re-rushing as a sophomore @ UF

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 kdlady80

PS.. With the economy as it is, it is not really fair to dismiss someone because they attended a community college before transferring to a university. Many community college students were offered admittance to universities, but for one reason or another could not attend. I think that as time marches on, more and more students will have to explore the opportunities attending a community college affords them. Scholarships are not what they were and stock markets where college funds were housed have plumeted. For some, who are not interested in large loans, it is the right decision and should not be looked down upon.

Some insight on this (from a chapter perspective):

Chapters at some bigger schools tend to prefer freshmen because they'll be part of the chapter for 4 years. This means 4 years of participation (and more opportunities to take on officer positions) and dues. Theoretically, a transfer is going to be at the school for less than 4 years.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

PS.. With the economy as it is, it is not really fair to dismiss someone because they attended a community college before transferring to a university. Many community college students were offered admittance to universities, but for one reason or another could not attend. I think that as time marches on, more and more students will have to explore the opportunities attending a community college affords them. Scholarships are not what they were and stock markets where college funds were housed have plumeted. For some, who are not interested in large loans, it is the right decision and should not be looked down upon.

This all may be true, but what's "really fair" and sorority recruitment at competitive recruitments don't often met.

If what you've outlined emerges as big trend, chapters will have to respond certainly. But "fairness" rarely has anything to do with it, sadly.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

This is true that fairness and sorority recruitment don't always meet.(lol) As I've said, my daughter has a great deal to offer and if she does not recieve a bid to a sorority she will find another outlet to channel her energy and will be fine. There are so many new people and experiences waiting for her and while being in a sorority is great, it is not for everyone so I guess it is just a wait and see proposition.

Yep. Prepare in advance with recs and expectations for dress and activities. Wait and see and keep an open mind. Go all the way through pref if you can and see if there's a group you can see yourself in. That's about all you can do no matter what year you are.

And if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by kdlady80

This is true that fairness and sorority recruitment don't always meet.(lol) As I've said, my daughter has a great deal to offer and if she does not recieve a bid to a sorority she will find another outlet to channel her energy and will be fine. There are so many new people and experiences waiting for her and while being in a sorority is great, it is not for everyone so I guess it is just a wait and see proposition.

My best suggestion is to talk to your friends, and women you know who have daughters at the school your gal will be attending, or even similar schools. They can give you really specific and helpful information that a bunch of people on the internet, while well-meaning, simply cannot.

FWIW, I had brunch a few weeks ago with friends who went to UF and the subject of recruitment came up. None of them did the stuff that we typically suggest--some were even juniors and sophomores!!--and it turned out fine for them. Clearly, you should be well-informed, but you can't rely on people who didn't go to UF, or SEC schools, or aren't from the south. Good luck!

[minDyG]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Yep. Prepare in advance with recs and expectations for dress and activities. Wait and see and keep an open mind. Go all the way through pref if you can and see if there's a group you can see yourself in. That's about all you can do no matter what year you are.

And if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.

I just saw your new signature, and I love it.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by minDyG

I just saw your new signature, and I love it.

Thanks! I'm not usually into making fun of typos, but these circumstances are extraordinary.

[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.

[angelove]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

My best suggestion is to talk to your friends, and women you know who have daughters at the school your gal will be attending, or even similar schools. They can give you really specific and helpful information that a bunch of people on the internet, while well-meaning, simply cannot.

FWIW, I had brunch a few weeks ago with friends who went to UF and the subject of recruitment came up. None of them did the stuff that we typically suggest--some were even juniors and sophomores!!--and it turned out fine for them. Clearly, you should be well-informed, but you can't rely on people who didn't go to UF, or SEC schools, or aren't from the south. Good luck!

This is so true! Thanks for mentioning this.