re-rushing as a sophomore @ UF

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by minDyG

If you were allergic to spray tans, nobody would force you to get one. In fact, if you were opposed to getting a tan by any method, you wouldn't be forced to. I can't speak for other schools or other chapters, but our VP: Membership did include having a tan as part of our recruitment apparel; while this was the expectation it was more a part of the "whole picture" of looking your best. Most girls look their best with a healthy color, not pasty white skin. If girls in our chapter were naturally ivory-skinned (as some were!), they were not expected to have a "tan." Most girls in the South tan of their own accord anyway, whether at a tanning bed or just laying out. So it's not so much an encouragement to do something unhealthy, just to look your best for recruitment.

And here's the rub, why am I branded UNHEALTHY because I am rocking my God/genetic given skin color? I may be potentially healthier in the long run for just embracing how I look as I am. So I am pasty white and don't look my best? This really needs to move to another thread, but all the talk about healthy glow and looking good while not being one's natural authentic self blows my mind. I'm not saying women at my school don't lie outside and tan, but I don't understand why it is suggested to change one's appearance because it looks healthy, or perceived as better. I don't see why skin color is so important to looking good and feeling good at recruitment, especially when it can come with a health risk. I can't imagine anyone telling people to color their hair or get colored contacts, so why is changing the color of the largest organ of one's body acceptable? How are we fostering self esteem and acceptance (since we preach it) if this is something encouraged by chapters. To use the cliche saying it is almost like "you're perfect! now change!"

I'm just trying to point out that it seems to not jive with what we're really about or trying to live, and I never even thought about it until you ladies started sharing that it happens. I hear plenty of people say "I need color" and implying they don't have any since they check the Caucasian box, when in fact we're all varying shades of skin color.

Original Poster: maybe you should forgo the tanning so you stick out and you're more memorable Think of all the time and money you'd save

[kddani]

This goes way beyond a neat, healthy, clean, put-together appearance. This is going way too far.

Being told to change your god-given skin color is absurd and quite frankly offensive. My ethnic background is Irish, Polish and German. I don't tan. I burn and freckle. I don't look right with a tan from a bottle or machine- it's not flattering! There's not a damn thing I can do to help and/or change that.

What's next, are we going to tell our darker skinned members (of various ethnic backgrounds) to apply skin-bleaching cream so that the meet some sort of ridiculous ideal?

[annabella]

If you really are opposed to laying out in the sun (I tan pretty easily, but see waaaay too many people my age forming wrinkles—and I'm 22!—so I usually rock an SPF30) but still want a tan, spray tanning is actually pretty easy. Make sure you're taking care of your skin before you do it. Get enough water, moisturize, exfoliate, etc. Half the time people turn orange or streak it's because their skin is too dry.

If I'm getting a spray tan from a machine, I will ONLY use the Mystic brand, and then their MyTan machines. Make sure you get the kind that goes on clear, because that bronzer stuff just looks nasty. Also, don't get sprayed right before your event if you're worried about being too tan. Go like two days before, just to ensure 1)you're used to it and 2)if it does come out orangey for some reason, it has time to fade. If you take care of your skin it should last about 10 days or so.

You could also always get someone to airbrush you; when a person is in control of the color thing you're less likely to become a tangerine.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by annabella

You could also always get someone to airbrush you; when a person is in control of the color thing you're less likely to become a tangerine.

I did that before my wedding. I went a week before to see how it would turn out and if I would like it, and then went a second time the day before. It made my skin look so natural and glowing! I have recommended it to several friends before weddings and other events and all of them cant say enough good things about it.

[baci]

Back on topic here -

UF15, it is too difficult for anyone to tell you what your chances are for this recruitment and for receiving a invitation to an organization of your preference. You will face a tough recruitment based on your class standing alone. There will be many factors that go into membership selection from those you worked hard for like your grades and activities to other factors that I don't want to bring up at this time. (I am not going to open up a wild discussion that will not get you any closer to receiving a bid at UF - that is pointless) Do your very best to prepare for this recruitment and I hope that you are successful. I know what you are facing at UF and I understand somewhat of how you may be feeling right now.

Best of Luck to you!

[ufpiphi]

To the OP:
Baci is right on, you will face a difficult recruitment because of your class standing but if you go into it with an open heart and a willingness to accept the variety of sisterhoods UF sororities offer, you will find a home. Listen to sound advice from sorority women and prepare physically and mentally for recruitment. It's not an easy week but it is most certainly worth it.
Best of luck!

[FSUZeta]

i agree - there is no stigma with a pnm having an AA from a community college. the negative, as seen by some chapters is that, in most cases, the pnm would have only 2 years to contribute to the collegiate chapter.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

My daughter will be rushing as a junior at a competitive southern school. She is transferring from a community college. She is a legacy to two of the top tier sororities on campus. Will her junior status make it difficult for her to be pledged?

In short: YES.

At most competitive schools, juniors have a very difficult time receiving bids.

At UF in particular, it is pretty rare for a junior transfer to get one.

She should be prepared to potentially not receive a bid.

Also, I'd suggest for you to not be so concerned about the "tiers" of sororities.

To be honest, those that you consider "top tier" will probably be those ones who cut her first due to her class standing.

Also, even the "top tier" chapters cut legacies. At larger schools, chapters may have more legacies in recruitment than they have space for.

So please keep in mind that her legacy status does not guarantee her a bid.

You'd need to be as open-minded as possible.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

Thank you for your answer. Please do not misunderstand my question. The only reason I refer to tiers is because the two groups that she is a legacy to are difficult to recieve a bid from even as a freshman and I am concerned that exactly as you say, she may not recieve a bid from any sorority. Judging or ruling out any sorority was not my intention.

There's nothing wrong with trying, but her chances are definitely not on par with freshmen or even sophomore PNMs.

There's a good chance that she'll end up without a bid.

It's tough, but true.

Best of luck to her.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

There's nothing wrong with trying, but her chances are definitely not on par with freshmen or even sophomore PNMs.

There's a good chance that she'll end up without a bid.

It's tough, but true.

Best of luck to her.

Do we know that the bold part is true even if she maximizes her options and sees it all the way through?

I know that it's much harder for a junior at a competitive campus to get a bid at some chapters, but have we really seen stats that say that junior straight up get cut out of recruitment more even if they are open to all groups?

The mom didn't pin it down to being UF.

ETA: I'm not challenging the conventional wisdom that it's much harder to rush as a junior, but I think part of why their results are "bad" is that they get much harder early cuts and drop out when they don't like their options. I'm not sure that those that stick it through are that much worse off if we're using "get a bid, any bid" as the standard.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I know that it's much harder for a junior at a competitive campus to get a bid at some chapters, but have we really seen stats that say that junior straight up get cut out of recruitment more even if they are open to all groups?

She is also a transfer student, and from a community college at that. Junior who do get bids at competitive schools tend to already be stand out individuals on campus who know women in the various houses.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by kddani

She is also a transfer student, and from a community college at that. Junior who do get bids at competitive schools tend to already be stand out individuals on campus who know women in the various houses.

OK, disclaimer, my "n"=1 in this example, but maybe there are some cases where the stars align?

My sister-in-law transferred from community college to FSU and got a bid to a great chapter. She certainly did experience some cuts, but by no means would it be classified as heavy cuts. She certainly had choices throughout the entire week and got her favorite chapter after pref.

However:
--she had a 4.0 coming in from CC
--she is from Florida and knew girls in all the houses from high school and had maintained many of these friendships the first two years of college
--her high school and CC resume included plenty of activities and leadership
--she maintained a classy appearance and attitude throughout Rush
--she is a great conversationalist (and witty!) and is very comfortable talking to new people

By no means am I disagreeing that juniors have the odds stacked against them. They do. However, at least in my SIL's case being a transfer was not too detrimental. This also should help other transfers/juniors know what they are up against. Houses will not keep you around "just because." For those that have the above type of resume/presentation there may be more of a chance. Emphasis on "may."

[UGAalum94]

It's much harder to be a junior in a competitive recruitment. Period.

But I'm not sure if that translates into there being a good chance at no bid at all.

That's all I was getting at.

The junior PNM has to be open to every chapter in a way that a frosh might not.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Do we know that the bold part is true even if she maximizes her options and sees it all the way through?

I know that it's much harder for a junior at a competitive campus to get a bid at some chapters, but have we really seen stats that say that junior straight up get cut out of recruitment more even if they are open to all groups?

The mom didn't pin it down to being UF.

ETA: I'm not challenging the conventional wisdom that it's much harder to rush as a junior, but I think part of why their results are "bad" is that they get much harder early cuts and drop out when they don't like their options. I'm not sure that those that stick it through are that much worse off if we're using "get a bid, any bid" as the standard.

I was assuming that she was talking UF.

Perhaps my last statement was a bit harsh.

I will say that her chances are not the same as a freshman or soph PNM. They just aren't.

If you're going to go through at a competitive school such as UF, you are going to HAVE to be open-minded, because you WILL be cut heavily (I don't think anyone will dispute that).

I find that at big schools, the few juniors who do get bids are those who have good friends in chapters, recs, and a ultra-involved in school.

If she is one of those juniors, her chances may be better. But they generally just aren't as good as other PNMs.

I know that makes me a "Debbie Downer", but I think it would be amiss of me to say "Oh go for it! You will have the same chance as everyone else!" That would be unfair.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

Thank you for your answer. Please do not misunderstand my question. The only reason I refer to tiers is because the two groups that she is a legacy to are difficult to receive a bid from even as a freshman and I am concerned that exactly as you say, she may not receive a bid from any sorority. Judging or ruling out any sorority was not my intention.

You may want to check if her campus has an upperclass quota. UGA is even trying on this year, and it might change the game a bit.

But your daughter should probably prepare herself to have some harsher cuts that the freshmen going through.