Should Sorority desires impact my college choice?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LadyDread2010

Now,I could say something crass and quite rude,but since you don't know me and I don't know you..I will not stoop to your level of immaturity. I offer my opinions fearlessly.

Ok that's all well and good.

However, it's not approprate for people who are NOT in sororities to give advice in sorority-related threads. You aren't familiar with what you're talking about and you're just saying stuff.

You can't tell someone that "they can just start their own sorority" because that's not something that can JUST HAPPEN. There's a process to it, and a new sorority can't just be started at a school such as UT- Austin.

No one is being rude, they're just saying that you should quit just spouting off stuff about sorority membership if you are not a member of one.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

You can't tell someone that "they can just start their own sorority" because that's not something that can JUST HAPPEN. There's a process to it, and a new sorority can't just be started at a school such as UT- Austin.

Oh c'mon KSUViolet! Just because there hasn't been a new NPC chartered here in almost 30 years doesn't mean some random non-Greek can't walk right into Panhel and start one on the spot. I mean, maybe no one has thought of it in all those years! Think positive! /snark

And please understand that we are The University of Texas. If you want to get technical, call us The University of Texas at Austin. Referring to our campus as UT - Austin really isn't the correct terminology and Longhorns can be kind of picky about it.

[Golden_Laurel]

Just for the record, I have NO intentions of trying to start my own sorority.

Just wanted that out in the open.

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

That's life in a nutshell. Sometimes decisions have to be made.

And I get that; really, I do. I'm just finding this decision INCREDIBLY difficult to make (for reasons other than GL as well, including $$ and being so far away from my family). I'm terrified of making the "wrong" decision and choosing the "wrong" college, or ending up in a college where I'm unhappy and isolated, even though I know the college experience will be what I make of it. I'm just all mixed up over this.

The good news is that IF I decide to go to UT and IF I decide to rush, many sorority alumni organizations have chapters in the area where I live, so I do have resources available for rec letters and general knowledge. The real test for me will be the actual events, though. I'm such a perfectionist and it's very difficult for me to contemplate rushing when a significant chance of failure exists; it's very difficult for me to take risks, and this is a HUGE one.

And you're right- I do have the opportunity to go to the school of my dreams. I should be so grateful for that.

Hope this post isn't too self-centered. I'm just thinking, hoping, considering...

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

I'm just all mixed up over this. Hope this post isn't too self-centered. I'm just thinking, hoping, considering...

No need to be concerned about being self-centered. That's your job right now. Three years ago, I had 2 daughters leaving for college at the same time and we through the same types of scenarios. It is very difficult to know what to do and not second guess yourself. You are going about it the right way, asking for advice from those of us who have been there. Please continue to post. There are many people on this board who are happy to help and lord knows we have plenty of opinions!

[Golden_Laurel]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

No need to be concerned about being self-centered. That's your job right now. Three years ago, I had 2 daughters leaving for college at the same time and we through the same types of scenarios. It is very difficult to know what to do and not second guess yourself. You are going about it the right way, asking for advice from those of us who have been there. Please continue to post. There are many people on this board who are happy to help and lord knows we have plenty of opinions!

Thanks. That kind of support really means alot to me. Greekchat is a great resource for GL info and I'm happy to have found it.

I have question (or two, or three) for any Texas pros out there. I just spent hours reading all the Texas threads on this forum, and I'm curious about a few things.

Does Texas really have "guaranteed placement?" That was mentioned in another thread, but it didn't make sense to me. Can anyone explain?

Do freshmen sorority girls live in the UT houses, or in campus housing? I filled out my housing application some time ago, but I'm just wondering.

Are there two exclusively Jewish sororities at UT? I am asking because that was also mentioned and I am not Jewish. Do they do a separate rush?

How many recs per house?

Any dress code tips? I'm trying to be positive!

Thanks to anyone who can answer...

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

Thanks. Does Texas really have "guaranteed placement?" That was mentioned in another thread, but it didn't make sense to me. Can anyone explain?

Yes, there is guaranteed placement here. As long as you maximize your options throughout the process by attending all the parties you are invited to and receive at least one invite to a preference party, you will receive a bid. Of course that doesn't mean you are guaranteed a bid to your top choice(s), but you will be placed.

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

Do freshmen sorority girls live in the UT houses, or in campus housing?

No, freshmen do not live in. (It's possible that some may be able to move in right away in the smaller chapter though since they could have some room available. I'm not 100% sure of that though.)

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

Are there two exclusively Jewish sororities at UT? I am asking because that was also mentioned and I am not Jewish. Do they do a separate rush?

There are two historically Jewish chapters on campus, AEPhi and SDT. As far as I know, their membership here is 100% Jewish although that is not the case nationally. AEPhi participates in formal recruitment. SDT has not for the last couple of years.

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

How many recs per house?

It varies depending on the group, but I would say you should aim to get one letter of support and one to two really good recs from alumnae who know you versus simple informational recs. At the very least, make sure to have at least one strong rec for each group.

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

Any dress code tips? I'm trying to be positive!

Recruitment is pretty dressy here (no matter what Panhel might tell you on the web site or in recruitment materials) and it is also VERY HOT! Whatever Panhel tells you to wear for a specific day, step it up a notch. You'll see lots of cute sundresses until pref which is cocktail type dresses. And since the houses are pretty spread out, you will be doing a lot of walking, so make sure your cute shoes are already broken in and comfortable. Most of all, look classy. Dress to impress women, not guys.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. I will tell you what I can.

[Golden_Laurel]

Thanks so much Lady Longhorn!

Sounds like I have some shopping to do. *grins*

[lyrelyre]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

Dress to impress women, not guys.

This is fantastic advice for any PNM at any university.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Golden_Laurel

Does Texas really have "guaranteed placement?" That was mentioned in another thread, but it didn't make sense to me. Can anyone explain?

All guaranteed placement means is that if you attend all events to which you're invited, and rank all Preference parties that you attend, you will receive a bid somwhere.

It may not be your #1 choice, but you will generally get a bid to one of the groups you rank.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

And please understand that we are The University of Texas. If you want to get technical, call us The University of Texas at Austin. Referring to our campus as UT - Austin really isn't the correct terminology and Longhorns can be kind of picky about it.

Didn't realize there was another school like this. Alabama folks cringe when someone says UA - Tuscaloosa! We are the University of Alabama. MAYBE add Tuscaloosa campus but please don't say UAT! It may be UAH (UA at Huntsville) or UAB (UA at Birmingham) but there is no UAT!

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Didn't realize there was another school like this. Alabama folks cringe when someone says UA - Tuscaloosa! We are the University of Alabama. MAYBE add Tuscaloosa campus but please don't say UAT! It may be UAH (UA at Huntsville) or UAB (UA at Birmingham) but there is no UAT!

I've had people ask me if UGA was for The University of Georgia at Athens. I've also had people ask me "which college?" when I said that I went to Georgia.

If I hadn't been geographically in the state of Georgia at the time, these might seem like reasonable questions.