Rushing as a Sophomore

[deacon14]

I just want to say that the only reason I came onto this website was for constructive advice on what I should do about my rushing situation. als465, I find your post incredibly assumptive and hurtful. In fact, the sorority I was left with was not one which I deemed "not good enough" in any way--I actually have many friends in that sorority--rather, I did not want to invest time and money (as every sorority requires) in a sorority that did not absolutely make my heart sing, and I do not regret my decision at all--if given the same situation again, I would have done the same thing.
Thank you for your input, but I believe I will be seeking advice on the subject from other sources. Best wishes.

[Splash]

Could you do both? Could you do fall informal and if you end up with a bid to a group, you could join and if you don't, you could do formal in the spring? I would get recs in both situations because why not?

[als463]

Originally Posted by deacon14

I just want to say that the only reason I came onto this website was for constructive advice on what I should do about my rushing situation. als465, I find your post incredibly assumptive and hurtful. In fact, the sorority I was left with was not one which I deemed "not good enough" in any way--I actually have many friends in that sorority--rather, I did not want to invest time and money (as every sorority requires) in a sorority that did not absolutely make my heart sing, and I do not regret my decision at all--if given the same situation again, I would have done the same thing.
Thank you for your input, but I believe I will be seeking advice on the subject from other sources. Best wishes.

It didn't make your heart "sing" and that's why you didn't choose to take a bid? I still don't buy it. You have tons of friends in that sorority yet, it wasn't for you? Yeah, it still sounds like the "popularity" factor was what made you choose to not accept a bid. I still don't feel sorry for you.

Here is some constructive advice: Don't whine and cry on an internet forum when you didn't get a bid to a sorority that didn't make your heart "sing" when there are tons of qualified PNMs that are coming on here to share that they weren't even given a bid to anywhere. Those are the girls I feel sorry for! There are tons of women who would have jumped at the chance you had. You chose not to take it and now come on GC to whine that your heart didn't "sing" or something.

If you choose to go somewhere else to talk about how bummed out you are that (while other girls are heartbroken they didn't get a bid ANYWHERE) you only got a bid to ONE sorority that didn't make your heart "sing"--then, that's fine with me! Please, go do that!

[Splash]

Read the first post. She didn't whine or complain or bash anyone at all. And it doesn't matter if she was dropped by every sorority or refused to join every sorority except one, she can still rerush if she wants to. She made the decision best for herself and I for one am glad she gave that spot to a girl who really appreciated it. She could have infused her question with past bitterness and immaturity, but she didn't. And she never asked anyone to feel sorry for her.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by Splash

Read the first post. She didn't whine or complain or bash anyone at all. And it doesn't matter if she was dropped by every sorority or refused to join every sorority except one, she can still rerush if she wants to. She made the decision best for herself and I for one am glad she gave that spot to a girl who really appreciated it. She could have infused her question with past bitterness and immaturity, but she didn't.

+1

We all know it's a "mutual" selection process. Mutual means both of them have to have the desire to continue.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by DGTess

+1

We all know it's a "mutual" selection process. Mutual means both of them have to have the desire to continue.

I have to agree here. First off, she didn't receive a bid from the one house (sounds like she got invited to pref and did not go, which I would have advised her to attend just to make sure her mind was made up). Second, had she gone to pref and signed the card (ostensibly they have guaranteed placement, though I don't know for sure) she would have been bound for one year to that house that she was more than unsure about. Thus, she wouldn't be able to go through informal right now.

Furthermore, by withdrawing, she freed up a slot for someone that house did make her "heart sing". I really see nothing wrong with any of it.

OP - I say go for informal and just see what happens!

[MaggieXi]

My information comes second hand from my cousin who an alum of Wake and a sorority member.

She said that some sophmores do receive bids every year, but not all who register will be placed. The sophmores who do get bids are usually well known by the sisters in that group specifically, have stellar grades and are very involved with the school and have not rushed previously. The ones who have rushed previously tend to be scrutinized a little more. It's not impossible, but you have to be the all around total package and be willing to take the invites/bid you are given and roll with it and make the best of your particular situation.

[als463]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I have to agree here. First off, she didn't receive a bid from the one house (sounds like she got invited to pref and did not go, which I would have advised her to attend just to make sure her mind was made up). Second, had she gone to pref and signed the card (ostensibly they have guaranteed placement, though I don't know for sure) she would have been bound for one year to that house that she was more than unsure about. Thus, she wouldn't be able to go through informal right now.

Furthermore, by withdrawing, she freed up a slot for someone that house did make her "heart sing". I really see nothing wrong with any of it.

OP - I say go for informal and just see what happens!

I like how randoms like sock-puppet Splash and shirley1929 (both posters I'm not even sure if they are even Greek) want to play the tiniest violin for someone because her heart didn't "sing" when she chose not to even show up to pref for a sorority at Wake Forest. Boo-Hoo!

33girl, you do have a point. I realize that membership selection is different for every GLO but, what I am trying to say is that she chose not to even go to preference because she probably thought she was "above" it or something. The truth is, I'm annoyed by all of these "boo hoo, I was sacked/ let go from recruitment" posts from ungrateful PNMs and their heli-moms.

In case you are a new poster and you weren't aware--let me break it down for you: I DON'T SYMPATHIZE with girls who don't have a valid excuse for dropping out of recruitment (family emergency, getting deployed to the Middle East, sickness, etc.) and then come to GC to cry about not finding a home.

[Splash]

She wasn't complaining about anything. She didn't ask for sympathy and she certainly wasn't crying to us about it. I don't feel sorry for her either, because there's nothing to feel sorry for. She owns and doesn't regret her decision. She was completely political in her first post, simply saying recruitment didn't work out and then spoke solely of re-rushing. There was nothing wrong with her post.

[Optimus Prime]

Originally Posted by deacon14

I just want to say that the only reason I came onto this website was for constructive advice on what I should do about my rushing situation. als465, I find your post incredibly assumptive and hurtful. In fact, the sorority I was left with was not one which I deemed "not good enough" in any way--I actually have many friends in that sorority--rather, I did not want to invest time and money (as every sorority requires) in a sorority that did not absolutely make my heart sing, and I do not regret my decision at all--if given the same situation again, I would have done the same thing.
Thank you for your input, but I believe I will be seeking advice on the subject from other sources. Best wishes.

Will you also get mad when they give you their opinion as well? You asked for it, and got it, so don't be mad. Not everyone is going to give you a lollipop when you are sad. Go through informal and if it doesn't work out, give formal another shot. You turned down the one sorority that was willing to give you a chance and that is not easily forgotten. They probably won't give you a chance again. You can't be picky when your chances are slim.

[deacon14]

thank you everyone for your input! MaggieXi, your post was especially helpful. I'm still yet undecided on whether I will do formal or informal recruitment, because I would really like to bump up my GPA before rushing again. I have a couple weeks to decide, though. And, Optimusprime, I must add that I am not at all angry at anyone's opinions--I just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't a) being whiny and looking down upon organizations or b) asking anyone to feel sorry for me in the first place. Just wanted to see if anyone knew the formal rush climate for a sophomore. thanks again everyone for your input! hope you all have a great year!

[Optimus Prime]

Originally Posted by deacon14

thank you everyone for your input! MaggieXi, your post was especially helpful. I'm still yet undecided on whether I will do formal or informal recruitment, because I would really like to bump up my GPA before rushing again. I have a couple weeks to decide, though. And, Optimusprime, I must add that I am not at all angry at anyone's opinions--I just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't a) being whiny and looking down upon organizations or b) asking anyone to feel sorry for me in the first place. Just wanted to see if anyone knew the formal rush climate for a sophomore. thanks again everyone for your input! hope you all have a great year!

My mistake, it just seemed as if you were getting huffy. I just wanted to add if you really want to make yourself seem like you've been putting in an effort, maybe try to get involved on campus. Try to join an organization and maybe that'll help a little. Good luck to you.