Preparing for Spring Rush, and a bit nervous!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by hsonah

I go to an elite northeastern school where our rush isn't until spring semester. Coming in, most people know already know one or two girls in each sorority. I don't know any of the girls in sororities, and haven't really gotten to know any that well so far. Last year, around 400 girls rushed, and only 250 ended up joining a sorority, so I'm just getting nervous that I won't get into one, because we only have four.

It doesn't matter how many sororities there are. If 800 girls rushed and they all stayed in rush until the end, there would be 200 girls joining every sorority. That's how quota and total work. The reason those 150 girls didn't get a bid is not because there wasn't "room" for them. As everyone previously said, it's likely that they dropped out on their own. It's also likely that the number may have been inflated or exaggerated to make the sororities seem more "elite."

[AnchorAlumna]

I can't believe nobody has yet said "get recommendations to each sorority." I realize that sororities at any Northeastern US college - elite or not - will find that rare, but a good rec will make you stand out.
Recommendations should come from sorority alumnae. Start NOW!!!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I can't believe nobody has yet said "get recommendations to each sorority." I realize that sororities at any Northeastern US college - elite or not - will find that rare, but a good rec will make you stand out.
Recommendations should come from sorority alumnae. Start NOW!!!

It's probably far more important for her to spend her time getting to know current members. If the chapters don't see recs often, it might make her name remembered slightly, but it's doubtful that it will change anyone's mind if the group really doesn't like her.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It's probably far more important for her to spend her time getting to know current members. If the chapters don't see recs often, it might make her name remembered slightly, but it's doubtful that it will change anyone's mind if the group really doesn't like her.

I agree with you that meeting current members is more important, but getting recs is something she can do as another step to being remembered.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I agree with you that meeting current members is more important, but getting recs is something she can do as another step to being remembered.

I will go out on a limb and say if she gets PERSONAL recs (i.e. from a relative or good friend who is a member) it may help, but an info-only rec if her campus doesn't do recs much at all? It will just look like she thinks she has an "in" and will probably cause comments like "why is some old biddy from ChaCha U telling us to pledge this girl she doesn't even know? That's weird. Drop her now, please."

And if she has to break her back getting in touch with sorority alumnae she doesn't know from Eve - she is wasting time she could be spending getting to know the sisters who will, um, actually be in the chapter with her.

I know this is the exact opposite of many schools but if her school really is "elite" the students are probably not of a mindset to listen to what anyone from other schools tells them, in any arena, sorority rush included.