Fear of cross-cut

LegallyBrunette · #1 12-15-2007, 04:46 PM

Okay, there are probably some posters on here who are better qualified to answer this question, but I'll take a stab at for now since I don't think any of them are signed in now...Basically, my understanding is that cross-cutting is a bit of a myth. If you were to pref two groups and list both on your bid card, the only way you wouldn't get a bid is if you were too low on BOTH groups' lists.

It sounds like you are at a school with a fairly small Greek system (or if not small, very communicative system) and you're concerned that one group may list you lower just because they think you're more interested in a different group for some reason, despite the fact they totally love you otherwise. Does that sound right?

I would suggest that if you think your friendships/past connections with a certain group will cause concern amongst the other orgs on campus, address it in a tactful way. For example, saying something like this:

"I'm really enjoying recruitment, especially being able to meet all the sororities. Before recruitment, I had a few friends in XYZ and that's all I really knew about Greek Life. Now I'm realizing that even though my friends are in XYZ, there are other groups I could fit in too... I've had a really good time at your parties."

Of course, bids are not guaranteed in any sitation, but making it clear that you're not already set on one group could help take that factor out of the equation. Just my $.02. Good luck!

txcutie · #2 12-15-2007, 04:53 PM

I would not say that the Greek system is small but it's definitely not huge either. There are 9 NPC sororities and the average pledge class is about 50 girls. However because it is deferred recruitment, girls in sororities have had the opportunity before they rushed to make friends with girls who are now in other sororities, and so there are many intertwined friendships. I'm not sure what the silence policy is during recruitment, at least at my school; are girls in ABC sorority allowed to talk to girls in XYZ sorority during silence? Also, when girls fill out preference cards, do sororities get to see these cards?

LegallyBrunette · #3 12-15-2007, 05:00 PM

That sounds pretty big to me, but then I went to a school with three NPCs where pledge classes topped out at 10!

But anyway, NO, the sororities do not get to see bid cards before compiling the bid lists (or at any time for that matter).

FSUZeta · #4 12-15-2007, 05:16 PM

i come from a school with fall recruitment-but honestly, we were way too busy with our own stuff to talk with members of other sororities during recruitment. we might have even had a rule that if you run into a member of another sorority, you just say "hello" and move on. i would be very surprised if the sororities are sharing information with each other.

pnms can end up with no bids, even if they attend the maximum number of parties, all the way thru prefs. it is rare, but it happens. the exception would be on those campuses where pnms are guaranteed a bid if they maximize their options. it is a matter of where the pnm ends up on the sorority's bid list and which position she ranks her choices. of course, if she is the #1 girl on all the sororities bid lists, then she's got it made!

your best bet is to maximize your options, and be openminded thruout recruitment. even if you already think where you have a favorite that you would fit in perfectly, your opinion may change as the week goes on.

if you have not already done so, read thru the rush threads posted in these forums.there are tips on what to say and when to say it, what to wear, etc. the stickies at the top of the recruitment thread are especially helpful.

i wish you the best of luck, and hope that you find the sorority that is right for you. please let us know how things go.