Recruitment at U of Alabama

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by soccerchick24

That is crazy poor planning on the school's part.

I agree 33girl, but the University has scheduled Alabama Action this way for a very long time. Panhellenic has compensated for it though. On the 1st night of round 1 there will be a "Meet & Greet" where each sorority sends 2-3 reps to meet these PNMs.

Last year Panhellenic expanded this event from just the AA, band members, etc. to include any PNM who will miss a day or a significant number of parties during Recruitment. It's conducted similarly to a party round. PNMs will be divided up into groups and will move around to each of the sorority reps. After a certain period of time each PNM group moves to the next group of sorority reps. It worked well and I assume Panhellenic will continue this plan.

[ASTalumna06]

soccerchick - you seem to be relying heavily on either Alabama Action or Recruitment to make your friends for you. Trust me - this will not make or break you socially in college. Of course everyone wants to make friends going into college, but most of them don't make those friends the week before freshman year starts. Regardless of whether or not you go to AA, or you receive a bid to a sorority, you will meet A LOT of people in just the first few weeks of school - in classes, in the dorm, etc. Keep in mind that every other freshman on campus is new, just like you are.. and just like you, they are looking to meet new people and make friends.

All I'm saying is, don't make this decision because you think that if you don't participate in AA, and don't receive a bid, that you'll also go without any friends to start college.

[kchaptergphib]

I do not have personal experience with Bama recruitment, but that said, I have some general comments/advice:
When getting those recs (remember, we're thinking 2ish for each chapter), use the alumnae to prep for conversation. She likely didn't go to Alabama, but she likely HAS had many conversations with PNM's (or "rushees" at the time) about topics you'll be covering. You will want to be comfortable enough to be able to talk to a brick wall, haha.
See if there is a local Alumnae Panhellenic in your area. You'd be surprised that there are active APH groups outside the South Boston, for instance, comes to mind. Like I said, there may not be 'Bama alumnae in the group, but they will do their best to prepare you for an SEC Recruitment!
I imagine there will be A LOT of PNM's from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, throughout the Southeast & South. You won't be from one of the cities many others are from- Atlanta, Mobile, wherever, so they won't know your prep school, church, country club, etc. BUT they will likely remember you because you are the one person from Ithaca or Philly or wherever.
I would skip the Honors School week and to Formal Recruitment instead, and here's why:
I don't see that as "not putting school first." I see that week as really the only time to participate in Fall Formal Recruitment your Freshman year, and something I would not advise you to miss at Bama. Also, I feel that you would meet many students from the Honors program in your classes, would you not? You'd all be in classes together, right? I mean, a few of them will have already met each other, in that week prior to classes, but I don't see why you couldn't make up that program/college-specific socializing in the first few weeks.
Best of luck to you, and, again, this is Northern Yankee Big Ten alumna giving advice so a Bama lady's advice would likely trump me as it's more school-specific, but I thought I had a few points to add.
Happy school hunting, and enjoy your last semester of high school!

[Bamarox]

If you are planning to go through recruitment I strongly advise AGAINST participating in Alabama Action. It conflicts with the recruitment schedule, you WILL NOT be able to meet the active members of the different sororities. You will be at a disadvantage. I work with rush every year and have never understood why these two events were scheduled at the same time.