Alabama Recruitment

[Nhfulmer]

Originally Posted by F50437

bamamom90:
My heart bleeds for you, which is why I’m risking responding. I post very rarely. I know a young woman (not from Alabama but from “up north”) who started UA in the fall of 2007. She decided to go through rush at the last minute without recs, etc. She received an invitation to one pref party and dropped out (I think before the party). She had a successful rush the next year and is now a proud sorority sister of a sorority which originally cut her as a freshman. I don’t think that grades are her strong point. I will get tripe for this but here goes…I was in a very small city in Alabama having lunch in March of 2009. One member of the group asked about the family of the Alabama resident in the group. He said that his daughter was having the time of her life. She was attending teas at UA and was going to live in Tutwiler (just like her mother did) even though she was eligible for the honors dorm. This happened before she even graduated from high school. I really do think that rush is especially hard for a freshman from out of state at UA. I think that many in state girls have someone pulling for them on the inside way before rush starts. Check out the post by a father of a U GA girl from out of state on another recruitment thread. However, because there is a separate quota (which to my uneducated eye seems pretty high) for upper classmen, it might be easier at UA for a sophomore at UA than at some other schools. In fact I wonder if the upper classman quota at UA is purposefully in place in order to pick up more out of state students. If your daughter likes and knows about football, have her check out the “A Team.” It is a group which escorts potential football recruits during games. She will have to sit with them and their families. But she will be on the field when the games start.

If you check the list of 1200 young women who accepted bids yesterday, many of them are from out of state. I didn't count but the number I've heard is that about half of last year's pledges were from out of state. Someone is getting the message and taking care of business. My girls from Charlotte were all covered and it looks as though about 15 of them are proud new sorority members. I know it looks like it would discriminate against out of state students but it really doesn't if they will take care of business - the problem is in getting them to believe that it is necessary.

Someone posted about a Louisiana Panhellenic not writing out of state recs. That is just plain ridiculous. I'm on the Executive Board of our local APH and we help any girl - regardless of where she is going.

In response to another post, as an advisor I have met and talked with a rushee and then signed a rec; however, this was at a school on the opposite end of the spectrum. At that school, we often didn't even know who was signed up for rush until the first day of parties and none of the five sororities on campus gave a second thought to recs. It just depends on where you are and at Bama, it's required.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Nhfulmer

If you check the list of 1200 young women who accepted bids yesterday, many of them are from out of state. I didn't count but the number I've heard is that about half of last year's pledges were from out of state. Someone is getting the message and taking care of business. My girls from Charlotte were all covered and it looks as though about 15 of them are proud new sorority members. I know it looks like it would discriminate against out of state students but it really doesn't if they will take care of business - the problem is in getting them to believe that it is necessary.

Are you insinuating that the chapters are scrambling to secure recs or that these out of state PNMs were actually prepared and secured recs for themselves? I am assuming the latter for the most part.

[kk_bama]

I don't really know of any chapter would bother to scramble to get recommendations during Recruitment.

It's more of a too bad, so sad situation. If you don't have your ducks in a row by the time Recruitment begins, you're probably going to get cut by the chapters that absolutely require a rec for a bid.

Your best bet is to start 6 months to a year prior to Recruitment obtaining recs for every single sorority. Contact your local alumnae Panhellenic, go to your high school counselor, ask if your teachers were in a sorority, quiz your mother's friends, etc. It's not that hard. Don't put all your eggs in a basket or two thinking that you'll get a bid to one of the 3 sororities you managed to get a rec for.

My favorite recs to look through are the most complete ones. A fully complete rec packet should include, IMO:

-The most updated reference form from your nationals (some that we get are YEARS old photocopied from an old sorority magazine).

-A detailed resume that includes high school class rank and any family greek affiliations (doesn't hurt to list aunts & cousins in addition to sisters, mothers, grandmother & great-grandmothers). We get a lot of great resumes but they are sometimes missing those items.

-Complete high school transcript.

-At least a headshot and a full body photo. Some girls do a cute color full-page photo collage showing them in all their various activities. I love these. So fun to see the girls in their prom dresses, sports uniforms, with family, etc.

-Sometimes we get a handwritten note or typed letter from the alum in addition to the recommendation form. Going into detail about how you know the PNM is great and the fact that the alum went the extra mile means a lot.

[Loyally Kappa]

I'll see that two cents and raise it three!

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I don't really know of any chapter would bother to scramble to get recommendations during Recruitment.

It's more of a too bad, so sad situation. If you don't have your ducks in a row by the time Recruitment begins, you're probably going to get cut by the chapters that absolutely require a rec for a bid.

Your best bet is to start 6 months to a year prior to Recruitment obtaining recs for every single sorority. Contact your local alumnae Panhellenic, go to your high school counselor, ask if your teachers were in a sorority, quiz your mother's friends, etc. It's not that hard. Don't put all your eggs in a basket or two thinking that you'll get a bid to one of the 3 sororities you managed to get a rec for.

My favorite recs to look through are the most complete ones. A fully complete rec packet should include, IMO:

-The most updated reference form from your nationals (some that we get are YEARS old photocopied from an old sorority magazine).

-A detailed resume that includes high school class rank and any family greek affiliations (doesn't hurt to list aunts & cousins in addition to sisters, mothers, grandmother & great-grandmothers). We get a lot of great resumes but they are sometimes missing those items.

-Complete high school transcript.

-At least a headshot and a full body photo. Some girls do a cute color full-page photo collage showing them in all their various activities. I love these. So fun to see the girls in their prom dresses, sports uniforms, with family, etc.

-Sometimes we get a handwritten note or typed letter from the alum in addition to the recommendation form. Going into detail about how you know the PNM is great and the fact that the alum went the extra mile means a lot.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I don't really know of any chapter would bother to scramble to get recommendations during Recruitment.

It's more of a too bad, so sad situation. If you don't have your ducks in a row by the time Recruitment begins, you're probably going to get cut by the chapters that absolutely require a rec for a bid.

Your best bet is to start 6 months to a year prior to Recruitment obtaining recs for every single sorority. Contact your local alumnae Panhellenic, go to your high school counselor, ask if your teachers were in a sorority, quiz your mother's friends, etc. It's not that hard. Don't put all your eggs in a basket or two thinking that you'll get a bid to one of the 3 sororities you managed to get a rec for.

My favorite recs to look through are the most complete ones. A fully complete rec packet should include, IMO:

-The most updated reference form from your nationals (some that we get are YEARS old photocopied from an old sorority magazine).

-A detailed resume that includes high school class rank and any family greek affiliations (doesn't hurt to list aunts & cousins in addition to sisters, mothers, grandmother & great-grandmothers). We get a lot of great resumes but they are sometimes missing those items.

-Complete high school transcript.

-At least a headshot and a full body photo. Some girls do a cute color full-page photo collage showing them in all their various activities. I love these. So fun to see the girls in their prom dresses, sports uniforms, with family, etc.

-Sometimes we get a handwritten note or typed letter from the alum in addition to the recommendation form. Going into detail about how you know the PNM is great and the fact that the alum went the extra mile means a lot.

This post should be made into a sticky for some of the SEC schools.

Thanks kk_bama!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

My favorite recs to look through are the most complete ones. A fully complete rec packet should include, IMO:

-The most updated reference form from your nationals (some that we get are YEARS old photocopied from an old sorority magazine).

-A detailed resume that includes high school class rank and any family greek affiliations (doesn't hurt to list aunts & cousins in addition to sisters, mothers, grandmother & great-grandmothers). We get a lot of great resumes but they are sometimes missing those items.

-Complete high school transcript.

-At least a headshot and a full body photo. Some girls do a cute color full-page photo collage showing them in all their various activities. I love these. So fun to see the girls in their prom dresses, sports uniforms, with family, etc.

-Sometimes we get a handwritten note or typed letter from the alum in addition to the recommendation form. Going into detail about how you know the PNM is great and the fact that the alum went the extra mile means a lot.

Also
--Home Address
--Parents' names
---Their colleges and Greek groups, and what they do for a living (nosy? Yes...but I want to know the sorority bill will be paid)
--ACT/SAT scores

I am building an Excel spreadsheet for Alabama's recruitments (darn those UA people for not posting it that way to begin with!!) that you can sort for sorority, hometown, state, etc. If anybody wants a copy, DM me your e-mail address and I'll e-mail you a copy. It may be tomorrow before I'm finished.

[VandalSquirrel]

This isn't just about 'Bama, but if at my school (middle of nowhere, full of farmers and first generation students) we can manage to get recs on women, then it shouldn't be hard in a more populated area with a funcitoning Alumnae Panhellenic. There is a good reason that at larger schools where rush is competitive there is a cut off date to sign up. One is so grades and eligibility can be checked by Panhellenic, the other is that there is a final list give to each chapter to handle as they see fit. Even though I am currently living in the town where I attended school, I have written recs for women from my home area as well as from other areas my family lives in.

The women I have been contacted about are not legacies, are not from this state, and may be first generation college students, but I not only help my sisters, but my Panhellenic sisters by writing recs on these women and passing on their information to alumnae I know in the other eight NPC groups on my campus. I feel it is my job not only as an alumnae, but as a woman, to give every qualified woman an equal chance at rush, even if she doesn't attend my school. I have driven hours or met with women while on vacation to write a solid and informative rec because I truly believe one shouldn't be limited by her connections or not being as savvy as another. Recruitment is every woman's job, collegian or alumnae and some of my favorite sisters (my own and in other sororities) are women who knew nothing about the process and I took the time to help. I think that to acquire quality members we need to do what we can to reach the women who aren't in the know, and with all of the technology available to us in 2009 it is possible.

[Nhfulmer]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

This isn't just about 'Bama, but if at my school (middle of nowhere, full of farmers and first generation students) we can manage to get recs on women, then it shouldn't be hard in a more populated area with a funcitoning Alumnae Panhellenic. There is a good reason that at larger schools where rush is competitive there is a cut off date to sign up. One is so grades and eligibility can be checked by Panhellenic, the other is that there is a final list give to each chapter to handle as they see fit. Even though I am currently living in the town where I attended school, I have written recs for women from my home area as well as from other areas my family lives in.

The women I have been contacted about are not legacies, are not from this state, and may be first generation college students, but I not only help my sisters, but my Panhellenic sisters by writing recs on these women and passing on their information to alumnae I know in the other eight NPC groups on my campus. I feel it is my job not only as an alumnae, but as a woman, to give every qualified woman an equal chance at rush, even if she doesn't attend my school. I have driven hours or met with women while on vacation to write a solid and informative rec because I truly believe one shouldn't be limited by her connections or not being as savvy as another. Recruitment is every woman's job, collegian or alumnae and some of my favorite sisters (my own and in other sororities) are women who knew nothing about the process and I took the time to help. I think that to acquire quality members we need to do what we can to reach the women who aren't in the know, and with all of the technology available to us in 2009 it is possible.

I absolutely could not agree with your philosophy more! I'm thrilled for all the girls I wrote recs for - whether they pledged my sorority or not. The point is that they experience Greek life - not only during college but for years to come!!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Also
--Home Address
--Parents' names
---Their colleges and Greek groups, and what they do for a living (nosy? Yes...but I want to know the sorority bill will be paid)
--ACT/SAT scores

I am building an Excel spreadsheet for Alabama's recruitments (darn those UA people for not posting it that way to begin with!!) that you can sort for sorority, hometown, state, etc. If anybody wants a copy, DM me your e-mail address and I'll e-mail you a copy. It may be tomorrow before I'm finished.

I'm not a fan of the occupation of the parents as they may not be paying. Grandparents may be paying, a woman may (gasp) have a job and saved up for it, maybe she has a scholarship to help cover her housing portion, that is just antiquated to me and does not help our reputation of looking elitist and snobby. Also their college, not that important; their Greek affiliations, sure. More first generation college students are signing up for rush and the information may not exist.

[HeavenslilAngel]

I paid for my dues myself. My parents weren't supportive of my decision to join a sorority but I wanted to do it and so my paychecks paid for it. My parents paid everything else so they really couldn't say anything about my sorority involvement. I love learning about big SEC recruitment. I went to a small state school in Louisiana where recs were rare for the most part and I went through COB not formal rush.

[Bear]

Is anyone else going to post pictures?????
The only ones so far are from Gamma Phi Beta.
****They look so great in thier Pink and Brown.******

[Loyally Kappa]

I'm thinking the latter, that the out of state girls showed up with recs, resumes, and photos already AT the chapter houses BEFORE rush. I mean, the addresses of the rush chairmen are posted.

Geesh ... is anyone really so naive as to think that all you have to do is pay the rush fee and then show up to enjoy the door songs?!?

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Are you insinuating that the chapters are scrambling to secure recs or that these out of state PNMs were actually prepared and secured recs for themselves? I am assuming the latter for the most part.

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by Loyally Kappa

I'm thinking the latter, that the out of state girls showed up with recs, resumes, and photos already AT the chapter houses BEFORE rush. I mean, the addresses of the rush chairmen are posted.

Geesh ... is anyone really so naive as to think that all you have to do is pay the rush fee and then show up to enjoy the door songs?!?

To be fair, I think it depends on where that person is coming from. Looking at the list, not a lot of girls are from the midwest, but at many schools up here, you just don't need recs, and if that's what they know, they just don't think of it. I decided to rush about a month before I got to school, so I would not have had a clue, other than from a few of my friends' moms who were in sororities. Maybe these days girls are thinking of these things earlier, and it's more a part of the culture in certain areas to know early in high school that you are going to be in a sorority, but for many people, this is a whole new ballgame.

[Loyally Kappa]

Well, sure, you make a fair comment.

Really, I wish more mamas and their daughters would discover Greekchat at least a year before going off to college and start asking questions BEFORE rush. Otherwise go to a smaller out of state school. Perhaps their rush is different than at the big schools.

HOWEVER ...

Let this be a caveate. When in Rome, do like the Romans ... lol!

(Oh yeah, they stole the Greek culture, didn't they?!?)

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

To be fair, I think it depends on where that person is coming from. Looking at the list, not a lot of girls are from the midwest, but at many schools up here, you just don't need recs, and if that's what they know, they just don't think of it. I decided to rush about a month before I got to school, so I would not have had a clue, other than from a few of my friends' moms who were in sororities. Maybe these days girls are thinking of these things earlier, and it's more a part of the culture in certain areas to know early in high school that you are going to be in a sorority, but for many people, this is a whole new ballgame.

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by Loyally Kappa

Well, sure, you make a fair comment.

Really, I wish more mamas and their daughters would discover Greekchat at least a year before going off to college and start asking questions BEFORE rush. Otherwise go to a smaller out of state school. Perhaps their rush is different than at the big schools.

HOWEVER ...

Let this be a caveate. When in Rome, do like the Romans ... lol!

(Oh yeah, they stole the Greek culture, didn't they?!?)

Hey, I'm a Yankee, so what do I know, right? I know that there are girls coming here from my town that still don't know if they are going to rush and it is less than 3 weeks away. I don't even think our recruitment website even mentions needing recommendations, other than to give the address to each sorority house! And we're a huge state school! It's just totally different. This is so fascinating to me.