After Several Years: What Do You Think of the New Release Figures?

[Blue Skies]

One advantage to the old system is that from a PNM's point of view, you felt like each chapter was giving you a fair chance if they invited you back to the second or third round (whether they were actively considering you or not -- a PNM would have no way of knowing.) If a chapter dropped you after the third round, you could at least say, "Well, I met quite a number of the sorority's sisters, and for whatever reason they felt that I would not be a good fit." The perception of fairness was there, and PNM's were still able to meet, and form perceptions of the chapters that might eventually become their homes.

Under the new system, PNM's are more likely to receive heavy cuts early on. If a girl was cut from the majority of the chapters after the first round (as might happen in a very competitive rush,) I don't think I would blame her for being soured on the whole process. PNM's are always told to keep an open mind, but if a girl receives heavy cuts early on, her *perception* is that the chapters are not keeping an open mind about her. The process of recruitment becomes that much more confusing and painful for her. She might be forgiven if she never gave the few chapters which invited her back a second chance. If a PNM feels completely out of control of what seems to be an incomprehensible recruitment process, the quickest way for her to regain control is to drop out.

I'm not writing this to knock the new system, which I think has many virtues. I'm just not convinced that it presents the sorority system as a whole in the best possible light to PNM's.

[UGAalum94]

Blue Skies, I can totally see what you are saying and as a formal rush drop out myself, I agree with your assessment to some degree and can remember saying to someone at the time that I didn't feel any particular gratitude to the groups that cut me early.

BUT, I think it works better systematically for the groups to cut girls they really aren't serious about early on. It's better for the chapters to know who is willing to continue with the process even when they know who is really in the running than it is for them to get word only on pref day that many of their PNMs dropped.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

I'm not writing this to knock the new system, which I think has many virtues. I'm just not convinced that it presents the sorority system as a whole in the best possible light to PNM's.

It might not be the BEST light, but it is probably a truer light.

I mean, there are some chapters that have their pledge class picked out before rush even starts and barring some unforseen circumstances no one else has a snowball's chance in hell of getting a bid there. That's just the way it is and while it is daunting to the psyche, better to get daunted then to go through your whole college career (and then some) convincing yourself you were THISCLOSE to getting a bid at XYZ when you weren't anywhere near it.

I had a couple sisters who I think basically convinced themselves that if they would have held out for another semester, that a certain (more prestigious) sorority would have bid them. The fact of the matter is - NO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE. Maybe that's hard for them to accept, but knowing that group I know it is the truth.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That's just the way it is and while it is daunting to the psyche, better to get daunted then to go through your whole college career (and then some) convincing yourself you were THISCLOSE to getting a bid at XYZ when you weren't anywhere near it.

Maybe that's hard for them to accept, but knowing that group I know it is the truth.

I agree. The RFM is designed to make the larger chapters really think about their invites as opposed to inviting a bunch of girls whom they have no intention of bidding (or are really on the fence about). They make cuts earlier on, but I think it is much better for a PNM to be released by a group on day 1 or 2, as opposed to RIGHT before pref.

Some say the cuts are harsh, but such is life. It's a good lesson for PNMs to learn. It helps them to see that recruitment isn't OVER just because they don't get invites to the places they want.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I had a couple sisters who I think basically convinced themselves that if they would have held out for another semester, that a certain (more prestigious) sorority would have bid them. The fact of the matter is - NO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE. Maybe that's hard for them to accept, but knowing that group I know it is the truth.

This still happens. I cannot understand how they get this idea...especially since most of those girls were cut Day 1 or 2 by that group.