African American going through recruitment at Alabama?

[MaryPoppins]

We at Ole Miss are very proud of Kimbrely Dandridge!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

We at Ole Miss are very proud of Kimbrely Dandridge!

...

[Low C Sharp]

I just want to confirm your point: you're saying that Bama is more rigid/traditional than Ole Miss in this regard, right?

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

I just want to confirm your point: you're saying that Bama is more rigid/traditional than Ole Miss in this regard, right?

I believe that is what OldRow is trying to say. I am not sure that it is 100%? The "top" chapters at Bama (and Auburn for that matter) have so many legacies coming through that it is rare that they would pledge someone not a legacy and also rare that they would pledge someone from out of state.
There are likely not as many AA or Hispanic legacies and not many AA or Hispanic girls at the best high schools in AL (public or private), and I believe this contributes to the overall lack of diversity.

If you took a poll, I am fairly certain that most of those girls at that couple of oldest chapters not only go to the same high schools, they also attend the same churches. Someone who maximizes their options and goes in with an open mind would still be welcomed.

[amIblue?]

My goodness, this is the thread that just keeps on giving.

[DubaiSis]

We ran the numbers last fall and EVERY chapter at Bama took quite a few out of state pledges. Reality doesn't match the thinking that all the pledges are either legacies or from the "best schools in Alabama." That is not to say they aren't competitive, but to say it is an inner sanctum that can't be broached just isn't accurate.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

We ran the numbers last fall and EVERY chapter at Bama took quite a few out of state pledges. Reality doesn't match the thinking that all the pledges are either legacies or from the "best schools in Alabama." That is not to say they aren't competitive, but to say it is an inner sanctum that can't be broached just isn't accurate.

I did not say that it is unbreachable. I said that it was rare. Please do not put words in my mouth.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by HQWest

I did not say that it is unbreachable. I said that it was rare. Please do not put words in my mouth.

I think I saw that spreadsheet and I think it might happen more often than you think.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by HQWest

I did not say that it is unbreachable. I said that it was rare. Please do not put words in my mouth.

Please see this link (below) from last year (scroll to bottom). The numbers were sliced and diced.

59% of women who pledged were from outside Alabama.
Only 3 chapters had more than 50% of their new members from Alabama

To say it is "rare" is false.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...+google&page=3

[DubaiSis]

Hmmmm, I'm wondering if you had a bad day and are getting a little stressed out over your upcoming graduation, move, starting college, making new friends, etc.

You seem like a very sharp girl and I think you're being a little doom'ish right now. I would recommend you go through rush with your head high and no expectations. Maybe they won't be cool enough to appreciate your greatness or maybe you'll decide it's just not your gig, but I wouldn't make that decision until you've actually met some girls and experienced at least the first couple days. Don't sell either you or them short. And in any case, you'll have an opportunity to experience some craziness that not many people get.

Get the recs and give it a shot. That way the decision is YOURS not anyone else's, at least for now. I know it's scary, but there are a lot of things in life that are scary. Try marrying a guy or having a baby! Trust me, there's more scariness in your future. You can do this.

[DaffyKD]

My story is old-- I have children who are older than you. I was not a popular girl in HS by any stretch of the imagination. When the information for sorority rush (yes, it was rush in those days) came in the mail, I immediately threw it away with the attitude that I did not like the popular girls who terrorized me for years, why would I put myself in that position when I went away to school and was starting over. The day after I dumped everything my mother and I had one of our famous knock down dragged out fights. I pulled the sorority info out of the trash and read it again. Rush was before school stared and they opened 1 dorm a week before all the others specifically for girls going through rush. The information said that if you dropped out of rush for any reason, you could stay in the dorm for the rest of the week until the other dorms opened and you could move into you permanent home. The only requirement was you were required to go to the first day parties. I decided to go through rush just so I could get out of the house early.

Now, I was unpopular, and a religious minority who had no self confidence. I decided I could handle putting up with the one day of rush and then I would drop out and go to the beach every day. The first house was Kappa Delta. I really like them when I left the house, but figured they were putting their best foot forward for rush and I was sure every house would come across the same. By the end of the day, the only house I REALLY liked was KD. I decided that I would stay in rush until KD dropped me and then I would make my daily treks to the beach. Imagine my surprise when I was offered a bid!

Today I am an active member of the local alumnae association, was President of the association for 3 years, and was on the national volunteer team. My recommendation is to go through recruitment with an open mind. You may just find you have a pleasant surprise waiting for you at the end. If you don't go through recruitment, you will never know the results and may wonder forever, "what if...?

DaffyKD

[AOII Angel]

I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do. The decision is not easy. No matter what anyone says, there are a lot of dynamics in play here beyond "no black girls go through recruitment." If you do go through, keep your head up and meet a lot of people. If you don't find a sorority to join, make a goal of making new friends. I think these super competitive recruitments are overwhelming for anyone, but when you go in with these kinds of questions, having a lower expectation can temper the disappointment and pain. Being a game changer on a campus is tough.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Being a game changer on a campus is tough.

Yes.

And if you do receive a bid and become a member - that's just the beginning.

It would be one thing if this was a school where it cost $10 to go through rush and clothing wasn't a super big deal - but it's not. Saying "just go through, what do you have to lose" is a little different in these economic times.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yes.

And if you do receive a bid and become a member - that's just the beginning.

It would be one thing if this was a school where it cost $10 to go through rush and clothing wasn't a super big deal - but it's not. Saying "just go through, what do you have to lose" is a little different in these economic times.

Exactly.

[Yoquierotacobel]

Hello,
I'm not even 100% sure if I want to go to Alabama though, but if I do perhaps I'll find my own niche.

I'm still really torn between Alabama, Texas Christian and Southern Methodist. I would have liked the other school, but they flat out denied me lol
There are so many things I have to look at while considering college and there are positives and negatives to each school. I was leaning more towards Texas Christian and the rejected school, because they're Christian based and I'm baptist and religion and church are extremely important to me.

I understand rush at any of the schools of my choice happens to be very, very competitive and one must be well-prepared. I'm not naive enough to think that by not going through recruitment at Alabama and choosing to go through at Southern Methodist or Texas Christian, will make recruitment easier, cause that's not true.

I definitely felt more welcomed at Texas Christian and Southern Methodist. I mean, when you go for a college visit, they send you personalized cards saying "Dear Suzi Wuzi, we hope you enjoyed your visit on 00/00/2012 etc." It's amazing! Plus, I really like the tight knit community feeling at Texas Christian and Southern Methodist. Very welcoming communities and schools. Love that about them.

Anyways, I haven't completely ruled out going through recruitment at other schools. I probably won't update publicly where I decide to go, just in case I do decide to go through recruitment, but I'll update afterwards or send PMs to people I've spoken to through PM and let them/y'all know my decision and whether I did go through or not.