2.4 GPA and looking to rush at University of Alabama? - Page 2

stef831 · #1 03-19-2016, 04:03 PM

Again...I do have to echo the sentiments here. See what you can do to raise your GPA as high as possible. My daughter went thru COB this past spring, and she accepted a bid from kappa alpha theta, at an extremely competitive SEC school- as she wanted to really wanted to start strong and missed the cutoff for formal recruitment. I can tell you first hand that they do look very heavily on your grades. In fact, they have to even submit mid-term grades where my daughter attends. Its a big part trust me. I would not put the stress on myself at this point, but rather take everyone's suggestions and study hard freshman year raise your GPA as high as possible and rush in your sophomore year. I truly wish you the best!!

Sciencewoman · #2 03-19-2016, 04:43 PM

We have a minimum incoming GPA requirement, which is set at the international level. I think this is pretty typical, but the minimum can vary from group to group. The Alabama recruitment guide lists "suggested" GPAs (these may be the international minimum, or they may be a locally set higher minimum). While chapters may have some leeway with locally set higher GPA minimums, chapters cannot extend a bid to you if you do not meet the group's (inter)national minimum. Last year's guide indicates that every group has at least a 3.0 listed, and some are higher. Take these seriously...they are listed to give PNMs guidance in situations like yours.

http://www.uapanhellenic.com/greek-chic.html

You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot by getting released during freshman recruitment due to sub-minimum HS grades...then earning a great GPA and getting involved freshman year, only to have a potentially successful sophomore recruitment derailed because chapters remember you had a low GPA when you went through the previous year. Better to have a fresh start and go in strong sophomore year, in my opinion.

ladybug12 · #3 03-19-2016, 07:24 PM

Despite all of the advice to not rush fall 2016, you keep coming back with different questions. No, I do not think that a 2.7 would change your outcome unless you had some very strong personal connections in some houses who could explain your situation and point out your stellar community service.
It really sounds like you have a lot to offer but I think you will have more options if you get involved next fall and make great grades.
But, the ultimate choice is up to you. Those of us who know this campus have tried to give you honest opinions.

Titchou · #4 03-19-2016, 07:31 PM

Let me explain it this way. Over 2300 women will register and go thru the first day at Alabama. For the second round, all the groups will have to release some women. After only 20 minutes of floating thru their houses the first round, how do you think they are going to pick the 200 or more they have to release? Pull up that Excel spreadsheet, sort according to GPA and count them off. You won't make the cut. Don't put yourself in that position when you have a viable alternative. Learn to defer gratification.

ladybug12 · #5 03-19-2016, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titchou

Let me explain it this way. Over 2300 women will register and go thru the first day at Alabama. For the second round, all the groups will have to release some women. After only 20 minutes of floating thru their houses the first round, how do you think they are going to pick the 200 or more they have to release? Pull up that Excel spreadsheet, sort according to GPA and count them off. You won't make the cut. Don't put yourself in that position when you have a viable alternative. Learn to defer gratification.

My organization has to release about half of the total PNMs first round, so use your information with 1000+ releases first round...

Titchou · #6 03-19-2016, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybug12

My organization has to release about half of the total PNMs first round, so use your information with 1000+ releases first round...

Each group has a different number to release. But if 99% of the PNMs have a 3.0 or better, whether they have to release 200 or 1000, she's going to be in the ones released.

FSUZeta · #7 03-19-2016, 07:31 PM

A 2.7 will be an improvement, but it will still be hard to overcome a GPA below a 3.00.

Several thousand girls will rush, most who have numerous volunteer hours, recommendations, are well put together, and good conversationalists-just like you. What will set them apart from you is they will have gpas of 3.0 or higher. Low GPAs are the easiest cut to make and all the chapters will have to cut some PNMs at some point.

You will have a much better chance receiving a bid if you study hard, get a 3.0 or higher your first semester, join an organization such as Freshman Forum as HartofSEC suggested, make friends with fellow freshmen, and rush in 2017. I don't know any other way to tell you, as you have been told this over and over and over.

FSUZeta · #8 03-19-2016, 07:50 PM

Look at the link provided by Sciencewoman. Go to page 34. Read it. Printed in bold letters it says, and I paraphrase, " it is highly recommended that PNMs have a 3.0 or over".

On the same page it gives three zones of GPAs, green, yellow, and red. The green zone is 3.0 and higher, the yellow zone is 2.8 to 2.99, and red zone is 2.79 and below, which is where your GPA falls. You have the least chance of having a successful recruitment if your GPA falls in the red zone. You will still be in the red zone should you raise your GPA as you hope. Yellow zone girls will also have a tough time, but the red zone girls will suffer the worst cuts.

Did you see that the average freshman GPA is 3.65 and the average college GPA is 3.18?That is the average. Even if you raise your GPA you will still be well below that.

irishpipes · #9 03-19-2016, 08:20 PM

Keep in mind that some groups have a "once cut, always cut" philosophy. If you go through this fall just to see what happens and end up bidless, your options may be greatly reduced for future recruitments.

Also, without knowing your full story, chapters may look negatively on your community service. They may wonder if you will make good time-management decisions. Sorority life presents an overwhelming number of options for philanthropy and social activities. If you have a history of choosing those activities over grades, they might perceive you as a severe grade risk.

FSUZeta · #10 03-19-2016, 09:42 PM

Kenzie, even the chapters won't know if they qualify to participate in spring recruitment until after everyone returns from Christmas break. The earliest they might know would be the first few weeks of class Spring semester 2017. You should call the Greek life office after classes begin spring semester 2017 and ask to enroll in informal recruitment.

DubaiSis · #11 03-20-2016, 02:00 AM

Or alternatively, do whatever you want. These women don't really know what they're talking about. Yes, they've literally seen tens of thousands (yes, literally tens of thousands) of young women walk through the doors of their chapter houses at the University of Alabama and have overseen the dismissal of, again, tens of thousands of young women. But you are a super special snowflake and know better than them. So I'd go for it.

shadokat · #12 03-23-2016, 02:03 PM

"Although the Alabama Panhellenic Association does not require a specific GPA to participate in recruitment, each sorority chapter does have a minimum grade requirement for pledging and initiation. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all prospective members participating in recruitment have at or above a 3.0 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time of recruitment."