Northern Woman Getting Bids at an SEC School

[33girl]

There are lots of transplants in NoVa - I know that our alumnae chapter there is huge, for that reason. It has members from literally across the country (which isn't always the case w/ our alum chapters).

[FloridaTish]

When I was checking out the Alabama pledge list Carnation was kind enough to post the link to

Where was the Alabama Pledge list link that Carnation posted? I would love to see it!

[alum]

Nothern VA is definitely an eclectic place. It seems as if nearly everybody is orginally from someplace else. This isn't terribly surprising considering that the District is just across the river.

I have been a member of several of my sorority's alumnae associations across the country due to GEN Alum's reassignments. As a brand-new 2LT wife 3 weeks after graduation, I joined the Louisville alumnae association. They were the sweetest, most welcoming women. Most had graduated from UK with a couple of IU and Vandy grads as well. KC was like this as well where most of the members hailed from the state flagship schools. Other associations in Boston, Northern VA, and Westchester County, NY had alumnae from many areas.

Each of these alumnae associations has been wonderful in their own way. Whatever group my daughter joins this spring (if she even goes through recruitment at all) will hopefully have a strong alumnae network as I did.

[Speechpath]

I takes research and planning if you "aren't from around here" to know what to expect. I had a very similar situation, growing up in northern VA and going to UGA. Luckily, my brother had attended UGA and hooked me up with his friends who were greek. They were an invaluable source of information as to what to really expect. I'm not sure, if I hadn't had their advice, I wouldn've made it through rush. I must say, however, that I had several pledge sisters from out of state. I think it just takes education on your part to know what to really expect and I think in these situations, recs are really essential. My mother spent a good part of the summer getting one for every group on campus via any avenue she could.

[OleMissGlitter]

You see lots of out-of-state girls going Greek at Ole Miss. I know AOII has girls from CA, VA, NC, SC, PA, VT, NH...other houses are the same way. I think it is totally possible for a Notherner to have a wonderful recruitment.

[BamaDad]

The U of Alabama website lists the names by sorority for all 1,024. That is quite an impressive number. I understand there were over 1,400 who registered for recruitment. The site shows the hometown and state of each young lady.

[BamaDad]

The U. of Alabama had 1,024 new members (UA website). I heard there were over 1,400 young ladies that were registered by the first Open House. The site lists each by sorority, name, hometown and state.

[Zillini]

Here's a little explanation about Bama as I've seen in over the past decade or so. When I first started working with my Chapter there were very few out of state members. Those that we did have were usually "transplants" that had lived in Bama but their families moved. The others were from surrounding states of GA, MS, LA, FLA and TN. Usually they had some sorto of Bama ties as well such as maybe Mom or Dad were from here or went to school here, etc. But on the whole, it was a very small percentage of members that didn't live in Bama.

Seeing as I wasn't born and raised in Bama or even from the South yet was welcomed with open arms, of course I asked why? The answer was simple enough and had nothing to do with prejudice or anti-Yankee/non-Bama feelings. It was simply that the actives didn't know the girls. They were hesitant to take a chance on an "unknown" girl especially when there were so many "known" girls they already loved.

Then a few women from other states came through with spectacular resumes, sparkling personalities and had some friends that were able to vouch for them. It was like these women were able to break down the barrier. The actives started realizing that they had probably been missing out on amazing women by not looking beyond their own backyard. Things started to slowly open up.

Add to the mix that the University Admin has been steadily increasing the size of the student population over the past few years. Much of their recruiting efforts have been out of state, so obviously that has translated in more out of state women going through NPC recruitment. All of this combined has really started to open the Chapters up to members from all states.

I'll admit it's still harder on out of state women going through recruitment, but as we've all seen it's no longer impossible to get into a fabulous Chapter. Just keep in mind that at the same time it's also hard on a girl from Smalltown, AL who is the first person in her family to go to college, that doesn't know anyone who is Greek, etc.

[CutiePie2000]

BamaDad,
You and your family are a beautiful example of a rushee (and her family) who did not know any alumnae personally, and you got off your behinds, did your research, and DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT and are reaping the rewards from it.

There are way too many rushees who come onto GC and say "wah wah wah, I don't know any alumnae personally...please do the work for me to secure my recommendations for me!"

I LOVE PROACTIVE PEOPLE who create their own opportunities!

*MWAH*

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

BamaDad, your daughter is probably one of the girls on the list that inspired me to start this thread!

Congratulations to her; she's part of a wonderful sisterhood!

ha ha!! KillarneyRose,
When (not if) your daughter becomes a DG, she'll be part of a wonderful sisterhood also!

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

ha ha!! KillarneyRose,
When (not if) your daughter becomes a DG, she'll be part of a wonderful sisterhood also!

Hey, now! I still have seven years left to brainwash, er, I mean discuss the matter with, her

[PenguinTrax]

Originally Posted by FloridaTish

Where was the Alabama Pledge list link that Carnation posted? I would love to see it!

Actually, I posted it and it is in the top-level Recruitment forum.

[tunatartare]

I don't know if Vanderbilt is considered SEC or not, but the daughter of a woman that I work with is a Tri Delt there.

[AUDeltaGam]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I don't know if Vanderbilt is considered SEC or not, but the daughter of a woman that I work with is a Tri Delt there.

It is

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I don't know if Vanderbilt is considered SEC or not...

(Except during football season!)

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

Actually, I posted it and it is in the top-level Recruitment forum.

Oops, sorry Barb!!! You know, you Recruitment Mods all look alike