A question about Recommendations

catchpenny · #1 06-14-2010, 06:29 PM

My "adoptive" grandmother (I'm not really related to her, she's more of my grandfather's good friend) is a house mother at ABC fraternity in another state. She has told me that she's been to conferences with other house mothers, including some of those affiliated with the school at which I am rushing this fall. Would it be appropriate for me to ask her to write me a recommendation even though she may not be an alumna of the sorority to which I want to send the rec? I know that you're not supposed to have someone recommend you to a sorority they are not affiliated with, but because she is a house mother (although at a fraternity) would that be okay?

Thank you so much for your feedback!

Nanners52674 · #2 06-14-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catchpenny

My "adoptive" grandmother (I'm not really related to her, she's more of my grandfather's good friend) is a house mother at ABC fraternity in another state. She has told me that she's been to conferences with other house mothers, including some of those affiliated with the school at which I am rushing this fall. Would it be appropriate for me to ask her to write me a recommendation even though she may not be an alumna of the sorority to which I want to send the rec? I know that you're not supposed to have someone recommend you to a sorority they are not affiliated with, but because she is a house mother (although at a fraternity) would that be okay?

Thank you so much for your feedback!

The only person who can write you a rec for abc sorority is an alumna of abc sorority.

33girl · #3 06-14-2010, 06:52 PM

If the other housemothers she knows are alumnae of sororities at your campus, she can ask them to write an info-only rec for you.

KSUViolet06 · #4 06-14-2010, 09:18 PM

Only members of that sorority can write recs for that particular sorority. No exceptions.

Example: I can only write recs for Tri Sigma. I cannot just randomly write a rec for Kappa Kappa Gamma if someone asks me.

However, I have a suggestion: Since she has been a housemom for so long, maybe she knows some ABC alumnae who CAN write you an ABC rec. Ask her if she knows someone who can help you.

gee_ess · #5 06-15-2010, 08:53 AM

Good suggestion by KSUViolet06.

Also, if she does know housemoms on your campus, it is perfectly acceptable for those housemoms to "spread the word" that they know a pnm coming through that they have heard good things about. Word of mouth can be positive - even if it is not in a official rec form.