UF Rush - Page 2

ZTAngel · #16 05-18-2002, 06:44 PM

My sister will be rushing at UF this year. She's actually been trying to get recs together from the places she is a legacy at (ZTA, KD, AEPhi, DPhiE). She's been told how cutthroat rush is there. If you know anyone who is an alum for any of the sororities on campus, ask them if they would write a rec for you. And, here's some advice from some friends of mine that went through rush at UF: Don't have your heart set on two or three sororities there. UF rush is probably one of the most competitive in the state of Florida...maybe even in the South. Just go into rush with an open mind and have fun. Make sure you give each and everyone of the sororities a chance.
I'll try to post as much as I can from my sister's rush experience there this fall. She's not sure if she's going to end up pledging. My parents do not pay for our sororities and since my sis has never worked a day in her life she does not have money for it. But, we'll see.
Good luck! Be sure to keep us posted.

UF56 · #17 05-18-2002, 08:49 PM

I have been at UF for one year (this past school year). I has a TON of dual enrollment credits when I came into school but they all do not pertain to my major. I thought about rushing last year but wasnt really sure if it would be for me, but after seeing things the sororities do it looks like fun. I changed my major this year and have two and 1/2 years left but am classified as a junior in my college at UF.

PenguinTrax · #18 05-19-2002, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UF56
In all actuality I have enough credits to be classified as a senior. I have been at UF for one year (this past school year). I has a TON of dual enrollment credits when I came into school but they all do not pertain to my major. I thought about rushing last year but wasnt really sure if it would be for me, but after seeing things the sororities do it looks like fun. I changed my major this year and have two and 1/2 years left but am classified as a junior in my college at UF.

If this is the case then it would be very important for you to let the chapters know that even though you are classified as a junior, that you will be at UF for another 2.5 years. Be sure to write that on your Recruitment application, etc.

Regarding letters of introduction. I will state again that the NPC position is that it is the responsibility of the CHAPTER to secure letters of introduction for a woman being considered for membership. At competitive schools like UF it is helpful if you can get these letters secured before recruitment. Contact the local alumnae panhellenic and ask teachers at your high school if they are (or know) sorority alumnae. Ask your mother's friends, ask at church/synagogue. Just because you don't think you know any sorority alumnae, it doesn't mean that there aren't any in your immediate circle. However, it is NOT the resposibility of the PNM to secure letters of introductin.

kdonline · #19 05-19-2002, 01:04 PM

I was a KD @ UF back in the 80's. Rush is probably just as competitive now as it was then, maybe more.

It IS a good idea to try to get a rec before Rush begins, but just remember:
1) getting a rec does NOT guarantee you a place in a sorority.
2) if the chapter really wants you, they will get a rec on you.

As others have posted, check your local circles for sorority alumnae. I see that you're located in Gainesville - try contacting the Alumnae Panhellenic association there. Figure out if any of your high school teachers are alumnae (I was a high school teacher for 8 years & was always contacted by former students for recs).

But your best bet is emphasizing what is in YOUR CONTROL - what you write on your Rush Application, and what you discuss with the sisters who rush you. State on your app that you have at least 2 full years at UF. Mention this to who rushes you, but dont bang it in. Let them know where your talents are, and what you have been involved in previously too -- community service, extra-curricular, etc.

Good luck!

UFgatorgirl02 · #20 05-19-2002, 01:44 PM

Hey UF56, I know what you mean about all those Dual Enrollment credits! I already have almost all my General Education requirements done. I don't think it will matter at recruitment though because I still need four years to graduation probably. I am taking the minimum of 12 hours in Fall.

Anyways, here is another thing I learned. Supposedly even if you do not have a recommendation for a sorority it is a good idea to just send them your resume and picture before recruitment because then they at least know some more about your extracurriculars and know your face before you even walk through the door. This is just something I heard so I was wondering if any alumnae, especially UF grads, would let us know if this is really practiced at UF or if it is something that is completely superfluous.

Also, have you filled out the recruitment form for UF? I would fill out pretty soon so you just get it done. I know for me, time creeps up and I can forget crucial things like that. You also need to send in a fee of $55, so you might want to start saving for that too. You can do the form online at www.ufpanhellenic.com

kdonline · #21 05-19-2002, 02:12 PM

UFgatorgirl02, you should attach a resume & pic along w/ your Rush Application. If you just send it "blindly", the chapter might just discard it - they don't know if you've registered for Rush or not.

Also, when you ask an alumna to write a rec, make sure to provide a resume & quality pic. Don't just use any old digitized picture - the resolution should be AT LEAST 150. And don't count on the alumna (or chapter) to print out the picture themselves.

School mugshots are best, or any kind of head/shoulder shot.

Just as with applying for a job, you want to provide quality info & picture.

Good luck,
Annie
UF alumna - Class of 1989
Kappa Delta Sorority

UFgatorgirl02 · #22 05-19-2002, 02:24 PM

kdonline,
Thanks so much for the information. But, now I am a little confused because I was told that if you sent your picture and resume in with your Panhellenic Recruitment Application that they would just discard it. The application did ask for your extracurricular actvities and GPA, so all the chapters will know that at least. However, I suppose the only way for the chapters to know who you are before recruitment (as far as placing a name with a face), would be to send in a picture attached to a recommendation for each specific chapter. Also, for my recommendations I gave the alumna a color copy of my senior picture. It was not as clear as the original, but I think it will work, hopefully.

UF56 · #23 05-19-2002, 02:48 PM

Gator Girl you are right. We are not supposed to send in pictures with the application because everyone is supposed to apply online to make it easier for Panhellenic. I am excited because I did just get a rec for DG from a girl who was apart of the UF chapter, and I know you guys say not to like any sorority more than another and go in with an open mind but I have met a couple of DG's here and there and they are really cool. Now I am trying to find a Chi O, Tri-Delta, Zeta, and KD recs. Also is it good to get more than one rec?

UFgatorgirl02 · #24 05-19-2002, 03:02 PM

UF56,
Thanks for clearing all that up for me. I thought the whole sending in your resume and a pic w/o a rec was a little overzealous too. I have heard conflicting information about sending in more than one rec. Some people say don't bother, others say it only can help to see your name recommended more than once. I personally believe in the latter advice. Why not send in more than one if you know that many sorority alumna? However, I don't think anyone should go crazy and send in 10 recs. Probably, the limit should be set a 3.

SigKapSweetie · #25 05-19-2002, 05:48 PM

Quick point of info: can active members give recs? I can't remember.

PhiMuLady150 · #26 05-19-2002, 06:34 PM

if anyone needs a rec for Phi Mu. I am alumna for them now...e-mail me at adriennemichellep@yahoo.com or PM me

ZTAngel · #27 05-19-2002, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SigKapSweetie
Quick point of info: can active members give recs? I can't remember.

I know that in Zeta collegiates are allowed to give recs. Whether or not it's weighed as heavily is up to the chapter advisors. But, if you can, try to get a rec from an alum rather than a collegiate just in case.

AOIIBrandi · #28 05-19-2002, 08:49 PM

AOII does not allow collegiates to send official recs. However, that doesn't mean that their thoughts may not be considered.

UF56 · #29 05-19-2002, 08:54 PM

Well if anyone knows anyone who would be willing to give me a rec for DG, KD, ZTA, Tri-Delta, or Chi O, I would REALLY REALLY appreciate it!!!

UFKappa · #30 05-20-2002, 02:27 PM

Hi Girls!
I am a member of the Recruitment Executive Board for 2002 UF Fall Recruitment and will be a PiChi(Panhellenic Counselor) in the fall. Let me see if I can clear a few things up..

1. Do NOT send in a pic or resume with your application. It will be a waste of time. Those applications go to the Panhellenic office only. No one else will see them and they will only be thrown away.

2. As for recs, it is the PM's(Potential Member's) job to send recs to houses. The houses will not do it for you. You may send as many as you feel comfortable. The chapters do not know who else you sent recs to, so if you send them 2 or 3, they may think that you have a special interest in them, when in fact you may have sent that many to several houses. A picture, list of activities, and nice letter of recommendation is adequate. The sisters in the house will memorize your info and recognize you when you come through. They have a list of names for girls coming through each round and will know exactly what party to look for you. It is a good idea to contact the Panhellenic organization in your hometown. If you send them a resume, they will usually send recs to every chapter on your campus. You girls seem to be pretty far ahead of the game already.

3. An undergraduate sister in a chapter does not typically write a recommendation unless she is a member at another school. If you are close to an active sister you may give her a picture and she will present it to the house and verbally list your activities and why she wants you to be a sister. A small warning, this works on the flip side also. If a girl has does not get along with you, she may stand up and state why she does NOT want you as a sister, so my advice is to be on your best behavior around anyone that you know is an active sister.

4. About Bid Cards, do not worry about that now. It is the last of worries and your PiChi's will explain all of it to you on the last night of recruitment.

5. For those of you that are juniors and going through recruitment, make sure you tell the sister if you have more than two years left. It makes a huge difference. Some houses do not take juniors or only take a predetermined number, but if they know that you have as many years as a sophomore left, they will take that into huge consideration and probably not consider you a full junior.

Let me know if there's anything else that I can clear up!