Should I mention my aunt was a memeber?

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Besides, mentioning that your aunt is a sorority alumna shows that you have knowledge about what Greek life entails.

You know, we always used to look at this. I originally came from a school with a small Greek life where people tended to transfer or leave school after a year or two. Then when you add in the women who didn't know what they were getting into, retention wasn't always a high percentage - across the board. So we considered it a "plus" that a PNM had Greek family members. It showed that they had at least a fundamental introduction to sorority life and probably were aware that it was more than just a club.

OP - there will be a place on your application to list family relationships to sororities. There has been much discussion over whether listing these relationships helps or hurts. (Hurts in that there is a possibility that some chapters will release you because they assume that you want to pledge the relative's sorority.) I can see both sides of the argument, and without knowing you or your school cannot give an opinion on your situation.

So I agree with the above posters when they say to get a rec from your Aunt. And be sure to get recs to all the other chapters too. Since you have a year and a half of HS left, you have plenty of time to build up that resume, gain leadership experience, make good grades, and have fun!

[ohsunny]

Originally Posted by jwright25

OP - there will be a place on your application to list family relationships to sororities. There has been much discussion over whether listing these relationships helps or hurts. (Hurts in that there is a possibility that some chapters will release you because they assume that you want to pledge the relative's sorority.) I can see both sides of the argument, and without knowing you or your school cannot give an opinion on your situation.

Last year, my sister went through rush but decided it wasn't for her (she's attending the same school I hope to). When she filled out the recruitment registration form it didn't have a spot for family Greek members. It only a spot for legacies and under that it had a place for either your Mother, Grandmother, or Sisters name. So what would I do then?

Originally Posted by jwright25

So I agree with the above posters when they say to get a rec from your Aunt. And be sure to get recs to all the other chapters too. Since you have a year and a half of HS left, you have plenty of time to build up that resume, gain leadership experience, make good grades, and have fun!

How soon is too soon to start looking for recommendations? Five out of the eleven chapters at the school I plan on attending, I have no connections with any alumnae. Would it be rude to ask my teachers and staff at my school if they know any sorority members or alumnae?

Thanks, you've been a lot of help.

[FSUZeta]

you can ask teachers(present and former), neighbors, friends of your parents, parents of your friends, your parents co-workers, members of your church.

incidentally, your greek aunt may belong to a city alumnae panhellenic association-if so she might have contact with members of other sororities and could help introduce you to those ladies. she may also have had college friends who are members of other sororities who could write a rec. to their sorority for you.

there may be an alumnae panhellenic association in your city. if so, they may host a recruitment information meeting. they usually hold these in the winter or early spring. you'll learn all about recruitment in general, with more in depth information on the colleges in your state. often they encourage attendees to bring a resume which they collect and then they assemble recommendations for the pnms. during your senior year, keep your eyes and ears open for one of these meetings. many of the alumnae panhellenics have websites where that information would be posted, and often they place a notice in the local newspaper.

it's not that important that all the sororities know that your aunt is a member of a sorority, so don't worry about the recruitment application. it is important that the chapter of her sorority know.

if any of the other sororities ask you you if any family members are members of greek orgs. you can certainly say that "your aunt is an "ABC", and listening to her college stories was a big reason that you wanted to go thru recruitment."

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by ohsunny

How soon is too soon to start looking for recommendations? Five out of the eleven chapters at the school I plan on attending, I have no connections with any alumnae. Would it be rude to ask my teachers and staff at my school if they know any sorority members or alumnae?

What I know about recs is almost entirely from Greek Chat. I have no personal experience with recs, so any GCers who are more familiar with recs, make any corrections.

Really, there is no such thing as too soon to ask around and find sorority alumnae. No, it's not rude. Sorority alumnae will want to help you out! You already have a good start if you know alumnae from 6 sororities. You don't need to ask them for a recommendation until you know for sure where you will be going. The more alumnae who know you personally, the better, so use now until April (or whenever you get that acceptance letter) of your senior year to simply find alumnae (and look for ones that may be at other schools you are applying to, just in case). April (or whenever you get the acceptance letter) is when I would ask alumnae to actually write the recs.

FSUZeta gave a good list of women to ask. I'd also ask your sisters' friends and friends' sisters, women from your job, female sponsors of activities, etc as well. And, don't forget men! If you know of any men in fraternities, they may know of sorority alumnae in your community. Also, some, but not all NPCs allow collegiate members from other chapters to write recs, so if you have friends in sororities at other schools, they may be able to write you a rec.

Many alumnae Panhellenics have deadlines for rec requests, and chapters may also want them well ahead of recruitment. They'll have less time to read them if you get a rec in the day before recruitment starts. Peruse the APH website/call/email the APH president for any deadlines, and note if any chapters have specific deadlines for recs on their websites. Request recs through APH only once you have exhausted your personal contacts. If you have at least 1 quality (ie alumna knows you very well) rec from XYZ, you don't need to ask the XYZs from APH for one.

[Thetagirl218]

The above comments hold some great advice! Keep in mind that your aunt can be a great reference, even if her sorority does not consider you a legacy! Just make sure your aunt's sorority is at the school/s you are considering. Unofournatly my Greek aunts' chapters were not at my school.

Also keep in mind other people that you know from all walks of life! FSU Zeta gave some great examples! I already have two girls I have taught graduating next spring who have asked me to consider writing them a letter of recommedation. Your place of worship and family friends are also great resources.
A personal example: at my college graduation party, I had some of my college stuff out for friends to view, including some of my Theta stuff. A family friend whom I had known for years came up elated that I was in a sorority and shared she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega! While my sorority home was at Theta, having known this would have been helpful when asking for recs. Always ask!