Rushing as a SENIOR in the Fall, informal recruitment. Advice?

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

No, not that controlling. I just felt the need to spend as much time as I could with him before he was gone for 7 months. I would not do this again, military changes things.

How were the older girls you knew 180 degrees from my way of thinking? I also think that because I will be grad student or starting a new major would be beneficial by having an alum still there to any organization.

Right. So those seven months explain why you didn't decide to rush until your senior year.

You'll be a second semester senior when you're rushing again. The sororities already let you know what their verdict was on first semester seniors when you rushed last semester. No one is going to be looking at you and thinking "Yay! She'll be an active alumna soon! Let's give her a bid!"

Maybe you should find a club you can join until you eventually graduate.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

There is abundant information available regarding the (cognitive) developmental differences between a 17-18 year old freshman and a 21-22 year old senior. Light years of difference in terms of interests, maturity, perspective. Huge differences. That's one thing for you to consider.

That's not what I was talking about at all. I was talking about juniors and seniors I knew who joined as opposed to the OP, not as opposed to freshmen.

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

How were the older girls you knew 180 degrees from my way of thinking?

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

I am looking for a lot of girls to befriend. I want to help more girls after they have had a hard day, help them realize how special they are, and as an upperclassmen possibly help them with anything I might be able to, whether it be academics or emotional, as well as participate in community service together.

You sound more like a mom than a sister. The older (junior and senior) girls I knew who pledged were completely devoid of mom-like qualities - in other words, they were on the same level as the rest of the girls in the chapter.

Yes, it is fulfilling to feel like you're helping someone that way, but you can't come in as a pledge and start to do it. If that's what you're looking for, then again, I recommend that you try to grow the organization you already belong to.

Originally Posted by Barbie's_Rush

Maybe you should find a club you can join until you eventually graduate.

She's already a member of a non-collegiate sorority.

[SassyBlonde]

Well since I do have a strong desire to atleast give it my best shot at rush, what would you suggest?

"Right. So those seven months explain why you didn't decide to rush until your senior year. " In response to that yes, it does explain it because I went a community college my first 2 years which did not offer greek life.

[SassyBlonde]

The Rho Deltas very strongly encouraged me to come back in the fall and rush.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

The Rho Deltas very strongly encouraged me to come back in the fall and rush.

Of course they did. They want to see the smaller chapter grow and figure you'll end up there.

If you want to rush again, fine, it's up to you, but be prepared to have the same or worse result as the last time you rushed, UNLESS you have become close friends with some sorority members who will pull for you.

[AZTheta]

33girl, I think you and I are looking at different sides of the same coin;I see your point(s) and agree with it/them. And I also think that combining viewpoints gives more information and fleshes out the conversation.

OP: go in with an open mind and accept the outcome, whatever it is. You cannot change your age/class standing/maturity level. So prepare yourself accordingly.

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by 33girl

She's already a member of a non-collegiate sorority.

I realize that but it's obviously not fulfilling her.

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

Well since I do have a strong desire to atleast give it my best shot at rush, what would you suggest?

"Right. So those seven months explain why you didn't decide to rush until your senior year. " In response to that yes, it does explain it because I went a community college my first 2 years which did not offer greek life.

As usual, a PNM adds more information as her motives are questioned. Funny you never thought to mention it before but latched right on to that boyfriend thing. Now I'm just waiting for the tale of your entire family being wiped out in a fiery accident and how your recovery from bubonic plague delayed your sorority dreams.

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

The Rho Deltas very strongly encouraged me to come back in the fall and rush.

Everyone loves you and is encouraging you to re-rush. WTF did you need GreekChat for?

[KSUViolet06]

What is with all of the "I'm a senior but I REALLY have always wanted to join a sorority!!!" posts lately?

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

What is with all of the "I'm a senior but I REALLY have always wanted to join a sorority!!!" posts lately?

I know. It's getting pretty ridiculous, especially since every one of them has to start a thread to espouse their unique snowflake virtues and totally unique situation.

[groovypq]

Call me crazy, but the chapter I advise wouldn't even be allowed to take a senior, regardless of semester.

[SassyBlonde]

Barbie's Rush,

What's with the negative attitude? I am looking for a realistic honest response. I do not expect to be welcomed being a senior--obviously, that's why I am sincerely requesting advice! I feel like you see it as a big joke or pity me so I get a bid with your comment "Now I'm just waiting for the tale of your entire family being wiped out in a fiery accident and how your recovery from bubonic plague delayed your sorority dreams." There was no fiery accident obviously, but if you want to more of my personal problems that delayed feel free to ask. I just ask that you take it seriously and realize that I am seeking advice, not ridicule. I realize you could be a lot more harsh if you want to be, but I feel as if something has came across the wrong way.

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by SassyBlonde

Barbie's Rush,

What's with the negative attitude? I am looking for a realistic honest response. I do not expect to be welcomed being a senior--obviously, that's why I am sincerely requesting advice! I feel like you see it as a big joke or pity me so I get a bid with your comment "Now I'm just waiting for the tale of your entire family being wiped out in a fiery accident and how your recovery from bubonic plague delayed your sorority dreams." There was no fiery accident obviously, but if you want to more of my personal problems that delayed feel free to ask. I just ask that you take it seriously and realize that I am seeking advice, not ridicule. I realize you could be a lot more harsh if you want to be, but I feel as if something has came across the wrong way.

It's not negative. It's realistic. I don't blow rainbows up every pony's ass. There's another site for that.

Everyone has given you the answer you were supposedly seeking. Yet you keep coming back with more "but...even if...but this happened previously...everyone says I should..." tales of woe that you think make you a special snowflake who we will immediately recognize as being the exception to the rule. We see people like you come here all the time, changing, editing and adding. Your answer is going to be the same. It gets tiresome.

I'm going to lay it out for you:

1) You are a senior with a limited "shelf life."

2) You already went through formal recruitment as a senior. EVERY sorority quickly dropped you except "Struggling Sigma." We don't know how that would have turned out since you weren't willing to give them the same chance they may have been willing to take on you.

3) Now "Struggling Sigma" doesn't look so bad. Because you'll take a bid from anyone now.

4) Nothing has changed for you since your last recruitment except for the fact that you're (hopefully) one semester closer to graduating.

5) Your chances are slimmer than they were during formal as even fewer new members are taken during informal/COB.

6) Sometimes members IRL say kind things "OMG you should totally rush again!," "It was only because we want freshmen during spring!" etc. only because they're trying not to hurt you or don't know what else to say. (Or think "Struggling Sigma" might actually offer you bid but their sorority certainly won't.)

7) Honestly, a lot of the reasons for wanting to join that you mentioned here sound a little creepy. I'm hoping it's just the way you're coming off online, but if you were coming off as all momsie in person you might seem like you don't fit in.

By all means, do go through whatever type of recruitment that's offered in the fall. You definitely won't get a bid anywhere if you don't try it again. (And don't be surprised if "Struggling Sigma" remembers you, and not for the right reasons. You should know that you may have burned that bridge.) But you also need to be honest with yourself. If being rejected again is going to kill your soul, you're probably better off looking into another club or revitalizing your non-collegiate sorority.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by groovypq

Call me crazy, but the chapter I advise wouldn't even be allowed to take a senior, regardless of semester.

Seriously?

Pardon me being judgmental, but that's fucked up.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Seriously?

Pardon me being judgmental, but that's fucked up.

Not if you have a house to keep full. A senior is most likely never going to live in.

[groovypq]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Seriously?

Pardon me being judgmental, but that's fucked up.

Yes. I don't have a problem with it, but I'm pretty sure (unless I misunderstood something) that someone higher up the chain has told them not to do that.

Now, I could be off - it could be because of numbers in a particular class. Our upcoming senior class, for example, is huge. We're going to take a big hit when they graduate, unless next spring's recruitment numbers are pretty major.