Does it make sense to consider the national org. as a whole when rushing?

[Shark_in_Skirt]

As a PNM, I am DEFINITELY looking at the strength of the sororities I'm rushing in both the national as well as local levels.

It's been my understanding that sororities bear the same letters for a reason, although they're on different campuses... there's got to be some kind of core that really binds them together. That's why I'm always slightly confused when I ask someone how XYZ or ABC is on their campus, they won't give me a response besides, "Well, chapters are always different."

Perhaps I've got this all wrong? So the fact that there are say, a 100 other Sigma Kappas or whatever, besides the one on my campus, there's really nothing they have in common? That's the impression I'm getting.

I really understand that sororities are individual, but I hope to join a sorority that really is an essential part of the whole picture, also. In other words, a sorority that doesn't deviate from the Greek ideals or their national roots.

XOXO,
Annie.

[aggieAXO]

This did play a small role in my decision in general when cutting during rush. There were a couple of chapters on my campus that are not as prevelant in Texas and I knew this by the panhellenic book I received before rush listing the chapters at each university in Texas. They also were not as strong on my campus. I knew I would stay here in Texas and of course wanted to get involved as an alum-that would be difficult if there were say only 3-4 chapters of a certain organization present in the state. I am lucky b/c AXO has 12 chapters in Texas and 1 rt. here in Austin .

[KDHoney]

Originally posted by Shark_in_Skirt
It's been my understanding that sororities bear the same letters for a reason, although they're on different campuses... there's got to be some kind of core that really binds them together. That's why I'm always slightly confused when I ask someone how XYZ or ABC is on their campus, they won't give me a response besides, "Well, chapters are always different."

Perhaps I've got this all wrong? So the fact that there are say, a 100 other Sigma Kappas or whatever, besides the one on my campus, there's really nothing they have in common? That's the impression I'm getting.

You're not wrong! In fact, you couldn't be more right. There are things that bind all KDs together, etc. Chapters are always different just in the fact that different people make them up and usually people tell you that "All chapters are different" because they don't know what your experience has been with that chapter. I've been fortunate to talk to KDs from all over and even as different as we can be there are things that are remarkable similar about all of us. So, again, you're not wrong and I think looking at the national organization as a whole is the right thing to do.

[justamom]

When I rushed, it never entered my mind...NOTHING entered my mind for that matter. I was probably one of the most uninformed PNMs in history. I only looked at the chapters as they were represented on my campus. If one could foresee where life would lead them, then it might be a factor to consider. For instance, some girls NEVER leave their region due to family business, property or heritage which makes it very likely they will live and die in a particular part of the country. Under those circumstances, they probably are a legacy or "ingrained" with a sorority or two in mind that have a lot of alums in the area. I was from a mobile type family, so it wasn't a factor for me. I do recall a poster of sorts that showed the chapters across the country and it was pretty impressive to see. I didn't join AXO because of some map though. I joined because I felt it was the best place for me.

[KillarneyRose]

It never occured to me to consider the national organization.

Rush was a lot different when I went through. We didn't have the Internet, so it wasn't nearly as easy to research various sororities. I was pretty clueless going in; I had no idea how old any given sorority was, how many chapters it had, what its philanthropy was.

I made my choice based solely on the girls at the particular chapters, how well I "clicked" with them and if I could see myself as their sister.

Looking back, I'm still certain I made the right choice, especially since it turns out the my organization IS strong on a national level and has a great alumnae network. But when my daughters rush I'll definitely encourage them to check out the national aspects of each organization on their campuses.

[RedHotChiO]

Forgive me if I'm wrong here. I've always thought that this was the way that Historically Black sororities thought of themselves. That each one has a unique and distinctive national personality, and when you join you are an "XYZ" for life. It does seem like a good way to think about sororities. You join your sorority for a lifetime, and although we stress that every chapter of a sorority is different, I would like to think that there is some common ground that draws each sister toward our organization.

[CarolinaDG]

I never thought about nationals when I went through. I looked on the internet to see pictures of the girls from my school, but never even researched them at other schools. I'm just now realizing how strong our nationals actually are, and it makes me really proud, so during rush I made a point to tell girls on the edge about that. I was actually talking to a couple of the Sigma Chis the other day about that, too, because they are strong here and nationally, but most of them had no clue. These guys really lucked out because they really are a tight-knit fraternity here, but also have the alum support and connections after they graduate to help them out. And it kind of happened the same way for me. I mean, we all have tough times, but I will never EVER quit my sorority because I know that it goes beyond the people on my hall or the stuff we do on campus, it goes 14,100 collegians strong as well as 180,000 initiates that I can call my sisters.
*gets off soapbox*

[FuzzieAlum]

I think there is a degree of truth to the idea that Sorority X is the same all over the nation.

I know one sorority that, no matter where I meet their members, they always seem to be very appearance-oriented and "sorority girl-ish." I saw a couple of gals the other day, and I thought, "They look like X," and then I saw them get in their car - with that sorority's sticker on it.

Another sorority I know almost always seems to be "down to earth." They are almost always known as nice girls but are almost never the "top" chapter on campus.

But there are always exceptions. One fraternity I know is generally filled with jocks ... except on my campus, where they are the hard-core nerds. They say it's strange come convention-time. Every sorority has at least one chapter, I'm sure, that is "different."

I think the similarities come about because of the creed, the membership selection process, the advice of traveling consultants, etc. What does your sorority value? Do they only colonize on academically strong campuses? Do they pride themselves on their "firsts"? Are they striving to be the largest nationally? Do they stress diversity, strength through youth, strength through age, a commitment to existing chapters, expansion, etc.? Is their stronghold the south, the northeast, the midwest? These things are what make XYZ different than ABC.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by RedHotChiO
Forgive me if I'm wrong here. I've always thought that this was the way that Historically Black sororities thought of themselves. That each one has a unique and distinctive national personality, and when you join you are an "XYZ" for life. It does seem like a good way to think about sororities. You join your sorority for a lifetime, and although we stress that every chapter of a sorority is different, I would like to think that there is some common ground that draws each sister toward our organization.

Your observation about NPHC is on point.