totally LOST on the process...PLEASE HELP

[gogreekorgohome]

Hi,

I am a transfer student from an itty bitty community college to a large university in texas. I am VERY confused with the recruitment process. I read my university's website and understand we have three days to meet and get to know the different sororities... but, I get confused when it comes to cuts..how does that work?? Do all universities do a cut on each of these days? How does the cut work? Do you get a pie in the face or something?? LOL. And how do you know if you are invited back to the next event?? Also, I feel like my age may play against me... I'm a 23 year old junior with at least two years left towards my degree. I have a 3.0 so I'm hoping that may help me out... (not real sure of their gpa requirements) and i don't have any recs b/c i'm new the the area :-( any suggestions? I've always wanted to join a sorority....never had a sister, or any girl to call a 'best' friend since high school. i miss that!!

[AChiOhSnap]

1. Once signed up for recruitment, you will be placed with a Rho Chi (or Gamma Chi, or whatever....they all mean Recruitment Counselor) who will be your guide through this process. Don't be afraid to ask her anything -- except which houses are best/worst. She's a member of a sorority too, so try not to offend her. She's there for you so ask her about any questions/concerns you may have.
2. There will be a series of parties to which all rushing women are invited. After this series of parties, there will be invitation only parties. Sororities will issue invitations to individual women based on how well the members feel that each individual rushee will fit in their sisterhood. These invitations will be given to you in the form of a list or set of cards by your Rho Chi. It is a mutual selection process -- you will be able to go to a percentage of the parties you are invited to (sometimes you have to go to all of them...if you can go to a total of 11 parties but you are only invited to 8, you must go to all eight to stay in recruitment). If you are very uncomfortable with a certain sorority, you will eventually get the chance to decline their invitation to their party. However, in the early stages at least, sororities hold more power in the selection process. If you do not receive an invitation back to a particular sorority's party, then you are considered "cut" from that sorority. There are no mistakes. If Zeta Xi Gamma does not invite you back to a party, then ZXiG was not for you. Trust me. If you are cut, try to keep an open mind -- there are many sororites into which you may fit beautifully...think about all your options! Generally you will receive fewer and fewer invitations (all the while expecting to cut some sororites) until you ideally end up with a couple sororities who are willing to offer you a bid, or invitation to membership. There is a chance that you may end up with no bids, or many bids. Your Rho Chi can guide you through these scenarios.
3. As a junior, you are probably at an immediate disadvantage in a large Southern rush. I don't know the specifics of your school but most sororites like to give bids to women who will be financially active for four+ years (read: freshmen). Also, a 3.0 is not that high especially when compared to rushees who are coming of a 4.0 high school career. Sometimes this is the only criteria upon which a sorority can base it's decision. Also, you are 23 -- as old as most seniors. How well are you really going to fit in with a pledge class made up of mostly 18 year olds? I'm sorry to be a downer, but all of these things will be serious issues with some sororites. I do hope you are placed, but expect heavy cuts along the way. Best of luck to you.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

Definitely give it a shot, but if you don't get a bid anywhere, remember that you can join a sorority as an alumna after you graduate.

Keep in mind too that AI does not apply to every sorority and each one has their own requirements/qualifications for AI membership.

But If you dont get a bid I would also look into joining perhaps a non-collegiate sorority in your area such as Beta Sigma Phi or Epsilon SIgma Alpha.


FYI: I rushed and pledged my sorority at 22 with two years left before completing my first degree. Cuts were heavy for me after open house parties(I was cut by 4 of the 8) despite a high GPA and full load of community service and leadership positions/organizations under my belt, but I did end up with a full schedule for "skit night" and Preference Night. So I would encourage you to stay in recruitment as long as you can to maximize your options. YOu may end up getting a bid to join despite your age. You never know!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

Definitely give it a shot, but if you don't get a bid anywhere, remember that you can join a sorority as an alumna after you graduate.

Oh give me a break!

NO, AI is NOT a fall back option if you don't get a bid as an undergrad. PERIOD.

[irishpipes]

....

[WLFEO]

Some schools have separate quotas for juniors so they are not counted in the same "pool" of freshmen and sophomores.

[ImaDeeGee]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents...

I recently pledged in the Spring of '06...as a 23 year old. I beat up on myself because I was sure that I was "too old" to join a sorority. It ate me up on the inside, I actually made myself sick over this a few nights during recruitment. My head was telling me that I should just drop out and give up. But my heart was telling me something different. It kept pushing me forward. And let me tell you, I am so glad I listened to my heart because I found my home, my sisters, and my happiness!!

So the moral of the story...don't let your age discourage you! You are selling yourself too short.

Best of luck to you!!

[UCFStefanie]

I also when through recruitment as a 23 year old and had some of the same experiences as ImaDeeGee.

My invite list was always smaller than all of the others. I never had a full invite list but in the end it only takes one.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by OTW

At least she used different wording. She didn't use "There's always AI..."

There's also the ever-popular, "if greek life doesn't work out for you, you could always join some clubs."

[carnation]

Yay Pi Phi!!! Let's see, we have 7 chapters in the state. It couldn't be TX Alpha or Eta bc their campuses have more sororities than that. I think that Beta, Delta, and Zeta rush in the winter? So I guess either TX Gamma (Texas Tech) or Epsilon (North Texas).

[honeychile]

Congratulations to Pi Beta Phi's newest Angel!!!

[gogreekorgohome]

You are right, I go to UNT. You all have done your research!! LOL. Thanks for all the support...I'll update you later in the semester!!

[texas*princess]

lol

yea well since UNT is my alma mater, and I know they were doing recruitment last week, the number of sororities, and the "free" upperclassmen that don't count towards quota, that made me guess it was UNT.

You're going to have a wonderful time there! I transferred there after my sophomore year and it was a great school.

[dakareng]

Congratulations and welcome to the Wine and Blue! I had the privilege of visiting the UNT chapter last spring and I agree with you-- they are a special group of ladies. I wish you the best and thank you for sharing your story with us.

[adpiucf]

Congrats to you and Pi Beta Phi! Have a wonderful time with your sisters at UNT!