VTMom

[WVU alpha phi]

I know a couple people who are Greek at Virginia Tech. I don't think a rec is necessary, but it never hurts just to give a little heads up to your daughter! My chapter usually receives a couple recs a year (not a big thing here at WVU) and our Rush Chair always gets excited and reads them outloud to us. Bottom line, I don't think a rec at VT is necessary, but it's a good introduction for your daughter.

PS, from what I hear, Alpha Phi has an amazing chapter at Virginia Tech!

[VeniceIsSinking]

Go Hokies! I have a lot of friends at Virginia Tech and many are involved in the NPC sororities. They all love their sororities and the greek program there is fabulous. I asked some of my friends about what rush is like there for you and they said it's very competitive but all of the girls absolutely love it! They will have lots of fun events planned for the girls that will keep them busy! I strongly suggest you have your daughter read some of the threads available on this forum about rush- they will help her immensely to stand out above the rest.

Just wait 'til you go to those Hokies football games- it will be an incredible experience!

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

PS, from what I hear, Alpha Phi has an amazing chapter at Virginia Tech!

I didn't think shameless plugs were being allowed again.

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by OTW

I didn't think shameless plugs were being allowed again.

Definitely wasn't pushing her daughter towards my sorority, just mentioning that I'd heard through friends I know who go there/have visited that it's pretty great. I know girls from home in other sororities at Tech, too, sorry I didn't feel the need to spout off every single one that I knew somebody in.

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

PS, from what I hear, Alpha Phi has an amazing chapter at Virginia Tech!

It better be amazing for the $816 for first semester dues!

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by Heather17

It better be amazing for the $816 for first semester dues!

Wow yeah that is pretty costly, our first semester dues are usually $600-700. Do most of the sororities at VT has first semester dues that pricey?

[VTMom]

No longer wish to post

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

Wow yeah that is pretty costly, our first semester dues are usually $600-700. Do most of the sororities at VT has first semester dues that pricey?

I took a quick look at them earlier, APhi is the most expensive but most of the mare in the $600-$700 range...which to me is still very pricey!

My NM dues were around $325 and we were the most expensive on campus

[GeekyPenguin]

Once again, it all depends on what you're getting for the dues - that could include meals, all parties/swaps/formals/banquets, favors and shirts from all those parties/swaps/formals/banquets, your pin, etc.

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

Once again, it all depends on what you're getting for the dues - that could include meals, all parties/swaps/formals/banquets, favors and shirts from all those parties/swaps/formals/banquets, your pin, etc.

Agreed. We have one of the more expensive first semester dues on campus, but they also cover 3 date parties, one semi formal, one formal (including bus transportation), rush t-shirts, and a lot of other things that most sororities ask their girls to pay for outside of dues. My freshman year it used to be "we're having a party with Pike on Thursday, everyone pitch in $3", so I like it much better this way.

[Drolefille]

And sometimes the chapter with the most expensive first semester dues has the cheapest dues for the rest of your active membership. SK was like that on my campus. We were 6-7 maybe for the first semester but my junior and senior years dues were only 300 a semester.

[VTMom]

no longer wish to post

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by VTMom

OK -- All this talk about $$$$$$$$$$$$$ sent my back to the Va Tech Panhellenic Website. I have read the information several times now. Each group seems to have different amounts of money they require. But the parents' guide wants me to ask "What are the costs, including bid acceptance dues, pin fees, new member fees, member dues, and parlor fees?" (What in the heck is a parlor fee?) Usually, what is the total cost per semester? My husband and I are not millionaires for sure. We have saved for college, so that is not a problem, but all the extra this may cost may be a bit taxing. Who do I ask about this before hand? And the same site encourages my daughter to "to research the chapters to find a good fit. Help her decide which chapter would provide the greatest degree of opportunities." I have pretty much exhausted the Va Tech site and have looked at each sorority's individual web site (I could only find 13, and one sorority Pi Beta Phi did not have a working local website) All the groups seem like they have such pretty, happy girls all involved in such worthwhile things! But how does she research them? Can she visit with them when she gets to college? I learned from the Va Tech website that they have their recruitment in the spring semester. So can she meet them in the Fall? I know I probably sound silly to all of you, but this is so foreign to me!!

During recruitment, your daughter should be asking the sororities (if this information is not automatically presented by the Treasurer/VP Finance) about the dues. This is not a rude question and the sororities are prepared to answer it. There is no "general" amount of money per semester, but suffice it to say, it seems like your daughter should be prepared to pay several hundred dollars ($500-900) the first semester and a few hundred dollars every semester thereafter. Your daughter can also ask whether or not the fees are all inclusive, or if there are extra costs she should be aware of.

Unless there is some specific clause on the VATech campus that precludes freshmen from going, sororities will often have open houses or something of that ilk in the fall. Sororities host tons of philanthropic events, this would be a good way for your daughter to support a good cause and meet the soroity women before recruitment. Panhellenic will also sometimes sponsor philanthropic/social events with all the sororities, these are another good option. And of course, your daughter can try to meet sorority women in her classes, athletic teams, campus events, etc. This is the best "research" your daughter can do to familiarize herself with women in the various chapters.

Your daughter can research the sororities by going to the various national websites. On the national websites she'll get information like the sororities' various mission statements, philanthropies, etc. All of this information could be potentially useful.

You're doing everything right already. Your daughter will be getting more of this information in time, some of this stuff she won't know until she's actually on campus. You probably don't need to figure all of this stuff out in advance. The best thing you can do is to just be there for your daughter... you can best help her by listening and counseling her through what can be a crazy, sad, exciting, stressful process. Have fun!

[LPIDelta]

I am certainly not saying that the costs are not worth it--the group cited was the most costly for first semester and the average dues per semester for actives was also among the highest. VTMom--you are right to ask questions, and, as others have indicated, the dues may include all kinds of "extras". This eliminates the need to pay for things as you go, which can be very helpful when trying to stay on a budget. Also, many organizations offer payment plans so that is something to consider. All the dues were listed on the VT Panhellenic (NPC) website.... someone provided the link earlier.

Best of luck to you and your daughter. There were some great recruitment story threads last year....from BamaDad DZ and TexasMom (I think that's right). Read and enjoy!

[MSKKG]

Generally, the 1st semester dues for new members are the highest because of all those one-time fees like their badges. KKG does not assess, so whatever the dues are that are listed would be the bottom line. Of course, optionals like T-shirts and pictures are not included.