Standing out as a Sophomore

[equinerider26]

This year, I'll be a sophomore, and I have decided to rush, and am thoroughly invested in becoming Greek.
What I'm concerned with is how to stand out as a "must-have" compared to the 1,100+ freshman that will be rushing.
I have a fairly high GPA, and am an Animal Science major. I am part of the pre-vet club, and will be joining another club associated with my major this year as well.
Other than the obvious- being polite, outgoing, interested, etc.- do you have any suggestions that would help me stand out during recruitment?
Thanks!

edited as suggested

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by equinerider26

This year, I'll be a sophomore at Mizzou, and I, along with my roommate, have decided to rush, and am thoroughly invested in becoming Greek.
What I'm concerned with is how to stand out as a "must-have" compared to the 1,100+ freshman that will be rushing.
I have a 3.862 GPA, am an Animal Science major, and already have been accepted into vet school. I am part of the pre-vet club, and will be joining our block & bridle club this year as well.
Other than the obvious- being polite, outgoing, interested, etc.- do you have any suggestions that would help me stand out during recruitment?
Thanks!

How do you get accepted into vet school with only your freshman year behind you and less than a 4.0? I'm under the impression that vet school is harder to get accepted to than medical school.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Barbie's_Rush

How do you get accepted into vet school with only your freshman year behind you and less than a 4.0?

Here's how. Though it appears that technically, she hasn't been accepted to vet school; she's been accepted into an undergraduate program that in turn, upon completion of undergraduate requirements, guarantees admission to the vet school.

Should I mention to the OP that she's already said enough that just about any sorority member from Mizzou reading this thread will be able to tell exactly who she is come recruitment time, so discretion is key?

[equinerider26]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Here's how. Though it appears that technically, she hasn't been accepted to vet school; she's been accepted into an undergraduate program that in turn, upon completion of undergraduate requirements, guarantees admission to the vet school.

Should I mention to the OP that she's already said enough that just about any sorority member from Mizzou reading this thread will be able to tell exactly who she is come recruitment time, so discretion is key?

Thanks for the discretion reminder; it's easy to forget that anyone can read these.

But that's all I intended to say. I just wanted my basic academic information available so anyone offering recruitment advice would have something on which to base it.

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Here's how. Though it appears that technically, she hasn't been accepted to vet school; she's been accepted into an undergraduate program that in turn, upon completion of undergraduate requirements, guarantees admission to the vet school.

Should I mention to the OP that she's already said enough that just about any sorority member from Mizzou reading this thread will be able to tell exactly who she is come recruitment time, so discretion is key?

So she hasn't been accepted to vet school and her statement was hyperbole.

It's important for a pnm to stick to the facts in recruitment and not exaggerate her accomplishments.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Barbie's_Rush

So she hasn't been accepted to vet school and her statement was hyperbole.

It's important for a pnm to stick to the facts in recruitment and not exaggerate her accomplishments.

She very well may be stating the truth. These program used to be very common in Medical schools (called 6 year programs.) Because it states that admission is guaranteed once you are admitted to the undergraduate program, as long as you complete that program, she technically has been accepted to vet school. Since she has a 3.8 GPA, she'll likely finish her undergraduate work and go on to the vet school program.

For med schools that accepted students directly out of HS, they did two years of college and went directly to medical school regardless of their collegiate performance. These programs were eventually phased out because students were not felt to be mature enough to treat patients after just 6 years of school.

[Titchou]

Early acceptance, maybe???

[Drolefille]

ETA: After MC, cause he's faster. My pre-med scholar program was similar (although we really were accepted our sophomore year if we stuck with it. I didn't)

For the OP, I recommend thinking about and being able to articulate why you want to join a sorority and why you didn't your freshman year.

[KSUViolet06]

Don't expect your academics to carry you. There will plenty of girls in recruitment with great GPAs and lots of campus involvement.

[hootyhoo]

Have you secured at least one recommendation for each sorority? Although Mizzou may not be in the SEC/South it still has a very competitive Rush. I have close friends in Theta, Kappa, ADII, DDD, and G Phi and they all said recs definitely help you get through the first round. Going in as a sophomore I think this would be crucial for you!

[ellebud]

My husband, totally not Greek (and who went through daughter's recruitment clueless) said that one thing that made D stand out was her ability to talk instantiously about anything. She works with the public at a local store and has to make an instant, positive impression. Think sound bytes (reality TV). Know what is going on at school/sports/television/popular culture and be able to articulate about the subject in one/two sentences.

Cute clothes help, as does the usual grooming stuff.

And smile.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by ellebud

My husband, totally not Greek (and who went through daughter's recruitment clueless) said that one thing that made D stand out was her ability to talk instantiously about anything.

Elle, much respect, but what the eff is instantiously?

[annabella]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Elle, much respect, but what the eff is instantiously?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think she types from her phone a lot.

OP, while it's true you are direct-admit to the vet school, you probably don't want to mention that unless you are speaking with someone who has a similar major or is in a similar situation.

I'm guessing you had to take a lot of Ag classes last year—are you friends with any sorority girls from your dorm or high school? Make sure they know NOW that you'll be rushing. Aside from recommendations and GPA (which will mostly just help you with the first round or so of cuts), knowing girls will help you the most. Just don't take it personally if you know several girls in a house you are released from—there hasn't been an upperclass/sophomore quota for the past few years, and as far as I know there won't be this year.

Get your recommendations in order, especially if you are coming from out-of-state.

In the past few years (I'm alumna now, but I've been on all three sides of recruitment at Mizzou—pnm, active, and alum) EVERY house has taken a sophomore. True, some take more than others, but you just have to be even more outstanding compared to the others.

You may be asked why you didn't rush your freshman year. You may be asked if you would be willing to live in the house as a junior or senior (keep in mind most chapters at Mizzou have a 1-2 year live-in requirement, and there may not be room for you to move in right away).

Be wary of Mizzou lurkers on this board. They typically don't post, but are out in full force.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions.

[sydney bristow]

I think your academic accomplishments are great and will definitely be a plus for you but you should edit this because it will be too easy for actives to figure out who you are!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by sydney bristow

. . . but you should edit this because it will be too easy for actives to figure out who you are!

She edited, but her previous post has been quoted numerous times and the details (school, program) have been discussed enough that editing doesn't do much unless we all go back and edit posts.