Why you didn't make it into a sorority.

[JupiterTC]

Sometimes you just have to live and learn. I rushed my sophomore year, and did not receive any bids. Rush is pretty competitive at my school, and even though I told people I was a sophomore I was really classified as a junior due to the numerous credits I gained from being a music ed major. So I was cut pretty hard. I didn't know how to "play the game" as someone said earlier, and I didn't even know that someone could write a rec for you until I came across GC. If it were any other reason besides those (such as my personality or what not) then I certainly don't know of any, but then again I don't need to know at this point.

But hey, a new sorority is colonizing this fall, and I'm very excited about it. Getting cut from rush is hard, but I've evaluated the situation and decided to take advantage of this opportunity to become a founding member of a wonderful organization.

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by James

Take it as constructive criticism and move on.

Recruitment is a weeklong interview process. A sorority has a set number of spots to fill. Before you come into recruitment parties, they have taken a look at the recruitment applications and letters of recommendation. Think of that as your "resume." It gives them a chance to see who they might want "on paper."

Also consider that when you apply for a job, you're not always going to be invited to an interview. And if you are invited to an interview, you need to look your best, carry yourself well, be articulate and prepared with anecdotes about yourself and your experiences, as well as know something about the company you are interviewing with and be prepared for some questions about the "work" you would be doing and the environment surrounding that work.

So let's say your recruitment applications and recs are stellar. You're probably going to meet some key players-- the chapter president, recruitment chair, etc. If you can't hold your own in a conversation, you're not dressed appropriately, etc., there are still 100s of other girls to "interview" who will.

However, there are times, too, when you may be as prepared as anything, but you have a poor recruiter who doesn't ask you the right questions or does not have the ability to carry a conversation.

Or there is zero chemistry between you and your recruiter. Lack of rapport means you probably won't be invited back.

Similarly, you can't expect to enter a sorority house and just stand there like a mute. You need to be engaging and conversational.

Overall, aside from your wardrobe choices, recs and application, you need to research the sororities, pull together some anecdotes about yourself and do some personal assessment of why you want to belong to a women's organization.

Be prepared. You may still be cut, but at least you will have done your homework.

And as always, contact the office of Greek Life at your school with recruitment questions. Call them as often as you wish. And for Pete's Sake, although we all love our sororities and being sorority women, there are plenty of other things to do on campus if you don't join a sorority-- and you will still be able to make friends and enjoy college.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally posted by JupiterTC
Sometimes you just have to live and learn. I rushed my sophomore year, and did not receive any bids. Rush is pretty competitive at my school, and even though I told people I was a sophomore I was really classified as a junior due to the numerous credits I gained from being a music ed major. So I was cut pretty hard. I didn't know how to "play the game" as someone said earlier, and I didn't even know that someone could write a rec for you until I came across GC. If it were any other reason besides those (such as my personality or what not) then I certainly don't know of any, but then again I don't need to know at this point.

But hey, a new sorority is colonizing this fall, and I'm very excited about it. Getting cut from rush is hard, but I've evaluated the situation and decided to take advantage of this opportunity to become a founding member of a wonderful organization.

No offense, and not to sound like a b#$%^ but if you had the hours of a Junior, and you were telling people you were a sophomore, that's probably a reason why you got cut. Every school I know of atleast, when you sign and turn in your recruitment application/form they verifiy your GPA and your credit hours. So they know what your grades are and what your class status is before you even walk in the door the first day. Misleading a chapter(s) about your class status isnt a wise thing to do. Eventually you will be found out and the consequences there of will follow.

[kappaloo]

Originally posted by ThetaPrincess24
No offense, and not to sound like a b#$%^ but if you had the hours of a Junior, and you were telling people you were a sophomore, that's probably a reason why you got cut. Every school I know of atleast, when you sign and turn in your recruitment application/form they verifiy your GPA and your credit hours. So they know what your grades are and what your class status is before you even walk in the door the first day. Misleading a chapter(s) about your class status isnt a wise thing to do. Eventually you will be found out and the consequences there of will follow.

I think she meant that she was a sophomore in terms of her progression in her new program (it sounds like she switched programs) - and thus would be around for 3 years. I didn't read it as her attempting to mislead the chapters though the chapters could have seen it that way.

[JupiterTC]

I wasn't intentionally misleading the sororities, because it was my second year at school, and I wasn't planning to graduate any earlier then 4 years. I just so happened to pick an insane major that required 18+ credit hours a semester, thus the early classification. I'm sure they felt they were misled, and I even talked to my recruitment counselor about it, but at that point it was too late. But you're absoutely right, and that's what exactly happened.

[adpiucf]

With respect to that, be as honest and clear as possible when talking about grades, activities and class status.

"I'm a senior, credit-hours wise, but I wanted to emphasize that I transferred schools and changed my major, and picked up a double minor, so I have another 3 years of undergrad. And with three more years of college to go, and being in a new place, I'd love to be a part of a sorority to make friends and get involved with my new school."


Spin it into something positive. Find a way to work those things in a couple of times in the same conversation so it sticks in your recruiter's head. When you leave the house and someone asks about Randi Rushee, the recruiter will say, "Oh she's a senior credits-wise, but she just transferred and will be here three more years!"

[kddani]

I just want to remind PNMs that nobody here is the supreme all knowing rush goddess. There's a lot of useful information here, but again, it DEPENDS ON YOUR SCHOOL, and many other factors. Please do not take anyone's words on here as absolute fact. Consider it all, form your own opinions, and do what's best for you.

[ADqtPiMel]

I don't think anyone's claiming to be "the supreme all-knowing rush goddess," they're just offering their opinions. The women offering advice generally have a lot of experience with recruitment and just want to help PNMs. There is no need to belittle their advice.

That being said, PNMs should check out how things are run at their school, not just read GC.

[kddani]

It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. There's just a lot of GCers that can make many very authoritative posts, and there's a lot of PNMs out there that do take GC as the greek gospel.

ETA: where did I belittle anyone's advice? I said that much of the advice is good.

[ADqtPiMel]

Originally posted by kddani

ETA: where did I belittle anyone's advice? I said that much of the advice is good.

That wasn't aimed at you in particular. I'm switching between typing a report at work and typing on GC, so I may not make a lot of sense.

[adpiucf]

We have a stickied thread remininding PNMs to talk to their universities to get the specifics on their recuitment, too.

[seraphimsprite]

Originally posted by adpiucf
Spin it into something positive. Find a way to work those things in a couple of times in the same conversation so it sticks in your recruiter's head. When you leave the house and someone asks about Randi Rushee, the recruiter will say, "Oh she's a senior credits-wise, but she just transferred and will be here three more years!"

This just reminded me of a story from my rush. I heard from a friend that I was actually cut from her sorority because one of the sisters I talked with thought I was bragging about how smart I was. I said I was a sophomore credit-wise because of AP credits, but it was only my first year and I was still going to be there for four years because of my program.

It goes to show you - rush really varies campus by campus and chapter by chapter.

[Munchkin03]

Re: People who rush over and over and over again--don't they eventually get the hint?

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I know someone who went through formal rush twice and informal once or twice. (I forget.) She eventually got a bid in the fall of her junior year through informal. She became a good sister.

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
Re: People who rush over and over and over again--don't they eventually get the hint?

Good question. I think it depends on the person and the campus. I believe, personally, if it were me, I would have rushed once and that would be the end of it. But maybe then trying informal?

Example: My friend tried to become a founding sister of XYZ when they colonized at my school. She was not invited. Ironically, she rushed the following fall and got a bid from them, becoming a member of their first pledge class!

And for seraphimsprite, I think you could have said that very same thing to someone else and they wouldn't have taken it as bragging. It just goes to show how people "hear" things.