Almost64's Recruitment Thread (at an SEC school) - Page 2

almost64 · #16 12-11-2006, 12:10 AM

yeah, I really didn't care all that much about making the name of the school public, I just wasn't sure if it was OK to say it. After all, there have got to be at least 400-500 girls rushing, and I haven't given out my name or anything like that.

I think that in my case, the school is an important part of how my rush will turn out. Since the SEC is notoriously competitive, my lack of recs, legacies, new outfits for every single round (don't have the time to go shopping for 7 new outfits!), etc. will probably make an impact on my rushing.

I dunno, maybe someone else at a school similar to mine can learn from my experience/result? haha, like....learn not to trust a single word that comes out of your GA's mouth. I wonder if when she said "oh yeah, don't worry, I didn't have a single rec and I didn't have issues getting cut from tons of houses because of it," she was just lying?

kdonline · #17 12-11-2006, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almost64

I dunno, maybe someone else at a school similar to mine can learn from my experience/result? haha, like....learn not to trust a single word that comes out of your GA's mouth. I wonder if when she said "oh yeah, don't worry, I didn't have a single rec and I didn't have issues getting cut from tons of houses because of it," she was just lying?

There could be some truth to it.

Some alumnae write recs without ever telling the PNM about it. I did.

When I was a high school teacher, I wrote many recs for my students, even those who did not tell me if they were rushing. I just sent the recs to their school's chapters (and passed their names on to my friends in other sororities so they could do the same).

We all know that women's minds change quickly. "Oh, everyone in my hall was rushing, so I signed up at the last minute!"

Good luck!

aopirose · #18 12-11-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdonline

Some alumnae write recs without ever telling the PNM about it. I did.

Me too. I'll scan the registration lists from our Alumnae Panhellenics and I'll see some familiar names. If I know the family well enough, I won't need to call for additional information.

33girl · #19 12-11-2006, 11:36 AM

Official Panhellenic policy and official policy for many sororities is that the sorority will obtain a rec for the woman if one is needed to give her a bid. So your GA really wasn't lying to you.

Of course, official policy isn't always what is actually happening.

Buttonz · #20 12-11-2006, 01:08 PM

Good luck! I hope your able to get at least a few recs before rush starts.

Did you go to HS in the area? If so, maybe some of your teachers went ahead and sent them in without you knowing?

Lessie · #21 12-11-2006, 04:33 PM

I'm so excited to see a Vandy recruitment thread and I can't wait to hear more about your impression of the sororities so far!

On the issue of recs, I will say that Vandy is not as competitive as other SEC schools. While there are a handful of sororities which essentially require them in that a woman just won't be on their radar without one, those groups are in the minority. Unlike most other SEC schools, Vandy students come from all over the country and most do not have a ton of recs. I know it seems like everyone has them and everyone is a legacy, but that's just not the case! While they certainly help, and may be necessary for a few chapters, it won't make or break a Vanderbilt recruitment. Your ability to make a connection with the women you meet during the process is much more important!

Good luck!

Denise_DPhiE · #22 12-11-2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aopirose

Me too. I'll scan the registration lists from our Alumnae Panhellenics and I'll see some familiar names. If I know the family well enough, I won't need to call for additional information.

That is wonderful!

Denise

REE1993 · #23 12-11-2006, 07:14 PM

Were you born here? I too am a first-generation American. The fact that both your parents grew up and schooled in Europe, and (I am guessing) that your family is very immersed in your ethnic culture, might be very interesting to many sisters.

Americans tend to think that Europeans are "cool". Especially if you speak another language. I would definitely embrace your culture. I am not sure how much of a part of your life your heritage plays, but in my case, I grew up very Italian. It's part of my identity. Obviously, I didn't show up to rush waving the Italian flag and speaking Italian, but if it is part of who you are, don't let that hold you back.

The suggestions that the women here have given you is great. I am in a non-NPC sorority, so I did not face the rec issue, but reaching out an meeting alums is a great idea, regardless. Good luck, and I hope that you find a sisterhood to "come home to".

Just remember, discretion is extremely important in these threads.

UGAalum94 · #24 12-11-2006, 09:09 PM

Good luck, Almost 64! If rush is in January, you may be able to still some recs. sent. It almost certainly won't ruin your rush not to have them, but it does help. If a group really needs one, and they love you during rush, they can probably get one.

Highjack about recs:

Does anyone know why the official word from Greek Life about recs is so often wrong? Why don't they tell the girls up front that it's good to have recs for as many different groups as you can?

Anyone who works in greek life, can you tell us?

DeltaBetaBaby · #25 12-12-2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

FYI: I didn't not announce the school before the PNM mentioned it. Someone else mentioned it...and the PNM affirmed the school before I said anything.

My mistake, I quoted the wrong poster, sorry.

33girl · #26 12-12-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Highjack about recs:

Does anyone know why the official word from Greek Life about recs is so often wrong? Why don't they tell the girls up front that it's good to have recs for as many different groups as you can?

Anyone who works in greek life, can you tell us?

See my post above.

UGAalum94 · #27 12-12-2006, 09:41 PM

Sorry, 33girl, I didn't know you were an official greek life person. Thanks for answering.

I had read your post, and I knew that it was true in the sense that if a group is really interested, then they will get the recs. I don't think it covers the cases that I'm afraid might occur: in which a group might need to release a bunch of folks early in a really big recruitment, and they might use recs to help decide.

I don't know that this has ever happened, but I can imagine that it might.

I also don't think it's a good plan to put the groups you want to join in the position of having to look for recs for you. When Greek Life offices kind of put out the word "don't worry if you don't have recs" in a recruitment for which lot of girls do already have recs, I think it puts some the girls who accept the official word at a disadvantage right off.

What does your office advise PNMs about recs?

GeorgiaGirl · #28 12-13-2006, 09:00 PM

I can only speak for UGA, but...
girls are NOT released ONLY because they do not have recs. PNMs may tell you that they are sure that was the reason they were cut, but that is not the case. I was a recruitment counselor this year and I spoke to many girls in other sororities about this. While most sororities do require a girl to have a rec before they can offer her a bid, they also have alums, advisors, officers, etc. who's job it is to find rec for girls during recruitment by calling alumnae from her hometown. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that they WILL find you a rec if they want to offer you a bid. At least at my school...

AchtungBaby80 · #29 12-13-2006, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

See my post above.

What you said is definitely true. The problem I have with what Panhellenics currently tell PNMs, though--at least, what they told us--gave the impression that recs weren't worth getting because we didn't need them. I know the official policy, but I think they should also add something like, "...but it's good to have them if you can get them."

almost64 · #30 12-14-2006, 06:13 PM

Ok, so looks like I'm not going to get any recs. I'm having to take care of some family business which involves a ridiculous amount of traveling (and no long amount of time in one place!), and my schedule is so unpredictable that I have no idea where/when I'm gonna be in any one city to make an appointment. So....that's out.

So when rush starts, say XYZ is interested in me and wants a rec. They have alumni at the house during rush so that they can just say "Hi, this is [my name], why don't you guys talk?" and then she'll write a rec? If so, wow, I wasn't aware that anyone other than active sisters were at the houses during rush.