A Mad Men re-rushing story

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SC2013

Maybe they did....but to be honest, that bid night...I didn't think so. I still don't think they really wanted me, because I was guaranteed a bid.

What with quotas and everything, I'm sure that group of girls that wanted literally the most wanted house (or at least #2 I'm sure) on campus ended up with the house that I had wanted because they were guaranteed a bid. And the house that I had become less and less attached to offered me a bid probably because many girls dropped them, and Panhellenic matches girls to get the maximum amount of girls to each house.

No no no no no. That's not how it works.

You did not get "shoved out" of Joan because there were girls who didn't get Rachel or Trudy or whoever. I think the way your Rho Chi told you was a little misleading. She should have said: if you are INVITED BACK by only one house, you are assured of a bid to that house. The way you put it makes it sound like she was saying "well if you would have blown off going to Peggy, Joan would have offered you a bid." That's not how it works. That would have gotten you kicked out of rush with no chance of any bid to anything.

Also, you were not high up enough on Joan's bid list to be a QA, which as vp said you would have been eligible for ONLY by putting down both groups. Basically you put down Peggy not because you could ever see yourself there, but because you thought it would help you get Joan.

I definitely think you made the correct choice in declining your bid.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Also, you were not high up enough on Joan's bid list to be a QA, which as vp said you would have been eligible for ONLY by putting down both groups.

Where she was on Joan's list doesn't matter quite so much as the fate of the PNM's #2 chapter. It is possible that the last girl on Joan's list could be matched as a QA, but her other chapter would have also had to have made quota. In order to be a QA, you have to maximize, AND be too low on BOTH of your chapters' lists to be matched during "regular matching" (strictly to quota). If Peggy made quota before getting to SC2013's name, THEN she would have another shot at getting Joan, as a QA. If Peggy didn't make quota, then of course SC2013 is matched with Peggy.

However, correct me if I am wrong, there are several factors that go into determining where the QAs go, one of which is current chapter size, so even if Peggy did make quota, SC2013 could have gotten Peggy as a QA, since Peggy is a smaller chapter than Joan.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Where she was on Joan's list doesn't matter quite so much as the fate of the PNM's #2 chapter. It is possible that the last girl on Joan's list could be matched as a QA, but her other chapter would have also had to have made quota. In order to be a QA, you have to maximize, AND be too low on BOTH of your chapters' lists to be matched during "regular matching" (strictly to quota). If Peggy made quota before getting to SC2013's name, THEN she would have another shot at getting Joan, as a QA. If Peggy didn't make quota, then of course SC2013 is matched with Peggy.

However, correct me if I am wrong, there are several factors that go into determining where the QAs go, one of which is current chapter size, so even if Peggy did make quota, SC2013 could have gotten Peggy as a QA, since Peggy is a smaller chapter than Joan.

Hmmm...I thought QAs were apportioned first by PNM preference. I agree with your first explanation. She'd go to Peggy unless Peggy got to quota before her name came up on the list...then she'd get to be a QA,

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

However, correct me if I am wrong, there are several factors that go into determining where the QAs go, one of which is current chapter size, so even if Peggy did make quota, SC2013 could have gotten Peggy as a QA, since Peggy is a smaller chapter than Joan.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Hmmm...I thought QAs were apportioned first by PNM preference. I agree with your first explanation. She'd go to Peggy unless Peggy got to quota before her name came up on the list...then she'd get to be a QA,

From reading these boards for awhile, it seems that this is a decision that each campus panhellenic gets to make. It appears that some schools place the QAs with the lowest total chapter, whereas others seem to place them in the PNMs first choice chapter.

Personally I like the theory of placing them in the smallest group, as QAs can be a way for the large to get even larger. However, having scores of PNMs getting their 3rd choice (and then them not showing up) is not exactly what we want either.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

From reading these boards for awhile, it seems that this is a decision that each campus panhellenic gets to make. It appears that some schools place the QAs with the lowest total chapter, whereas others seem to place them in the PNMs first choice chapter.

Personally I like the theory of placing them in the smallest group, as QAs can be a way for the large to get even larger. However, having scores of PNMs getting their 3rd choice (and then them not showing up) is not exactly what we want either.

I almost always prefer the option that helps a smaller chapter. However, when it comes to QA's, a woman can not be added unless all of her pref chapters have made quota anyway. In that case, I think that it should be "rules be damned, let the GA do what she has to in order to maximize the number of women placed as QA's, while staying under 5% of quota".

Also, from the PNM's point of view, if one of her prefs is at the chapter that can't make quota, it makes no difference whether or not she lists them on her bid card, she is not going to be a QA at her first choice.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I almost always prefer the option that helps a smaller chapter. However, when it comes to QA's, a woman can not be added unless all of her pref chapters have made quota anyway. In that case, I think that it should be "rules be damned, let the GA do what she has to in order to maximize the number of women placed as QA's, while staying under 5% of quota".

Also, from the PNM's point of view, if one of her prefs is at the chapter that can't make quota, it makes no difference whether or not she lists them on her bid card, she is not going to be a QA at her first choice.

They did away with this mandate. Statistically, the stronger chapters should have less opportunities for QAs if RFM is done correctly since their numbers for pref should be fairly low. That should not leave too many women with an option to list them #1 for a QA. If all QAs majically get dumped into the lowest group, that then again gives them the reputation of the group that takes all the leftovers. Not really something that is preferrable either.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

However, correct me if I am wrong, there are several factors that go into determining where the QAs go, one of which is current chapter size, so even if Peggy did make quota, SC2013 could have gotten Peggy as a QA, since Peggy is a smaller chapter than Joan.

this is how i understand it(also been a few years for me as a recruitment adviser)

[SC2013]

Originally Posted by 33girl

No no no no no. That's not how it works.

You did not get "shoved out" of Joan because there were girls who didn't get Rachel or Trudy or whoever. I think the way your Rho Chi told you was a little misleading. She should have said: if you are INVITED BACK by only one house, you are assured of a bid to that house. The way you put it makes it sound like she was saying "well if you would have blown off going to Peggy, Joan would have offered you a bid." That's not how it works. That would have gotten you kicked out of rush with no chance of any bid to anything.

Also, you were not high up enough on Joan's bid list to be a QA, which as vp said you would have been eligible for ONLY by putting down both groups. Basically you put down Peggy not because you could ever see yourself there, but because you thought it would help you get Joan.

I definitely think you made the correct choice in declining your bid.

Yes, I wrote my post a little hastily and didn't word it properly, but I definitely knew that we were guaranteed bids if we went to Pref, but we were guaranteed A bid, not our #1 choice or anything. Only IF you are invited back to a single house for Pref, then since you're guaranteed a bid if you go to Pref then naturally you are guaranteed a bid to that one house you were invited to. It doesn't mean "well I got two houses, I guess I'll just show up to one and I'll be set!" or anything, and Panhel was clear to state that which is great.

And I know a girl who blew off a House Tour and got kicked out of rush last year, and this year Panhellenic girls were also very sure to emphasize that you must go back to all parties you are invited to (unless you received a bid from them last year, in which case you are not obligated to go back if you're re-rushing unless you want to).

[SC2013]

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by SC2013

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

eloquently and succinctly stated!

[arrowlady]

Originally Posted by SC2013

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

I am printing this off for my daughter when it is her turn to go through recruitment! Very well stated!