UT Austin for OOS PNM

[pinapple]

I won't comment any further on the LOCs because I feel that has been covered but will discuss the scheduling conflict with orientation. IMO, I feel this is a recruitment death sentence. Your daughter is already OOS, making the process a bit more difficult. Orientations earlier in the summer are great opportunities to meet active sorority women and provide an opportunity for your daughter to make connections prior to the sororities beginning their own "work weeks". Of course that is not the most important issue of this conflicting orientation. The biggest issue is her not being able to attend the parties. Yes, an absence for them is "excused". Let me clarify what the means on the streets. It's means she can continue though the process and be given the opportunity for a bid if she maximizes her options. BUT, she will have few if any options because the specific houses who do not get an opportunity to meet her have NO reason to use a crucial spot on their round 2 invite list for a person that was a no-show, excused or not.

You were not clear why she had to attend that last session. If it's because the other sessions are "full" it's time to stop taking "no" for an answer. Have her call and push for an earlier session. She could send an email too, but squeaky wheels will get the oil so polite but firm requests should yield the results she wants. If it's a cost prohibitive issue (less expensive to just fly out one time for the summer, etc and I am not saying this is the case, I just know some people feel this way) then a hard long look needs to be taken at the financials, posted and "hidden" of the cost of sorority life at UT. Hope this has helped.

[33girl]

Recruitment notwithstanding, I kind of question why they would schedule an orientation (even a "late" session) so late anyway?? Ours were at least a month in advance and this is at a school that's an ant to UT's elephant size.

Not to mention, I'm sure that there are sorority women who would like to be orientation leaders and can't because of this.

[pinapple]

The late orientation session has always been in place specifically targeting international students. Many come here without any parental involvement and it provides an opportunity to move into their dorm room and register for classes the week before. Without the late session some would not come to a session at all or be forced into paying for two international flights or wasting time on a student visa for which they would rather actually be studying.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by pinapple

I won't comment any further on the LOCs because I feel that has been covered but will discuss the scheduling conflict with orientation. IMO, I feel this is a recruitment death sentence. Your daughter is already OOS, making the process a bit more difficult. Orientations earlier in the summer are great opportunities to meet active sorority women and provide an opportunity for your daughter to make connections prior to the sororities beginning their own "work weeks". Of course that is not the most important issue of this conflicting orientation. The biggest issue is her not being able to attend the parties. Yes, an absence for them is "excused". Let me clarify what the means on the streets. It's means she can continue though the process and be given the opportunity for a bid if she maximizes her options. BUT, she will have few if any options because the specific houses who do not get an opportunity to meet her have NO reason to use a crucial spot on their round 2 invite list for a person that was a no-show, excused or not.

You were not clear why she had to attend that last session. If it's because the other sessions are "full" it's time to stop taking "no" for an answer. Have her call and push for an earlier session. She could send an email too, but squeaky wheels will get the oil so polite but firm requests should yield the results she wants. If it's a cost prohibitive issue (less expensive to just fly out one time for the summer, etc and I am not saying this is the case, I just know some people feel this way) then a hard long look needs to be taken at the financials, posted and "hidden" of the cost of sorority life at UT. Hope this has helped.

This. Although technically excused, missing any parties for an OOS PNM will be disastrous. She needs to find a way to be there if she wants any chance of a bid.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

Although technically excused, missing any parties for an OOS PNM will be disastrous. She needs to find a way to be there if she wants any chance of a bid.

This. Summer orientation sessions are pre-recruitment activities. You CANNOT wait to go to orientation once school has started. Please know, UT recruitment has its own set of rules and behind the scenes protocol. Just interpreting the recruitment clothing suggestions and then shopping for the outfits has sent mother/daughter duos into meltdown.

Also, I noticed you are working to find UT alumnae to write recs. I don't think this is a necessity - but I may be wrong. Please weigh in, UT Greekchatters.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

This. Summer orientation sessions are pre-recruitment activities. You CANNOT wait to go to orientation once school has started. Please know, UT recruitment has its own set of rules and behind the scenes protocol. Just interpreting the recruitment clothing suggestions and then shopping for the outfits has sent mother/daughter duos into meltdown.

Also, I noticed you are working to find UT alumnae to write recs. I don't think this is a necessity - but I may be wrong. Please weigh in, UT Greekchatters.

I don't think that's what she's saying. I think she means alumnae local to them that are members of sororities represented at Texas and know her and her family.

[pmdal]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

This. Summer orientation sessions are pre-recruitment activities. You CANNOT wait to go to orientation once school has started. Please know, UT recruitment has its own set of rules and behind the scenes protocol. Just interpreting the recruitment clothing suggestions and then shopping for the outfits has sent mother/daughter duos into meltdown.

Also, I noticed you are working to find UT alumnae to write recs. I don't think this is a necessity - but I may be wrong. Please weigh in, UT Greekchatters.

You do not need UT alumnae to write recs. If you are very good friends with a UT alumnae, it would be nice, but not necessary. Recommendations are necessary, though!