Schools where you absolutely positively need recs

[NWGreek]

This may not belong here, but can you have to many recs? We seem to know a lot of women, who have generously offered, enthusiastically, to write recs for my daughter. However; we seem to know a lot for 1 house in particular. Is it wrong if she has, for example, 4 for this one house? Several are recent graduates, we also have women about my age (parent). It is a house my daughter would love to join from what she knows at this point in the process. It is a fairly competitive recruitment, but nothing like IU of course.

[Titchou]

In Texas, no. Anywhere else, maybe. Not knowing the campus, and I understand your reluctance to say, 2-3 could be just fine and a mix of new and older alumnae.

[NWGreek]

Thanks! And it is true what folks say on here, while I wasn't Greek, almost every woman I meet who learns where my daughter is going to college, asks if she is interested in sorority recruitment and when I say yes, they offer to write her a rec. I thought at first it would be hard to find people and awkward to ask - but everyone has been so kind and generous. This sorority sisterhood thing is impressive.

[Titchou]

That it is!

[mumom]

You left MIZZOU off your SEC list. With the second largest recruitment in the country, you absolutely need recs there. It's one wildly competitive recruitment!

[Sciencewoman]

Missouri is on there, it's just under its old conference.

[ImJustAMom]

In the Mizzou recruitiment thread, 33 girl stated that if addresses are given, then recs are needed. At my daughters future university, this is stated:

If someone is writing a letter of recommendation on your behalf for a specific chapter, please have them contact the local chapter directly and address the letter to the Recruitment Chair of the respective chapter. A list of mailing addresses is below for your use. Letters of recommendation are not required for *** University’s Panhellenic Sorority Formal Recruitment.

Followed with Addresses.

Needed or not? Would 1 per house be sufficient? You have us listed as up for debate. Thanks!

[Titchou]

If we have it listed as up for debate, you're better off with than without. And the U doesn't require them. It's the national orgs that do or don't and whether or not the local chapter adheres to that requirement. At the more competitive campuses - SEC for example - it's required because their recruiitment is so big that the chapters can't solicit them all so they put the onus on the PNMs.

[Happy Alum]

I noticed Sorority Sugar has information at the bottom of the page for potential new members needing recommendations.

[sissyintexas]

Baylor should be on there.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by sissyintexas

Baylor should be on there.

Are you talking about the sorority sugar info or this thread? Because Baylor is listed on the very first post here.

[ComradesTrue]

Bump for 2016!

"Time to write the recs.." (said like the Dunkin Donuts ad "Time to make the donuts.."

[FSUZeta]

I heard it in that voice!

[ComradesTrue]

I am part of the Alumnae Panhellenic in our town and we just had our sorority information session for the high school seniors. A few things that came out of that for any 2016 PNMs or moms who may be reading:

1. When we say "absolutely positively" need recs it is based on what is the campus norm for that particular school. If over 75% of the PNMs are voluntarily submitting their own recs then you are at a disadvantage without one.

2. If over 75% of the PNMs are voluntarily submitting their own recs then the chapters have more than enough PNMs to choose from when selecting their new member class. They will not need to spend time chasing down a rec for you during the busy summer months.

3. For some chapters those without recs become easy cuts (along with GPA) for first round. No rec could very well mean no invite to the next round.

4. Some organizations require a rec in order to receive a bid.

5. If you cast a wide enough net you WILL find the alumnae to write for you. Ask everyone you know, make a Facebook post, and then when you find one writer ask her if she can point you to someone who is in any group that you are missing.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by ComradesTrue

I am part of the Alumnae Panhellenic in our town and we just had our sorority information session for the high school seniors. A few things that came out of that for any 2016 PNMs or moms who may be reading:

1. When we say "absolutely positively" need recs it is based on what is the campus norm for that particular school. If over 75% of the PNMs are voluntarily submitting their own recs then you are at a disadvantage without one.

2. If over 75% of the PNMs are voluntarily submitting their own recs then the chapters have more than enough PNMs to choose from when selecting their new member class. They will not need to spend time chasing down a rec for you during the busy summer months.

3. For some chapters those without recs become easy cuts (along with GPA) for first round. No rec could very well mean no invite to the next round.

4. Some organizations require a rec in order to receive a bid.

5. If you cast a wide enough net you WILL find the alumnae to write for you. Ask everyone you know, make a Facebook post, and then when you find one writer ask her if she can point you to someone who is in any group that you are missing.

I agree with you on everything, except....in some areas, there are just no alumnae to be found in certain sororities (for instance, a sorority in that state is only a few years old, or there have been no chapters in that section of the country for many years.
If you absolutely, positively have tried your best to find somebody and can't after a couple of months, give it up. Do, however, at least send your info to the sorority's national HQ and ask for help. Sometimes that works.