African American going through recruitment at Alabama?

[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?

[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!

...

[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

[Yoquierotacobel]

Hi, I just wanted to give somewhat of an update on my decisions for those who care or have an interest, not that I'm full of myself and think people actually do happen to care lol but for those interest, here it is. I've thought long & hard about going through with sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama or my other top choices of schools which were Texas Christian, University of Arkansas and Southern Methodist, and the another choice I didn't get accepted into lol but, I won't go through with recruitment.

I really do want to stay somewhere in the south, close enough, yet far away enough from home. The south itself is not racist nor are the people, but the culture of southern sororities just isn't in my reach, in a way. It's nearly impossible to say why someone at Alabama or another competitive school would get cut, cause it's hundreds of girls with similar resumes and backgrounds, but, if race is indeed one of the biggest obstacles [that I can't change], then I rather just float around for the next 4 years or so. It'd be nice if I could change the obstacle, something like weight or not being involved enough, but, that's life I suppose. Life isn't meant to be fair for all and unfortunately for me, this is one of those cases. I also do not want to base where I go to college on Greek life and whether I'd be accepted, because I felt comfortable during all college visits, but 1(the one that rejected me), so I know there will be other outlets and organizations for me, I will just have to drift toward them or find them myself! In another life, maybe where race had not been a big deal or if I was white, I would go through life. But, since that's not happening any time soon, I shall take life for what it is and what is thrown at me.

Anyways, I thank you all for taking the time to read my thread and reply. Thanks!

I apologize ahead of time for grammar mistakes, punctuation mistakes and any other form of English-literary-composition mistakes.

[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.