After my unhappy ending...

[Aerylle]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

1. Only you can determine if something is "worth it." You may or may not get a bid next year, but you have no chance at getting one if you don't go through. Depending on your school, upperclassmen in recruitment may not be as big of a deal as it is elsewhere.

2. To answer this question, you really do have to take a good look at yourself and examine why it is you think you didn't receive a bid. Example: did you have bad grades, were you not as outgoing as other PNMs, did you not present yourself well etc? Sometimes that takes some time to figure out and work on.

3. Again, that's something else to figure out on your own. For example: some people realize that all the other PNMs knew sorority members outside of recruitment, had recs, etc. and they didn't. So they set out to give themselves that advantage next year.

A good piece of advice is if you are a 2nd time PNM at a more competitive school, be sure to be open-minded. I find it funny when someone goes through a second time with only certain chapters that they will join. It almost never ends well.

1. Just for clarification, by "worth it" I mean is not worth it to me, as I want it very much. By worth it I mean in a semi-competitive school, is it worth it to try.

2/3. I see you're point that these are things I need to look at for myself, but are there things that look good on resumes? And meeting current girls in sororities, if only I had some in my classes. >.< The only classes I have them in are the 1000+ lecture halls that have assigned seating that I don't sit next to any of them. Maybe next semester.

Oh, and I agree at being open minded. I was very open minded the first time and fell in love with a chapter I'd never looked at before. I do know that when I go through a second time (if I do), I'll have to be even more open minded as a pledge class can dramatically change a chapter so everything I thought this year will be null and void.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Aerylle

1. Just for clarification, by "worth it" I mean is not worth it to me, as I want it very much. By worth it I mean in a semi-competitive school, is it worth it to try.

2/3. I see you're point that these are things I need to look at for myself, but are there things that look good on resumes? And meeting current girls in sororities, if only I had some in my classes. >.< The only classes I have them in are the 1000+ lecture halls that have assigned seating that I don't sit next to any of them. Maybe next semester.

Oh, and I agree at being open minded. I was very open minded the first time and fell in love with a chapter I'd never looked at before. I do know that when I go through a second time (if I do), I'll have to be even more open minded as a pledge class can dramatically change a chapter so everything I thought this year will be null and void.

I wouldn't do an activity to put on my resume to join a sorority, I'd join one because I feel passionate or interested in it. You may also meet sorority women who share that passion, or even fraternity guys who know sorority women; and your interest will be genuine and a way to be noticed in a positive manner.

[Aerylle]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I wouldn't do an activity to put on my resume to join a sorority, I'd join one because I feel passionate or interested in it. You may also meet sorority women who share that passion, or even fraternity guys who know sorority women; and your interest will be genuine and a way to be noticed in a positive manner.

I'm not asking about activities that look good on a resume to join, I'm asking what things look good on a resume period. As in, all I can think of doing at school this year is joining a few clubs, but I want to get more involved; any thoughts?

I like what you said though, "who share that passion", now I just need to find a few clubs on campus that are into writing and saving animals. Ha ha.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Aerylle

I'm not asking about activities that look good on a resume to join, I'm asking what things look good on a resume period. As in, all I can think of doing at school this year is joining a few clubs, but I want to get more involved; any thoughts?

I like what you said though, "who share that passion", now I just need to find a few clubs on campus that are into writing and saving animals. Ha ha.

Good, as we've had people asking before for specific groups,dorms, etc. and that's not a good way to go about things.

Clubs are good, student government if there's something that interests you, religious groups, and so on. On my campus there are lots of Greeks volunteering at the Humane Society, so you'd definitely meet them off campus. If your department holds events, go to those, and anything else that catches your fancy.

Even if you meet no Greeks you'll meet people who may help you in other ways later, such as jobs, internships, and it can also go on your resume. Finding one bigger thing to be involved in is great, and other small things are fun too. We have a volunteer and civic engagement center, intra-murals, study groups for large common classes, and I'm sure your school has a version of these.

[aephi alum]

Is it worth it? That's up to you to decide. But you don't have to decide today whether to rush next year.

What can you change? Aside from the obvious - keeping your grades up and getting yourself out there - nothing. You are who you are.

Standing out? You will be a sophomore, and having only 3 years rather than 4 to contribute as an active member will not help. BUT you have an entire year to get to know your fellow freshmen who are affiliated, and to build up your good name on campus. Joining a service sorority, or doing community service on your own, is a good.

Basically, keep your grades up, be visible in a good way, keep an eye out for COB if you're interested in going that route... and see where the road takes you.

Good luck.