Originally Posted by Lettered
So I thought I would come out of lurking to explain it the best I can.
The NPC PNM does research, especially in what is known as "competitive" recruitment. However, the research is not on the colors of each sorority and their mascot, the research is about the process. So the PNM will learn what a rec is, how to get one, from who, what the different stages of rush are, that they are not "cutting" chapters, etc. They learn that if they want to be a part of Greek life, often times it may not mean getting the chapter of their dreams.
And let me take a moment to emphasize the chapter piece. For NPHC, you can pretty much give the "national" identity of the Divine 9, even if you were to (correctly) identify it as a stereotype. In NPC, this works differently. So the "super studious not that into make up" chapter might be ABC at University One, and the "party animals" are XYZ, but at College Two the stereotype may be the complete opposite. So in NPC, you will see the chapter connection stressed. The connection you make when you meet the members in recruitment, because those women become your sisters. This may also factor into why a legacy PNM may shy away from a chapter, despite the family connection. The PNM is looking for their personal "fit" and "home", not that of their mothers.
In NPHC, the international sorority (usually) is stressed. So that it does not matter what the "reputation" is at University One or College Two---based upon your research you identify what resonates in you and you pursue that. And if you are an "awful" fit for that chapter, it is stressed that the sisterhood is for a lifetime and that (hopefully) more time will be spent as an involved alumnae than as an involved collegiate. Just like for PNMs who are told in large chapters of hundreds of women you should find someone to connect with, a NPHC legacy may receive a similar message that the members on campus are only a small percentage of a larger organization and if you decide to join a sorority, your legacy should be the choice. The NPHC version of "maximizing your options" is doing your research to be a strong applicant and like NPC this is a mutual selection process, so legacy counts for "something" but not everything. That is why the graduate intake is a well known option, and many members include those who tried....and tried again.
That graduate option is not pervasive in NPC, and a stroll into the AI forum can discuss that at greater length. That is why it is stressed to the PNM to maximize their options in formal recruitment, and while COB may be a chance, it does not necessarily insure a bid. So recruitment is your best shot to join a sisterhood, as all the sisterhoods are formed or shared values and moral ideals.
So does that help? Both the NPC PNM and the NPHC aspirant, should do research on what the intake process entails for their organizations, though the research process is often very different, not good vs bad, just different. And the recruitment process vs membership intake process address those differences in research. So just like a PNM should not wear a Pref dress to Round 1 and not expect a few stares, an aspirant should not go up to a member and say they are turning in an application to all the NPHC sororities on campus and hope to make one of their lines. It just doesn't work that way.
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