Out of State Could This Hurt My Chances?!?!?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MI_made032

Will deff start looking for recs thank you! As for the 2nd part of my question. People I've talked to in the past and other posts I've seen on this site mostly say, knowing a current sorority member that goes to ur school will MAJORLY help ur chances of getting a bid so that they "can vouch for u". If i dont know any current members at my college won't this hurt my chances?!?!

I don’t think people expect an OOS freshman to know people in the chapters. That advice is more for sophomores or juniors who are rushing. They have had 1-2 years on campus to get to know women in sororities and so if they haven’t, it makes them look antisocial or uninvolved.

[navane]

Originally Posted by MI_made032

Will deff start looking for recs thank you! As for the 2nd part of my question. People I've talked to in the past and other posts I've seen on this site mostly say, knowing a current sorority member that goes to ur school will MAJORLY help ur chances of getting a bid so that they "can vouch for u". If i dont know any current members at my college won't this hurt my chances?!?!

Oh ok. Sorry about that - I can see how our advice there could be confusing for you. Like 33girl said, we are usually directing that advice more towards sophomores, juniors and seniors, especially when they are rushing for a second time. That advice *might* also apply to second semester freshmen who are rushing in the spring. But for a brand new freshman? Not as much.

When we say that you want members in the chapter who will "vouch for you", we don't really mean that one sorority member could sway the whole chapter in your favor because she met you during a campus tour. I can't get into specifics because our membership selection procedures are secret; but, one woman generally can't vouch for you and get you a bid. What we're really trying to say here is that, if some sorority women know you from a class, and you're always a friendly student, good contributor in class, etc, then it leaves a good impression and they will remember you well later when they see you at recruitment.

However, as a first-time out-of-state freshman, your only chances to interact ahead of time are at places like the sorority tables during the campus club fair during new student orientation or the first week of school. So, as TXDG said, one of the sorority members might remember you as that really nice girl that stopped by the club fair table.

I hope this helps!

[Titchou]

And that's also what a rec does for you. A member is vouching for you, calling the chapter's attention to you,announcing that you are coming and are wonderful! Get those recs.

[AXOrushadvisor]

A recommendation is an introduction of you to the Chapter. It puts you on the Chapter's radar. A recommendation can never hurt you and can only help you. My school says that recs are not necessary but most chapters will courtesy invite you back to round two which gives them the opportunity to meet you again and gives you a second opportunity to look at the Chapter. Also, consider what some Universities do with grades. Some take years 9-11 only and some give the Chapters core class grades only. With a recommendation that information is listed on the form so the Chapter can use that GPA and not what the university is publishing for the Chapter use.

[DubaiSis]

In all of my research, oos gals really don't have a tougher time getting into a sorority at any school. But there are SOME chapters that you have basically zero chance. Don't go in with expectations about best or even acceptable chapters. Be open to all of them, be prepared and you'll likely be just fine.

And get your recs.

[irishpipes]

I think this conversation has swayed too far in the "having someone to vouch for me doesn't matter" direction. Even for freshmen, having friends inside a chapter is a HUGE advantage. If you were on the high school cheer squad or volleyball team or whatever with a current sorority active, that is a BIG factor (positive or negative!) Those actives know before recruitment even begins if that chapter wants you or not. If you are OOS, you are extremely unlikely to have those advantages (or disadvantages.) That being said, not every in-stater will have those developed connections either.

However, you can't change it, so control what you can. Get recs. Be nice to people. Smile. You'll find friends.