Registration for Florida State 2013 Fall Recruitment Announced - Page 2

Fsu2016 · #1 05-12-2013, 09:18 PM

I see. Perhaps, as FSUZeta mentioned, rushing Aopi might be a better choice. Would it also be better financially? I can't imagine their dues being too astronomical since they don't have a house/meal plan/etc

irishpipes · #2 05-12-2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fsu2016

I see. Perhaps, as FSUZeta mentioned, rushing Aopi might be a better choice. Would it also be better financially? I can't imagine their dues being too astronomical since they don't have a house/meal plan/etc

I would not assume that a new colony would have lower dues. They may have a meal plan. Even without a house, they want colony members to bond and may have meals at a dorm or other location. You would not be paying room and board as you would if you were living in a chapter house, but would still pay parlor fees (just like a new member or out of house member of any other chapter.)

DeltaBetaBaby · #3 05-12-2013, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I would not assume that a new colony would have lower dues. They may have a meal plan. Even without a house, they want colony members to bond and may have meals at a dorm or other location. You would not be paying room and board as you would if you were living in a chapter house, but would still pay parlor fees (just like a new member or out of house member of any other chapter.)

You also should NOT think that getting into a colony will be easier, or that they won't care about your GPA.

FSUZeta · #4 05-13-2013, 07:56 AM

Some sororities do offer scholarships and/or financial assistance (for emergency situations), but some don't and you would really have no way of finding out which ones did offer them. I would imagine a brand new member would not be eligible for those right away, anyway. As with most scholarships/financial assistance, etc., it would not be automatically granted for the next year, so making a long term commitment based on short term resources might not be advisable.

There are sorority members who work in order to pay for their dues. Would that be an option for you? If so, you would need to be mindful of how flexible your time would be. You need to allow time to study, as well as time to enjoy your sorority membership. Could you work this summer and save that money to use toward your first semester dues?

I would imagine that most sororities do offer payment plans so that dues/room/board are stretched out over the whole semester. You have learned that the most expensive part of your membership will be the first semester, when one time new member fees, initiation fee and badge purchase are assessed.

More than your class standing, your GPA will probably be a detriment to your recruitment, but different chapters will have different GPA requirements. Many of the chapters used to (like in the past couple of years) mention the minimum GPA they were looking for on their chapter websites. You might see if they still do.

Realize that some things are stacked against you, and do what you can to make up for that. You have 2 recs. and that is good, but you really, really, really do need recs. to all the houses. That is something you can control-so do whatever if takes to find the recs. you need.

greekdee · #5 05-12-2013, 09:27 PM

I don't know if this is the case at FSU (and FSUZeta can probably address this) but some sororities have payment plans. Most of the PNMs I do recs for are in the SEC and the financials have been a concern for some of them -- but they were all able to use a payment plan option for managing their dues and fees.

Fsu2016 · #6 05-12-2013, 10:23 PM

So I did some research and was able to get my typically quiet ex-suite mate to crunch some numbers with me and explain the financial aid. She told me that if I got aid, at least for her sorority, it would be very little. I'd have to pay everything plus the other fees for t-shirts, big appreciation, and philanthropy paraphernalia. She said the payment plans do help but after calculating everything I'd still have to take out loans to afford membership and the loan debt would be around 15,000 (using the median dues&misc fees range of 2,500 a semester. 2 semesters {$5000}over three years=15000) and I just can't afford it

She was quite saddened on the phone when she told me her advice and it was to consider either AOPII (though she said their dues would be less the first year but increase significantly, in her opinion and assumption) or forfeit being in a sorority altogether.

I'm also very sad because it was something I wanted soo much and I was so excited about but I don't want to be more in debt than I already I am.

greekdee · #7 05-13-2013, 12:58 AM

I know it's disappointing to find out that the expenses are too much, but you're wise to be investigating it now. Too many go full steam into recruitment, pledge a chapter, love it and then realize they can't continue because of the financial obligations. They then have to drop from a chapter they've come to care about.

Fsu2016 · #8 05-29-2013, 03:08 PM

Hi ladies! I just wanted to post to give y'all a very exciting update!!

After chatting with my roommate and getting feedback on here, I decided to sit down with my parents (who do support my decision to go Greek) about the reality of my financial obligations in joining a sorority and after much talk they have agreed to help me with the help of the sorority payment plans!!! I am so happy!! The reason they agreed is that my mom had told me if I didn't pledge a sorority, she wanted me to get an FSU meal plan because cooking this year was very hard for me with all my work and involvement. So I convinced her that if she was willing to pay for a meal plan (around same price as sorority dues) why not help me afford membership!

Also, I sent a letter to my financial aid office requesting more funds (I didn't receive as much due to a discrepancy, my fault, in my FAFSA) and they said they would take a look and see what they could offer me. I know that it's not at all a guarantee that I will get more, but it does make me hopeful. Even if they don't, however, my parents are still helping me which is enough.

Also, I took FSUZeta's advice and really hustled to get rec's. I already had 2, from two women in my church, but I didn't know anyone else. I literally couldn't find ANYONE! So I decided to email the alumnae chapters in Tallahassee and almost all of them responded that they would love to write me a recommendation! I've put a lot of minutes in my phone and lots of Skype dates but it has been so worth it. Not only for rec's but just to have met such incredible women and learn how much their sororities impacted and shaped their lives.

I don't know if any of you are Christians, but I am and I feel that this has been such a blessing from the Lord. I have been praying so much about this and was really, really crushed when I thought that I couldn't be a sorority woman. I feel like my prayers have been answered and I'm so overwhelmed with joy.

I've also been applying at a ton of places to work this summer and have already begun applying for on campus jobs so hopefully I will get something and be able to save up this summer.

Thank you again for all your insight and advice. Though some things are still up in the air, I know for sure that I have some recs (and hopefully more to come!), am able to pay my dues, and already registered for recruitment. I'm so excited! August 18th can't seem to come fast enough! I'll keep everyone posted on my recruitment experience and where I find my home

greekdee · #9 05-29-2013, 03:39 PM

I'm so glad to hear things are coming together. I'm a Christian and a firm believer in the power of prayer. I know many PNMs who have prayed about, and been prayed for, regarding their recruitments and finding the right sorority. May He continue to lead, bless and open doors for you.

Knowing you can handle the financials and that recs are in the works are two biggies -- I know it's a relief having just those two things reined in. Enjoy getting ready for recruitment and keep us posted on how it goes!

FSUZeta · #10 05-29-2013, 04:37 PM

I love hearing good news!!! I admire your fortitude, faith, and dedication in working to find solutions. I am so glad that the Tallahassee alumnae chapters are helping you out. Please keep us updated, and if you have any questions/concerns remember, we are here to help.

irishpipes · #11 06-04-2013, 12:13 PM

This is a quote from the FSU 2013 recruitment guide:

Is a Recommendation Necessary for my Student to Get a Bid?
No! Recommendation letters are not required to receive a bid, and you will not in any way be penalized if a letter or form is not submitted on your behalf.

That is so unbelievably misleading.

FSUZeta · #12 06-04-2013, 12:18 PM

^^It truly is deceiving. FSU PNMs please read:

You do not need recommendation letters to enroll in FSU recruitment, HOWEVER, you really, truly need recs. to have a successful recruitment(i.e., get invited back to parties and ultimately receive a bid) at Florida State.

irishpipes · #13 06-04-2013, 12:21 PM

In fact, "you will not in any way be penalized" is membership selection, and is outright wrong. Panhellenic should be called on the carpet for that. That goes way beyond the technicality that recs are not required in order to participate.

DeltaBetaBaby · #14 06-04-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishpipes

In fact, "you will not in any way be penalized" is membership selection, and is outright wrong. Panhellenic should be called on the carpet for that. That goes way beyond the technicality that recs are not required in order to participate.

It seems like that would be the best way to phrase it, too: "You do not need recs to participate in recruitment, but the individual policies of each sorority are private" or something.

AnchorAlum · #15 06-04-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishpipes

In fact, "you will not in any way be penalized" is membership selection, and is outright wrong. Panhellenic should be called on the carpet for that. That goes way beyond the technicality that recs are not required in order to participate.

If your daughter is attending a school that is popular with out of state students, I can assure you that if she shows up without a rec, it's far easier for chapters to go with the easy way out during a late night membership selection and take a PNM who went to the same high school in Orlando that some of the members did, rather than a high school in South Carolina. It's called a safe pick, regardless of what Panhellenic may say.

I say this as a former VP of Membership (aka Rush Chairman), a chapter advisor, and a Chairman of a MAJOR city's Panhellenic Rush Council.