Texas A&M: To rush or not to rush?

[HQWest]

I looked it up to double check for the PACE program at UT, and while PACE women may go through recruitment at UT, some sororities will not be able to pledge them because of their national restrictions. The decisions are being made by the individual chapters. I would assume the same groups would do this for Blinn women at A&M. I would be prepared for heavy cuts - as if you were a grade risk (which I believe is one of the concerns?).

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by HQWest

I looked it up to double check for the PACE program at UT, and while PACE women may go through recruitment at UT, some sororities will not be able to pledge them because of their national restrictions. The decisions are being made by the individual chapters. I would assume the same groups would do this for Blinn women at A&M. I would be prepared for heavy cuts - as if you were a grade risk (which I believe is one of the concerns?).

This is my understanding as well. It's definitely a gray area that has become potentially black & white due to some national restrictions/bylaws/etc...

WARNING: HUGE GENERALIZATION FOR PURPOSES OF EXAMPLE AHEAD...

What I mean by that is that you have Person A who went to uber-competitive small private high school and is in the top 20% of a class of geniuses, but doesn't get into A&M or UT in the traditional way because of it. Person B goes to Podunk High, in a class of 300 that only 1/3 is headed to any sort of higher education. Person B is in the top 5% of her class, gets into A&M & UT in the traditional manner, but really may not be fully prepared to be in an academically tough environment.

The argument to be made is that Person A might be on Blinn Team (or PACE) AND completely ready for competitive higher education, as well as the demand of a sorority, is well-liked, well-rounded, great recs etc... But, because of individual group rules/bylaws, may not be able to receive a bid. Panhellenic is letting them go through, but the groups themselves will have to make the decisions as to whether or not they can extend them an invitation or eventually a bid.

Will be interesting to see how it shakes out this year.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

This is my understanding as well. It's definitely a gray area that has become potentially black & white due to some national restrictions/bylaws/etc...

WARNING: HUGE GENERALIZATION FOR PURPOSES OF EXAMPLE AHEAD...

What I mean by that is that you have Person A who went to uber-competitive small private high school and is in the top 20% of a class of geniuses, but doesn't get into A&M or UT in the traditional way because of it. Person B goes to Podunk High, in a class of 300 that only 1/3 is headed to any sort of higher education. Person B is in the top 5% of her class, gets into A&M & UT in the traditional manner, but really may not be fully prepared to be in an academically tough environment.

The argument to be made is that Person A might be on Blinn Team (or PACE) AND completely ready for competitive higher education, as well as the demand of a sorority, is well-liked, well-rounded, great recs etc... But, because of individual group rules/bylaws, may not be able to receive a bid. Panhellenic is letting them go through, but the groups themselves will have to make the decisions as to whether or not they can extend them an invitation or eventually a bid.

Will be interesting to see how it shakes out this year.

Yes. This would seem to be another unintended consequence of Bush's 10% rule (now 8%) that was to help students from underrepresented groups and rural areas get in to the top schools in Texas. On the one hand it has made for a more diverse student body and has really helped continue to grow the program. On the other hand, some of these students will struggle with the rigors of a huge university and grade inflation is running rampant at schools that historically would have sent more students to UT or A&M.

(Meanwhile, Bama, Auburn, and U.Ark. are happily accepting the students from the 9-10% from those top uber competitive schools.... )

[33girl]

If that's the case then I think those sororities should have to disclose that they can't pledge these women. That's not membership selection, that's a hard and fast rule (like you can't pledge if you're a dude).

[BAckbOwlsgIrl]

If certain groups are unable to pledge these women due to national rules, then why should they even attend their parties?
Why waste anyone's time; the chapter and the PNM's?
It seems unfair for a PNM to visit a chapter that she will not be able to join due to her status. Not that it doesn't happen with grade cuts, but this is pretty outright.