2.4 GPA- should I even bother?

[80sbabe]

Thank you for the advice. I have done some research and have not found any exact GPA requirements for the NPC, but I'm well aware that they exist and I am certain to be under them. However, I feel like three things might help me out: a) my ACT score, which shows that I am intelligent and capable, b) my legacy status (I know it doesn't mean much but at least it's something), and c) I have already been accepted to a prestigious leadership program on campus.

Anyway, I haven't signed up for recruitment or sent any recs, but I have contacted an alumni from every sorority just in case. Should I participate in rush just so I can meet people, and keep my fingers crossed? Do you think the three above factors could work a miracle for me?

[Old_Row]

Originally Posted by 80sbabe

Thank you for the advice. I have done some research and have not found any exact GPA requirements for the NPC, but I'm well aware that they exist and I am certain to be under them. However, I feel like three things might help me out: a) my ACT score, which shows that I am intelligent and capable, b) my legacy status (I know it doesn't mean much but at least it's something), and c) I have already been accepted to a prestigious leadership program on campus.

Anyway, I haven't signed up for recruitment or sent any recs, but I have contacted an alumni from every sorority just in case. Should I participate in rush just so I can meet people, and keep my fingers crossed? Do you think the three above factors could work a miracle for me?

I am an active at an SEC school and can honestly say I think you should wait. No one cares what your ACT score was. Your high school GPA speaks for itself. It's almost worse that your test score is high because it shows that you don't bother. Not trying to be mean but just honest here. There are a bazillion beautiful, qualified, involved and darling PNMs with good to spectacular GPAs and no one is going to waste an invite for one of them by taking a chance on you. They probably couldn't even if they wanted to because if you do not even meet a bare minimum national GPA then you'd pretty much would have to be a famous person or something for someone to go out of their way to get some kind of special permission if that's even allowed. No one has time for that in an SEC rush. Also you might want to know that with some sororities at competitive schools, once they have cut you, they will always cut you if you go through again. So don't waste your possible only chance right off the bat because you have grades that don't even make a bare minimum. It's also honestly kind of late to be getting your letters in at this point especially considering your grade issue.

Prove yourself your first year in school and get great grades not only for recruitment but most of all for yourself. Get involved on campus and meet a lot of people and make good friendships and some of those may even include sorority members. Make yourself in the best position you can be in even if you are a sophomore.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 80sbabe

Thank you for the advice. I have done some research and have not found any exact GPA requirements for the NPC, but I'm well aware that they exist and I am certain to be under them. However, I feel like three things might help me out: a) my ACT score, which shows that I am intelligent and capable, b) my legacy status (I know it doesn't mean much but at least it's something), and c) I have already been accepted to a prestigious leadership program on campus.

Anyway, I haven't signed up for recruitment or sent any recs, but I have contacted an alumni from every sorority just in case. Should I participate in rush just so I can meet people, and keep my fingers crossed? Do you think the three above factors could work a miracle for me?

In an SEC recruitment setting, being below the chapter minimum GPA might get you by if you know a lot of sisters and if they just HAVE to have you as a sister. If you're going in knowing no one, and you have a GPA below the national minimum, you don't have much of a chance.. if you have one at all.

I can say with almost 100% certainty that if you're below the minimum national GPA for all sororities, nothing will get you in. I'm sorry if that sounds a little harsh, but it's the truth. This is probably one of those rare instances where people can generally provide you with your "chances" of receiving a bid.

ETA: And as has been said, sororities on a national level do not take SAT/ACT scores into account. Whether they do on a chapter level, I couldn't tell you. I don't believe any chapters receive your actual transcripts, but I could be wrong...

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by 80sbabe

Thank you for the advice. I have done some research and have not found any exact GPA requirements for the NPC, but I'm well aware that they exist and I am certain to be under them. However, I feel like three things might help me out: a) my ACT score, which shows that I am intelligent and capable, b) my legacy status (I know it doesn't mean much but at least it's something), and c) I have already been accepted to a prestigious leadership program on campus.

Anyway, I haven't signed up for recruitment or sent any recs, but I have contacted an alumni from every sorority just in case. Should I participate in rush just so I can meet people, and keep my fingers crossed? Do you think the three above factors could work a miracle for me?

(warning: mom lecture)
At a number of SEC schools, your ACT score, accompanied by your activities and a decent GPA -- even like a 3.5 at some schools, would have likely made you eligible for a full 4-year ride. You have a clean slate entering college now -- write a different story this time around!

As to your question about what may help you:

a) What your ACT score conveys about your capability may render what your GPA conveys about your work ethic and academic commitment, by comparison, to be negative.

b) I don't think your legacy status will help. Most PNMs are legacies.

c) Yes! Being accepted to the leadership program is a good thing -- especially for recruitment next year.

Just my opinion -- you are capable of ending your freshman year with a 4.0 and great activities. Get involved -- make friends -- dominate the academics -- and go through recruitment next fall as a top sophomore PNM.

Good luck to you beginning this new chapter of your life -- whatever you decide.