Always good to list legacies? Sometimes not?

[Kansas City]

My experience is on the sorority side of things but I don't think that it huts you. My chapter based our recruitment on the individual and if we wanted another house's legacy we would actively persue them ("rush them hard"). It was almost a challenge for us (the non-legacy house) to see if we could convince someone join us instead of their legacy house. If you are a desirable PNM then being a legacy at another house should not matter.

[violetpretty]

I would *think*, and any fraternity members correct if I'm wrong, that it wouldn't hurt you even in the SEC to list a legacy for fraternity rush.

The reason it is a predicament for PNMs in sorority recruitment is because of the release figures. Some chapters are forced to cut half (or more) of the PNMs after the first round. The assumption (albeit unfair and often incorrect) is that the PNM will go to the legacy chapter (particularly if it is well-regarded) and that the other chapters shouldn't waste an invite on someone who won't end up at their chapter.

Since fraternities aren't bound by the same sort of numbers game that NPC sororities are, if you show interest in the chapters you are rushing, you'd be considered just like any other potential member. Mentioning that you are a legacy shows that you know about the commitment of fraternity life through your relative(s). Just don't talk too much about the legacy chapter; talk about what you are looking for based on your relative's experiences.

[ClassicUNC]

I would think hard before telling people about your legacy status.

I know that my chapter declined membership to perfectly decent individuals based on where their father, uncle, brother, etc were members. I know it is a real stupid practice, but I'm sure that we aren't alone in doing this...

The funny thing about it is trying to watch someone rationalize that you don't want "John" because his father was an "Alpha" thirty years ago and we would never associate with an Alpha, not realizing that Alpha was a strong chapter just ten years ago. Silly boys.

Originally Posted by ClassicUNC

I know that my chapter declined membership to perfectly decent individuals based on where their father, uncle, brother, etc were members. I know it is a real stupid practice, but I'm sure that we aren't alone in doing this...

Where they were members. You mean, bottom-tier chapters?

[ClassicUNC]

Originally Posted by OTW

Where they were members. You mean, bottom-tier chapters?

Not necessarily. Just 'different' chapters. Like I said, not my favorite practice.

Although I don't really recall ever asking if anyone was a legacy of any house (other than ours).