Having rec letters can hurt your chances

[icelandelf]

Originally Posted by lrdavis5

I have heard recently from individuals currently active in 2 different big 10 school sororities (large) that rec letters can hurt a PNM. The word is that if they have ANY doubts about the rushee who has a rec letter, she is cut after the first round and actually gets more scrutiny than if she had no letter. This sounds like if she had not had a letter she may have gotten past first round and possibly gotten a bid later. Also, there are stories that the current members will make fun of the letters written as they review them. I'm sure that is understandable given human nature, but the letters don't seem to be taken seriously at all. Current members have commented that each girl should have an "equal chance," and that the rec letters are somehow "cheating." Maybe the nationals should re-educate current members about the value of loyalty through the legacy system. I know that a given legacy may not necessarily fit into a given chapter and should be cut, but to make it a disadvantage is not right. There are many alums who thoughtfully write letters for the purpose of helping the rushees, but maybe they should re-think this "help."

I truly do not mean to be unkind when I write this, but your entire post seems like you are digging for information. I'm making a leap here, but I think you are the one you describe in your own post who is attempting to rationalize why you may have been cut.

[APhiAnna]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

I truly do not mean to be unkind when I write this, but your entire post seems like you are digging for information. I'm making a leap here, but I think you are the one you describe in your own post who is attempting to rationalize why you may have been cut.

This was my guess as well (or maybe it is a PNM who is trying to reassure herself because she did not receive recs). In my experience I would say the opposite is true. I think at the larger schools women like receiving recs because it makes the compilation of party lists that much easier. At smaller schools receiving recs is irregular and therefore exciting. I can't think of a situation (except a "no rec" of course!) where a rec would hurt a woman. And, to be honest, the attitude of "every woman has an equal chance" is usually not an attitude present in sorority rush simply because every woman does not have an equal chance inherently (grades, recs, legacies, community service, talents...as well as more superficial aspects).