Informal Recruitment Advice Needed for a Girl Trying Again

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by secondtimerush

I graduate in Fall 2019 but I plan on staying for my credential which would add another year.

And yes thank you for the honesty! If I do go through again I want to have realistic expectations.

I am not sure what a credential is, but only undergraduate women are allowed to be members of most NPC organizations. Once you graduate in a few months, that would move you to alumna status, no longer an active chapter member. The extra time on campus might not really matter to a collegiate chapter.

[navane]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Though, understand that, if you attend where I think you attend, the minimum GPA is advertised as: "​​All chapters have GPA requirements, ranging anywhere from a minimum of 2.5-3.0. Any woman of any GPA is welcome to partake in recruitment, but if you do not meet the individual chapter's GPA requirement, you will likely not be eligible to join." Your previous GPA of 2.39 was an automatic disqualification. Your current GPA of 2.58 is still a major stumbling block.

Side note: if there is an understandable reason for why your GPA is so low (eg. death in the family, major hospitalization), then consider going to your campus' academic advising office to ask about any opportunities for grade forgiveness or a retroactive withdrawal for the effected classes or semester. It may be too late to help you for sorority recruitment but would clean up your transcript for the rest of your future.

Also, many sorority recruitment websites include a "what to wear" section. While I want people to be true to themselves, it's somewhat important for potential new members (PNMs) to pay attention to those social cues. In other words, if you wore ratty shoes and an unflattering tank top, while the other girls were dressed in sharp/smart casual, it probably didn't help you at all. If you went into the process with a half-effort, then you shouldn't be surprised at the results.

Finally, if you attend informal recruitment:

-- Put this "top three sororities" business out of your mind. Your GPA is low - you cannot afford to be picking and choosing!

-- Understand that not all sororities have to participate. So, your options may be limited and your "top three sororities" may not even be participating.

-- Attend ALL of the events you are able to attend and/or are invited to attend.

-- If two sororities are offering events at the exact same time, then you get to pick which one you want to attend.

Good luck!

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by thetalady

I am not sure what a credential is, but only undergraduate women are allowed to be members of most NPC organizations. Once you graduate in a few months, that would move you to alumna status, no longer an active chapter member. The extra time on campus might not really matter to a collegiate chapter.

Some groups allow grad students to stay in the chapter. Mine does with the appropriate paperwork.

[*winter*]

I have no advice/words of wisdom, since I was in a Non-NPC sorority.

However- let this be a life lesson, especially since you're so close to graduating. When you want something, you have to put in 110% effort, especially in this world. You can't just show up half-assed and expect that to be okay. Even small interactions with potential employers- everything counts- be at your best with hair and clothing that's appropriate. And continue to work on those grades!

Good luck!

[NYCMS]

Originally Posted by *winter*

However- let this be a life lesson, especially since you're so close to graduating. When you want something, you have to put in 110% effort, especially in this world. You can't just show up half-assed and expect that to be okay. Even small interactions with potential employers- everything counts- be at your best with hair and clothing that's appropriate. And continue to work on those grades!

This ^^^

I'm sure everyone on this board has seen job applicants show up with ratty fingernails, a skirt too short, makeup a tad heavy, and barely informed on the company to which they're applying. winter's advice is so important for work and beyond.

As for rushing again, I agree that the odds are stacked against you, if for nothing else than your grades; if I were a member, I'd wonder how well you could participate if your grades are low and you'd need more time to get coursework done. I wish you luck should you give it another try.