Good morning, and welcome to the Trojan Family!
It is possible to be as involved as you are able to manage with other campus activities, as long as you managed to keep your priorities in check, especially your academics.
I know sorority women in various spirit groups including the Song Girls, and Trojan Dance Force. As well as the TMB, the Repetory Dance company, Trojan Vision, and some even manage to handle the added responsibilities of being a Trojan varsity athlete!
Have a look at the Recruitment Guide that you should have received with your welcome materials. If not check it out on the greek life website when it finally gets posted. The website really should be better than it is, for a greek system such as we have at SC.
http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/g...cruitment.html
Once you get an idea, I would say be a little classier/dressier than the guide recommends. You don't have to be covered in labels, just make sure you look put together, and that you made an effort it putting your best foot forward. And dress to flatter your body type, and to impress girls. Remember you are NOT dressing for boys.
YES! Studying abroad is a big part of the USC experience, there many opportunities to study all over the world. Many sorority woman were abroad in Europe, Asia and Australia this past spring.
Academics are taken very seriously at USC. The All-Panhellenic average has been consistently above the All-women's GPA. Keeping up with your grades is important to be allowed to attend many Greek activities, especially social events. Gamma Sigma Alpha, an academic honor society for outstanding academic achievement for Greeks only was founded at USC. You have to attain a 3.5 GPA to be eligible, and many leaders in the Greek community are members.
Hazing is illegal, and frankly counterproductive. Of course there are some activities, which could be strictly considered hazing, like new member meetings, and new member mixers. But the point of these are to allow you to bond with your new member class, so its actually fun. Don't worry about it.
Under any circumstance STAY AWAY from the row (and the 9-0) until after recruitment and bid day. It can be very tempting to go to a pre-rush party, but it is grounds for removal from recruitment. You have the rest of your time at SC to enjoy the row. Plus you should be concentrating on managing school with recruitment as it all starts in the same week. It will be good practice for the next 4 years at SC.
Make sure you get your Recs in. While it is not unheard of for a PNM to get preffed at what are considered the 'top tier' chapters without any Recs before recruitment starts, do you want to really take the chance? Almost all the PNMs going through SC's recruitment will be outstanding students for grades, activities, and experiences.
Like any competitive environment such as applying for College, a Job opening, or an Athletic team, hoping to succeed on the bare minimum requirements is practically wishful thinking. Exceptions have happened, but you should not expect them to be you.
And most of all have fun! If it does not work out this year. It is not the end of the world. There is such a diverse student body at SC nowadays, that you can find a group that will be great for you and your next 4 years. And if you really are intent on going Greek, being a sophomore will not hinder you as much as some other schools with large, ultra competitive recruitments.
And non-Recruitment related tip, apply for your Student Football season ticket ASAP. Remember Bowls are for Salads.
Fight On!
Beat the Gophers!
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