Bama Sorority Recruitment 2010

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by missblonde

. And I would love to know some CONS!

I think you can meet some CONS in prison.

Originally Posted by missblonde

I spoke with a friend today and asked if she would ever think about rushing and she said no, because she didnt want someone bossing her around and telling her where to be and at what time.

Nobody tells me what to do, I'm sorry that your friend thinks she would allow herself to be manipulated

Originally Posted by missblonde

And also she didn't want people telling her what to wear.

Maybe she has bad taste in clothes

[missblonde]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Good Lord, I hope she never gets a job in the real world or she is in trouble with these types of issues.

With regard to a sorority, I prefer not to answer because I think you are not legit...

You think I'm not legit? What is that supposed to mean? Here's a little info about me:
I'm going to be at Bama next year. I hear that sororities are a big deal at most SEC schools. I don't know many sorority girls and I don't have any family that went Greek, so I do not know that much about what it is like. From what I can tell it is alot of dressing up and going to formals, parties, etc. I also know sororities do community service. I have a few friends that are rushing right now and that's kinda what got me interested in the whole Sorority thing. I'm just not sure what the pro's and con's are. In other words, what are the good and bad things? I know people that are in a sorority do not want to say bad things about their sorority, but I honestly just want to know. I'm not particularly asking what is bad about your sorority, but more like what is the less attractive side of sorority life. If I'm going to be paying money to be in a sorority (if I were to get a bid), I don't want to regret it. That's why I'm asking. No disrespect, I just don't know much about what a sorority is like. I'd really appreciate your help/input.

[TideMom]

To answer your question missblonde, one "bad" side of sorority life might be that they can be superficial. For example, my daughter is rushing at Bama now and got cut from one house because of my occupation. I have heard of this before. I am an artist, and that is not what they are looking for.

Every sorority experience is different. You will like some girls in the house, and there will be some that you are not as close to. It's a life long decision decided upon by mutual agreement over about 2 hours worth of meeting and putting your best face forward called rush. Not the most ideal way to choose friends.

But very exciting and it can help make your way a bit easier in the big university.

Sorority life is a lifestyle and it is not for everyone. I wish you luck as you move forward!

[TideMom]

I also have a question for the Mom's on this forum - anyone know anything about dues? There has been a little talk in my daughter's Rho Chi group about fees and the Rho Chi cannot give any specific information, just averages. There was talk that one sorority was $3500 per semester; again, the Rho Chi could not say which one.

Is this kind of like, "if you have to ask about money, you can't afford to be there"?

When I went through rush in the mid 80's at another school, Panhellenic put out a sheet with all the sorority costs listed. It was extremely helpful in planning.

Anyone willing to share?

[Drolefille]

How would you know that your daughter is cut due to your occupation?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by TideMom

I also have a question for the Mom's on this forum - anyone know anything about dues? There has been a little talk in my daughter's Rho Chi group about fees and the Rho Chi cannot give any specific information, just averages. There was talk that one sorority was $3500 per semester; again, the Rho Chi could not say which one.

Is this kind of like, "if you have to ask about money, you can't afford to be there"?

When I went through rush in the mid 80's at another school, Panhellenic put out a sheet with all the sorority costs listed. It was extremely helpful in planning.

Anyone willing to share?

I obviously don't know, but my best advice would be that if she is given an average or ballpark number, assume that it will be on the higher end of that ballpark just to be safe.

[Beaumom]

Concerning fees this is info available from the Greek Life page at UA:

Financial Responsibility

Greek-letter organizations have been self-sufficient since their inception. Fraternities and sororities pay their own way, through dues, membership fees, and, often, one-time pledge/associate and initiation fees. IFC and Panhellenic chapters with houses charge room and board depending on whether members live in the house or not. In general, the cost of living independently or in a fraternity or sorority house are comparable, and often can be less expensive. The cost of membership in a Greek organization varies from group to group. The average cost per semester for a sorority member who lives in the sorority house is approximately $3,400.00 and $2,100.00 for a member who lives out of the sorority house. The approximate average cost of a fraternity member who lives in a fraternity house is $3,300.00 per semester and $2,300.00 for a member who does not live in the house. In addition to these costs, new members can expect to pay one-time fees during the first semester in the organization. These fees may include a pledge/new member fee, and an initiation fee. The average cost of these fees for a sorority member is approximately $250.00 and $175.00 for a fraternity member. Fees may vary from year to year, and the figures provided above are only rough estimates of what organizations may charge. The cost of membership in an NPHC fraternity or sorority is significantly less that those of the IFC and Panhellenic organizations. If your student is interested in joining an NPHC organization, he or she should attend an interest meeting at the individual chapters for information about financial obligations.
Many chapters have sinking funds of varying amounts that are used to pay for T-shirts, party favors, and party pictures. Although members are not required to purchase any of these, most member choose to do so.
Please note that when your son or daughter becomes a new member of a fraternity or sorority, he or she is affiliating with that organization, and should he or she decide to disaffiliate with that organization, he or she may be held responsible for some fees that can not be removed from his or her bills.
Many of the chapters at the University of Alabama use Greek Resource Services as managers for their billing and accounting needs. If you receive a bill from Greek Resource Services and need to contact them you can do so by calling 205-758-7754 or visiting their website at www.greekresourceservices.com.


Also consider that the estimates above include food service or "board". At Alabama after you pledge you eat at the houses (thus you pay the house). Some time after the dust has settled after Bid Day the sororitys contact Bama dining and a reimbursement check will be cut. All freshman are required the Greek 40 or 50. And of course you would not be reimbursed for meals already consumed.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by TideMom

To answer your question missblonde, one "bad" side of sorority life might be that they can be superficial. For example, my daughter is rushing at Bama now and got cut from one house because of my occupation. I have heard of this before. I am an artist, and that is not what they are looking for.

This is BS. You have no idea why your daughter was released, and either does she. But I'm pretty darn sure it wasn't because you're an artist. The truth is that most women are released from one house or another because they just weren't remarkable - meaning they didn't stand out enough to the members of that house. You weren't in the room with your daughter and the other PNMs, so you have no idea what her competition was.

ETA: ...because these kind of excuses bug the crap out of me. Listen, the women who do the best at recruitment are the ones that not only look great on paper, but have an amazing capability to have a conversation with anyone about anything. They are master conversationalists. They listen to the person they're engaged with, respond enthusiastically to things they say, and in turn ask questions. They have charisma and an energy about them that instinctively turns others on. That type of thing, combined with the good conversation and great resume, leads to a very favorable impression, which needless to say is better than someone who you recall was just perfectly nice and lovely.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by missblonde

You think I'm not legit? What is that supposed to mean? Here's a little info about me:
I'm going to be at Bama next year. I hear that sororities are a big deal at most SEC schools. I don't know many sorority girls and I don't have any family that went Greek, so I do not know that much about what it is like. From what I can tell it is alot of dressing up and going to formals, parties, etc. I also know sororities do community service. I have a few friends that are rushing right now and that's kinda what got me interested in the whole Sorority thing. I'm just not sure what the pro's and con's are. In other words, what are the good and bad things? I know people that are in a sorority do not want to say bad things about their sorority, but I honestly just want to know. I'm not particularly asking what is bad about your sorority, but more like what is the less attractive side of sorority life. If I'm going to be paying money to be in a sorority (if I were to get a bid), I don't want to regret it. That's why I'm asking. No disrespect, I just don't know much about what a sorority is like. I'd really appreciate your help/input.

Okay, no disrespect intended on your part. I accept that. I did not realize how young you were. As a high school student, you need to heed this advice:

Do not ask any more questions. Read, read, read all of the threads on this site. Consider it a time of research and learning. You admit that you know very little about sororities, so it is going to be very easy for you to ask something offensive if you just start throwing out blanket stereotypical statements about sororities. Try to soak up as much on here as you can. Then, later in the year, as you prepare for recruitment (spring 2011), ask any questions you still have.

We want the best for any young woman who would like to join a sorority and this includes you. We take our roles of teaching/sharing about Greek Life very seriously.

Best of luck to you.

[AZTheta]

@missblonde:

Check the attitude at the door. We are not meanies. gee-ess just gave you a great response. I hope you'll stick around and a year from now we'll be reading about YOU and your Bama recruitment.

Personally - one of the top five great decisions I ever made was to become a member of a GLO. I would never, ever, trade that experience for anything, even a multimilliondollar lottery ticket. Seriously.

[bamamom14]

TideMom - the financial breakdown is also in the Greek Chic recruitment manual the PNMs received.

[TideMom]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

This is BS. You have no idea why your daughter was released, and either does she. But I'm pretty darn sure it wasn't because you're an artist.

Busted! I realized after I submitted the statement that I really didn't know why my daughter was cut from that house. I was basing that comment on something a friend (who was rush chairman at a Bama sorority years ago) said about cutting a girl just because her mother was a hair dresser. If my occupation is the reason, then so be it. Glad God is in control and not me!

After 2nd round parties, my daughter seems much more at ease. And I am much more at ease today also. Hallelujah!

And thanks for the location of and corrected information about sorority costs. I should know by now, hearsay from 18 year olds is just that - hearsay.

Good luck to all as choices are made today!

[missblonde]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Okay, no disrespect intended on your part. I accept that. I did not realize how young you were. As a high school student, you need to heed this advice:

Do not ask any more questions. Read, read, read all of the threads on this site. Consider it a time of research and learning. You admit that you know very little about sororities, so it is going to be very easy for you to ask something offensive if you just start throwing out blanket stereotypical statements about sororities. Try to soak up as much on here as you can. Then, later in the year, as you prepare for recruitment (spring 2011), ask any questions you still have.

We want the best for any young woman who would like to join a sorority and this includes you. We take our roles of teaching/sharing about Greek Life very seriously.

Best of luck to you.

Okay, thank you for your input. I will definitely do my research on this website. Sometimes I just find it easier to ask questions. But, I see what you're saying, and I really don't want to offend anyone. Thank you!

[missblonde]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

@missblonde:

Check the attitude at the door. We are not meanies. gee-ess just gave you a great response. I hope you'll stick around and a year from now we'll be reading about YOU and your Bama recruitment.

Personally - one of the top five great decisions I ever made was to become a member of a GLO. I would never, ever, trade that experience for anything, even a multimilliondollar lottery ticket. Seriously.

I'm sorry if it came off that I had an attitude. I wasn't trying to. And yeah, I hear ALOT of great things about sororities, and I would definitely love to be a part of a GLO. I just have alot to learn as far as what's involved and all. But thank you for your input.

[FSUZeta]

in addition missblonde, you only have to wait a month or two and you can ask your friends who are rushing right now. they will be a wealth of information by the time you are ready to rush next fall.