UGA 2013 Sorority Recruitment - Page 6

UGAalum94 · #76 08-10-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybug12

I honestly think that with the overwhelming number of legacies and PNMs with competetive recruitments in the SEC and elsewhere, the power of references has been diluted.
When there were only 600 women going through recruitment at Alabama or Georgia 12 years ago, it was easy to see who had references and who did not. Now with 1600-2200 women, no one in their right mind can keep up with who has references or how many they have.
I think most chapters note WHO is writing the rec, like national officers, foundation members, etc. But, I think if you have an alumna writing your rec who has not done a thing, paid alumnae dues, or given money to your foundation since she graduated...you need to take into account that her reference will not stand up compared to the PNM who has Nancy National Officer who has known her since birth who writes a reference and follows up with the chapter to let them know what a great girl she is....

While I think you're probably right that who writes your rec matters at some chapters and even that the power of recs may have been diluted, I think most SEC chapters have systems in place to get and track recs.

As far as the question about how great girls who don't know anything about recruitment still do well, it's important to remember that chapters seek out rec writers and that alumnae often actively look into sending recs for PNMs who may not even know they have them. Just because a girl doesn't know she has a rec, doesn't mean she doesn't have one.

DubaiSis · #77 08-10-2013, 09:58 PM

This varies by sorority. Some require a rec so they'll find an alumna to write one for a girl they love. Others don't care as much about the power of the recommendation. The problem for the girl going through rush is you don't know which is which. And that's why, while I'm not a fan of the way recs are gathered as part of a mandatory part of rush prep, I'd still say if you are going to a school where this is tradition, I'd still do it. Why self-limit?

Bamamom13 · #78 08-10-2013, 10:39 PM

My rec girl had 11 houses yesterday. She had a full schedule today but was cut hard by some of her favorites. She had one of her favorites and two others that she could really see herself as a sister. I am hoping her Preference list tomorrow includes those three.

UGAalum94 · #79 08-10-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

This varies by sorority. Some require a rec so they'll find an alumna to write one for a girl they love. Others don't care as much about the power of the recommendation. The problem for the girl going through rush is you don't know which is which. And that's why, while I'm not a fan of the way recs are gathered as part of a mandatory part of rush prep, I'd still say if you are going to a school where this is tradition, I'd still do it. Why self-limit?

Totally.

My point about chapters and alumnae initiating some recs was just to emphasize the point that some PNMS with recs don't know it. They say things like, "I didn't have a single rec and got invited back to max parties every round." Maybe that's true, but it's also possible that you had some recs that you didn't even know about, and you're misleading PNMs who might not have your connections.

ArtLlama · #80 08-10-2013, 11:23 PM

Apparently UGA Recruitment made Bleacher Report - or some charming tradition involving college meatheads and mopeds, anyway. I thought of you guys.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...sorority-girls

PearlGirl13 · #81 08-11-2013, 07:04 AM

Hugely disappointed daughter this morning. I'm trying hard to find the right things to say. She was only invited to two pref parties and more importantly did not get invited back to her "favorite". This is soooooo tough.

I'm wishing I had more conversations with her about considering the possibility of NOT pledging anywhere at all. We just both kept saying that we "trusted the process" - which btw, I still do, I'm just not sure if either of these two houses are the right ones for her and if the process is telling her that she would be better off not pledging.

uga17mom · #82 08-11-2013, 07:18 AM

Same thing happened to my daughter. Her two favorites are gone and she also is left with two. She said she will give them a chance. Her good friend got "the call" last night. I'm so sad for her.

Katmandu · #83 08-11-2013, 08:14 AM

Pref parties can change minds. This board is filled with stories of women who felt little or no connections with the chapters they were attending for pref, but found the longer party time, the more serious conversations and the realization that these women REALLY want you as part of their sisterhood....makes a huge difference.

And really, with chapter sizes of 250-300, is it really possible that the typical college girl will find ZERO connections there? Mostly it is hurt pride and raw emotions at play. If girls can push past that, they can be very happy, usually.

lilybeth3 · #84 08-11-2013, 08:33 AM

wishing all the uga girls best of luck today during Prefs....

SWTXBelle · #85 08-11-2013, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlGirl13

Hugely disappointed daughter this morning. I'm trying hard to find the right things to say. She was only invited to two pref parties and more importantly did not get invited back to her "favorite". This is soooooo tough.

I'm wishing I had more conversations with her about considering the possibility of NOT pledging anywhere at all. We just both kept saying that we "trusted the process" - which btw, I still do, I'm just not sure if either of these two houses are the right ones for her and if the process is telling her that she would be better off not pledging.

Very, very rarely would a pnm be better off not pledging. Having been through dozens of recruitments I can authoritatively say the process is telling her "THESE TWO HOUSES REALLY WANT YOU. Open your heart and mind and see if you can't see yourself as a sister to these women who obviously see something in you that those who cut you did not."

Sciencewoman · #86 08-11-2013, 09:00 AM

^^^ Preach it, sister!

Bamamom16 · #87 08-11-2013, 09:12 AM

I agree with SWTXBelle on this! Keep in mind, your daughters are exhausted and run down, plus they have experienced the gamut of emotions during the week! Add to this the fact that UGA starts classes on bid day, and you have one crazed emotional exhausted nervous teenager!! My daughter went through similar emotions last year during her recruitment at Bama (all except the starting classes part on bid day, thankfully!). The house she ended up in was perfect for her, and it had always been on the radar from Panhellenic Preview Weekends the prior winter, but during rush she would call with 'new favorites' and differing viewpoints. As she approached the final rounds, several favorites still existed, but for prefs, even though she had a full 3 invites, only 1 was where she could see herself. She was a bit stung that the other two houses had dropped her. She ended up in that one and never thought back on the other 2 again. When I have asked since then if she feels the process worked for her, she says ABSOLUTELY! She knows she is exactly where she was meant to be.

Sciencewoman · #88 08-11-2013, 09:24 AM

She'd probably even be saying that if she'd ended up in any of the three, because she'd never know anything different! All sororities have wonderful experiences to offer.

Last year, there were harsh cuts at my daughter's campus. Most girls experienced heavy cuts after the first and second rounds. Several of my daughter's hall mates were released right before Pref. For those who joined, all were happy with where they ended up. From what she's said, not being able to participate in Greek Life at all was much more difficult for those girls than being dropped by a favorite along the way. Dropping or being cut is a disappointment that lasted much longer than the temporary disappointment of not getting your favorite.

Two of her friends were especially upset when they had to go to the dorm housing lottery...while those who had joined were excited about moving into their sororities sophomore year.

PearlGirl13 · #89 08-11-2013, 10:20 AM

Dear Supportive Strangers

Thank you for all of this! Your words are becoming my texts! First of two pref parties done and she is sounding a bit brighter.

UGAalum94 · #90 08-11-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlGirl13

Hugely disappointed daughter this morning. I'm trying hard to find the right things to say. She was only invited to two pref parties and more importantly did not get invited back to her "favorite". This is soooooo tough.

I'm wishing I had more conversations with her about considering the possibility of NOT pledging anywhere at all. We just both kept saying that we "trusted the process" - which btw, I still do, I'm just not sure if either of these two houses are the right ones for her and if the process is telling her that she would be better off not pledging.

I can understand your daughter feeling this way. Recruitment makes you exhausted and crazy. But why would you see not pledging as the better option? Did you know many sorority women who were unhappy that they joined?

My experience was that the women in all groups, even the ones who weren't wild about where they pledged at first, tended to be happy they were members.