Help Phrasing a Question

[Sciencewoman]

Rush is the "old" term, which has been replaced with recruitment, but they're the same. New member is also the same as the former term "pledge" and the old "rushee" has been replaced with Potential New Member (PNM). You'll still hear the old terms used informally, or by alumnae that may not be hip to the newer terms, or who prefer the old terms.

As far as the questions, I'd avoid being too intense. It's unlikely members wil know exactly many sisters are in each major, and while they can speak to their own study hours/scholarship program, they likely won't know how it compares to other groups' programs. You don't want to put them on the spot during a converstion by grilling them with questions they can't answer. "What is your scholarship program like," and "Do you know of any sisters in my major" would be fine. Definitely don't ask if they only take "easy majors" or anything else that is potentially insulting!

[33girl]

And honestly, raw numbers will tell you nothing. Yes there might be 40 engineering majors in the chapter when you pledge, but they might all be seniors graduating in December (extreme example for effect).

You're thinking of networking through the sorority in a very very limited way. The person who gets you your first job might not be someone who had anything to do with your major, but might be someone in a major completely opposite from yours who put you in touch with people in your field of study. You'll be happier if you join a group of girls that you truly have affection for who can help you with all aspects of your life, rather than just trying to find people in the same major as you.

[violetgeek]

Just to echo 33girl, you want to join a group who can help you in all aspects of life, not just your major. And you will probably end up with several different study groups during your undergrad years. As you get to know people in your major, you'll figure out who you can work with and who has complementary skills to yours -- they may or may not be sisters.

Personally, getting advice on courses for people outside my major was just as helpful -- having someone tell me to "take Dr A for Stats he is easy and everyone gets an A" vs "take Dr B, she is hard, but you'll really learn what is needed for the future" -- very helpful. The chapters are huge at A&M, you'll have good role models who balance their social and educational lives and those people don't have to be in your major -- and they'll be some bad role models too, learn from their mistakes.