Alabama Sorority Rush Question

[Titchou]

I'm going to be very honest with you. Any parties you have to miss that day will mean that those groups will not invite you back to pref. There are just too many others for them to remember you from 2 days before and invite you to pref. You're only hope would be the groups you go to on Skit Day 1 - on Augist 13. If you are willing to take that chance, then by all means go ahead. The fact that you are from out of state has nothing to do with anything. Over 50% of the women who pledge at ALabama are from out of state.

You MUST have your recs though. That is a hard and fast rule here. You won't have any chance if you don't.

[33girl]

I've said this before and will say it again. WHY IN THE HELL DO THEY HAVE ORIENTATION SESSIONS DURING RUSH???

Not only is it awful for someone in the op's situation, but it seems to me that it's quite late and way too close to the beginning of the school year for orientation.

[WestcoastWonder]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've said this before and will say it again. WHY IN THE HELL DO THEY HAVE ORIENTATION SESSIONS DURING RUSH???

Not only is it awful for someone in the op's situation, but it seems to me that it's quite late and way too close to the beginning of the school year for orientation.

I'm not sure how orientation works at Alabama, but I really don't understand this either. At my school, we had 12 orientation dates from early June to late July and one a week before classes started which is also during rush.

But on the other hand, there could be out of state students who can't afford and/or find the time to go back and forth across the country for orientation AND come back when they have to move in.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by WestcoastWonder

I'm not sure how orientation works at Alabama, but I really don't understand this either. At my school, we had 12 orientation dates from early June to late July and one a week before classes started which is also during rush.

But on the other hand, there could be out of state students who can't afford and/or find the time to go back and forth across the country for orientation AND come back when they have to move in.

That's basically how it works at Alabama too. The two August sessions for freshmen are "final sessions."

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've said this before and will say it again. WHY IN THE HELL DO THEY HAVE ORIENTATION SESSIONS DURING RUSH???

Not only is it awful for someone in the op's situation, but it seems to me that it's quite late and way too close to the beginning of the school year for orientation.

Because not all freshmen go thru recruitment, my dear.

[33girl]

They don't? (Bugs Bunny voice)

I know that, but I would think that they could manage a way for women to not get stuck in this situation. Maybe asking on the enrollment application if the person is planning on rushing and if they are, automatically put them in an earlier session.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by 33girl

They don't? (Bugs Bunny voice)

I know that, but I would think that they could manage a way for women to not get stuck in this situation. Maybe asking on the enrollment application if the person is planning on rushing and if they are, automatically put them in an earlier session.

They do in that students can choose which orientation session they wish to attend. Likely many rising freshmen have considerations to plan around over the summer (including jobs, college classes, travel etc) that have nothing to do with recruitment.

If a student has only certain dates that she can attend, it is best to choose a session soon after registration opens. Registration for orientation opened in early February.

[dekeguy]

Honest questions from a guy who knows very little about the Alabama Sorority rush scene. What would be the big deal if she blows off orientation. It is apparent from your collective posts that missing a recruitment round IS a big deal so if the young lady is highly motivated to do her best in rush would it not be better to skip orientation than to skip recruitment activities.
Back in the Bronze Age when I was a freshman I was told that orientation was mandatory. So I skipped a personal invitation to a major social event and followed orders.
The orientation was a waste of time as I could have figured out most of what was put out by reading the printed fliers. The rest I could have picked up with a modicum of common sense and asking a couple of friends to fill me in.
Would those who are familiar with the process please comment and advise?
Many thanks!

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

Honest questions from a guy who knows very little about the Alabama Sorority rush scene. What would be the big deal if she blows off orientation. It is apparent from your collective posts that missing a recruitment round IS a big deal so if the young lady is highly motivated to do her best in rush would it not be better to skip orientation than to skip recruitment activities.
Back in the Bronze Age when I was a freshman I was told that orientation was mandatory. So I skipped a personal invitation to a major social event and followed orders.
The orientation was a waste of time as I could have figured out most of what was put out by reading the printed fliers. The rest I could have picked up with a modicum of common sense and asking a couple of friends to fill me in.
Would those who are familiar with the process please comment and advise?
Many thanks!

You obviously didn't read all the posts. You get your schedule at orientation.

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by Titchou

You obviously didn't read all the posts. You get your schedule at orientation.

I see what you mean, but I am still a bit confused. At every University with which I am familiar Orientation is when they show the nubies around and give them practical advice on life at XX University. Registration is where they take your money, if not already paid, issue you your ID card, and set up your class schedule. With a new freshman your schedule is pretty well fixed in stone with very minor differences depending on what you are shooting for: Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, etc. I don't recall much in the way of electives until sophomore year or maybe one or two in second semester. One was just handed a printout showing your classes and their meeting times and locations.
If in this case Orientation and Registration are combined I would think that a freshman's class schedule would be pretty much already set in stone and she could get it from the registrars office later. I think it really depends on where her priorities are focused.
As I said, I do not claim great knowledge of the system there so I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. If she really wants to rush would it not be possible for her to visit the registrar's office a day or so later and still accomplish both rush and registration?