informal recruitment

[Alumiyum]

It is pretty frustrating when PNM's just don't listen...I was on the Recruitment Team twice and we made it a point to drill into their heads from the beginning of the week that if they listed those sororites and signed a bid card on pref night they were stuck. And always, some would still act surprised when they got their second choice and wanted to COB their first. We also made sure to explain very clearly that nothing is guaranteed and thinking they're a shoe-in doesn't matter, and a sorority member can't promise a bid because not only is it against the rules, but she can't KNOW a PNM will make the list.

On the other hand with a Recruitment Leader that is telling a PNM she's "sure to get the first choice" who knows if they were given accurate information. PNM's should NEVER be told that.

My chapter took seniors occasionally, but they were always women that knew many members for a few years and were around the chapter frequently (they often were women who lived on our hall as independents or lived on the floor under us and were therefore around a lot). And they all had superb grades. The attitude was that unless the girl was so amazing we couldn't let her go, it wasn't worth the paper work to pledge a woman who would only be a collegian for two semesters.

To the OP, it's probably unlikely that you'll get a bid now, but once the calendar year is up, if you have the time and want to attempt to COB, go for it. Spend your time prior getting to know sorority women on campus, and be open minded. If it's really important to you to be Greek you'll have to remember beggars can't be choosers. If you've known a certain group for a long time now and can only see yourself there, but understanding if they do not extend you a bid. It's not common to give a senior a bid, since they will only be active for a year.

And just let this be a lesson learned. Always read the fine print and be proactive about asking questions. Trust what's written instead of what someone tells you-if there's any question later you can go back and justify your actions. You won't be able to get out of the one calendar year hold just because the RT member said what she did...it isn't fair, but it's life.

[33girl]

As with many things, the caliber of Greek life advisors/offices varies drastically from campus to campus. If the GLA hasn't made his/her face seen at any other time during rush, I doubt they would be my first choice to go to either.

[bbaby616]

thank you so much guys.. i will be a junior next year, and we recruit only in the spring.. what the girl actually told me was that i was going to get my first choice, but i should put my second one just for safety... what it turned out was that the computer tries to fill up each sorority with a certain quota regardless to the new memeber choice.. so for example i put x sorority first and y second, and say both put me 1st, since y sorority has less people i would be placed there.. which sucks...

also i have no idea who the adviser is...or who to ask on campus (we are a big school)

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by bbaby616

thank you so much guys.. i will be a junior next year, and we recruit only in the spring.. what the girl actually told me was that i was going to get my first choice, but i should put my second one just for safety... what it turned out was that the computer tries to fill up each sorority with a certain quota regardless to the new memeber choice.. so for example i put x sorority first and y second, and say both put me 1st, since y sorority has less people i would be placed there.. which sucks...

also i have no idea who the adviser is...or who to ask on campus (we are a big school)

Just as an FYI (and other girls with ICS experience please correct me if I'm wrong):

Actually the computer program does take PNM choice into account. It is set up to place as many girls in chapters as it can (though not always their top choices).

The issue comes when you are not high enough on first choice's bid list. If first choice fills to quota before you are reached on their list (meaning you are not high enough) the computer is going to move on to your 2nd choice.

So it's not that #2 has fewer people, you were likely higher on #2's list than you were on your #1's.

Regardless of that, you should not have been told you were going to get your first choice, because that is not a guarantee.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by bbaby616

also i have no idea who the adviser is...or who to ask on campus (we are a big school)

Go to your school's website and search under "greek advisor" or "greek life advisor." This is the person you should inform.

And KSUviolet is right...say each sorority could take 10 people, you were #20 in the order of people that your first choice liked and #3 in the order of people that your second choice liked. Unless 10 people who are ahead of you don't want your first choice, you're going to get your second choice.

[FSUZeta]

both ksuviolet and 33girl have it right. you were not high enough on your first choice's list to receive a bid from them.