I guess it’s time for a special guest appearance on Greekchat. I’ve never been able to turn down a request from an old friend. Thanks for the love and heads up.
This isn’t your sister’s/mom’s/aunt’s/cousin’s recruitment. UT Greek life is very traditional and its recruitment is cutthroat. I don’t see your story, no matter how commendable, as being looked upon as something that makes you more desirable. Like others mentioned, if anything it might have the opposite effect. How in the world can this person balance running a business with sorority commitments, school and other involvement requirements?
Since UT admissions are so difficult, you are competing with PNMs with extraordinary qualifications; perfect GPAs and waist deep in extracurriculars, awards and honors. Just about everyone has them, so unless you’ve cured cancer between solving world hunger and bringing peace to the middle east, they don’t make you stand out the way they would at many schools. Almost all of them will be from Texas and known to sorority members too since the UT out-of-state undergrad population is relatively small. That will also create a disadvantage. This is where the almighty much talked about “connections” come into play.
There is a small and separate non-freshman quota. Not all chapters use it and not all chapters fully utilize it. It's up to each chapter's discretion. Historically, those who receive bids under that quota are PNMs already known to sorority members and have those members pulling for them in the house. Those connections are critical and are usually due to them being known from home towns/high schools/camps etc. or from forging deep and legitimate friendships during freshman year at Texas. Your being from out of state and not having the benefit of attending UT with the opportunity to meet and form relationships with sorority members during your first year puts you at a huge disadvantage. To be honest, so does your age. Again, it’s a very traditional Greek system.
You must, and I can’t stress this enough, have at least one letter of support or recommendation per chapter. More than one is better. The vast majority of chapters at UT will drop you right after open house round without it. Make sure all your relatives submit them to those chapters and definitely make sure those relatives that make you a legacy submit that paperwork. Legacy status is very important for many chapters at UT. It won’t get you a bid, but it can help keep you around a little longer so you have the opportunity to make a good impression.
Be honest with yourself too. It sounds like you’ve been out on your own and making a go of it for a couple of years. Are you really ready to bond with a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds fresh out of high school? Also, some chapters have live-in requirements. Will you be down with that and all its restrictions and requirements as a 21 or 22 year old? The expense is also a big factor. We have huge houses to maintain and lots of social commitments as well as incidentals that add up like clothing, going out with sisters, Big/Little gifts, fines etc. It’s a big chunk of change plus a lot of constant smaller costs.
Another thing you should be made aware of is admission to McCombs is extremely competitive. A 3.8 GPA community college transfer may not cut it. It is also a rigorous program, and it will be very demanding of your time. Balancing your school work, business and sorority responsibilities will take an exceptional amount of work and dedication. I think most people can predict which one would fall by the wayside fastest.
So while it isn’t impossible, it will be an uphill battle. I say sign up for recruitment and see how it works out. Make sure to get all your recommendations and legacy introductions in order. Go in with a positive attitude and most importantly an extremely open mind. Be honest with yourself that this is what you want to do. You will never know and will always have doubts if you don’t go through recruitment.
I would also suggest that you delete this post and all identifying information. There are many UT sorority members who check out this site although they aren’t active contributors. Things have gone sideways for PNMs because of what’s been said or misconstrued here. You want to have the best chance of success and not be identifiable as “that pastry girl from Greekchat.”
Hybrid Mode
