Schools where you absolutely positively need recs

[GatorDG]

Recs are useful, but not a must for most schools in California EXCEPT USC.

[KSUViolet06]

Isn't UCF a school where recs are becoming increasingly more necessary?

[Jill1228]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

Arent most of the schools in California competitive?

I would think that UC Berkeley, UCLA and USC would require recs (or HIGHLY recommend recs)
Correct me if I am wrong on that

[bear_down]

The University of Arizona

[GTAlphaPhi]

Does anyone have any input on Canadian schools? I know Greek life isn't nearly as big as it is in the U.S. (in general; I can't speak for particular schools), but it'd be interesting to know.

[Pingyang]

Originally Posted by Jill1228

I would think that UC Berkeley, UCLA and USC would require recs (or HIGHLY recommend recs)
Correct me if I am wrong on that

I went through formal recruitment at UC Berkeley as a senior (planning to stay a full 5th year) in 2004 without any recs and didn't get cut from all houses until after 3 rounds; the younger women I knew without recs didn't have a problem, and all were ultimately happy with their houses. Unless things are much different at Cal now, I would think that recs would be incredibly helpful, but not strictly necessary. Maybe the people I knew were just lucky.

[LucyKKG]

Again about CA schools, it depends on the schools. With the CSUs, it probably varies. With UCs, it also varies. I know hardly anyone has recs at UC Santa Cruz and it's probably the same for UC Merced.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by GTAlphaPhi

Does anyone have any input on Canadian schools? I know Greek life isn't nearly as big as it is in the U.S. (in general; I can't speak for particular schools), but it'd be interesting to know.

I can't speak for the bigger campuses, but on my campus (University of Manitoba), you absolutely do not need them. Most people here don't even know that we have a Greek system. Once I joined Alpha Gam, I found out that a dancer that had taught a workshop for me once was an Alpha Gam about 15 years ago, but that's the only Greek connection I've figured out, for myself at least. I think it would next to impossible to get recs at my campus, for anyone who isn't a legacy.

I'm going to take a guess and say that recs would be helpful at UBC and U of T, as they are fairly large Greek systems (at least for Canada). However, I would defer to Greeks actually from those particular schools, that's just an educated guess.

[prettyv]

...

[ColdInCanada11]

Good to know, pretty, thanks! I know a couple girls going to UBC next year, and they were wondering.

[APhi4Ever]

Texas A&M University, University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and Baylor University for sure.

[GammaPhi88]

Would Wake Forest require recs? My friend who is a Chi Omega constantly is asked to write recs there, but I don't know if they are necessary.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Isn't UCF a school where recs are becoming increasingly more necessary?

I was recently asked to write a rec for a girl going to UCF so I'm going to lean towards yes...

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by GammaPhi88

Would Wake Forest require recs? My friend who is a Chi Omega constantly is asked to write recs there, but I don't know if they are necessary.

I would say if she is constantly being asked then a) they are needed at Wake Forest, b) Chi Omega requires them or c) both

[WVU alpha phi]

What about UNC Chapel Hill? I don't think that was mentioned yet but isn't their recruitment pretty competitive?