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!

[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."

[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.

[Stef the Pef]

When's your recruitment? If there's time to contact a local panhellenic and register for recs, by all means, do so! If not, I guess that's something to consider if you ever try rush again.

[LPIDelta]

Coming from a community college--she could be speaking of just about any public university in Texas because they are all going to seem large. They may not all cut heavy--they may not all follow the exact same process. You need to check that out. And at some schools, 23 may not be a big deal at all.

Gogreekorgohome: The advice on registering for recruitment is good and you should get additional info at that time--and your Greek Life staff can help answer your questions. If you have questions, send my a PM and I may be able to get you additional info....

[gogreekorgohome]

I had my orientation tonight for rush week... It went very well...i'd say about 200 girls were there. I spoke to my rho gamma and asked her the odds of a junior getting a bid and she shocked me!!!--she said my chances were very good b/c juniors aren't counted into the quota. that they have two to three spots (per sorority) set aside for juniors...kind of like a 'free' bid. they can choose to use... of course you obviously have to impress them... has anyone heard of this?? I'm VERY excited about my first day of rush tomorrow... off to bed now!

[NoleMom]

Everything sounds good - best of luck gogreekorgohome! Hope you enjoy your first day.

[BetteDavisEyes]

Have fun & good luck on your first day!

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by gogreekorgohome

that they have two to three spots (per sorority) set aside for juniors...kind of like a 'free' bid. they can choose to use... of course you obviously have to impress them... has anyone heard of this??

Yes. It's not completely uncommon, but not all schools do it.

Good luck.