Rushing as a Junior (Yes, I know... embarassing)

[VandyDG]

Much of this you already know, either from reading other threads or from knowledge of recruitment at your school, but given your last post I think it needs to be emphasized. First of all, as expressed above, it is not embarrassing to go through recruitment as a junior. Kudos to you for going through the process.

However, in reading this most recent post, it concerns me that you are entering with notions regarding "the" sorority to be in and "the" sorority to ignore. This bias could hurt you at any age but particularly as an upperclassman. (Moreover, these "tiers" fluctuate with time and really depend on who you are talking to.) The truth is you are at a potential disadvantage for some chapters. While it's not, in my opinion, "right," you may be cut after the first round simply because of your age and thus limited to a only few other chapters. It certainly doesn't make these chapters "less appealing" for their willingness to look beyond your age and to get to know your true character!

Every chapter and every national organization can offer you an incredible experience if you are willing to give it the chance. The only "polite" way to say "no" to a chapter is to rank it at the bottom of your list. I would strongly advise you that in trying not to "give that chapter an inch" you may come off as rude or otherwise conceited. It is very easy to tell when a girl is not interested in your chapter--and trust me when I say those girls will not forget your face much less your name for that attitude. It's possible to make friends during recruitment, but it's definitely possible to make a really poor impression, too.

If you end up receiving a bid to a chapter you will not feel at home in then, by all means don't sign the bid card! but before making that decision, make sure to think carefully about why you are choosing to reject the offer--is it because you really don't feel the chapter would offer you the experience you seek? or is it because it's not the "top" chapter on campus?

In the end, remember that at your (potential) initiation, you will not be joining an organization for the next 1.5 years of your college career. You will be joining for life. Isn't that more important than the 2007 reputation of ABC and XYZ chapters at Lehigh?