Is it all about looks?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

There are definitely chapters that do cut for not looking the part. It's part of the game, but your bolded comment is important. Squeezing a square peg in a round hole just makes for a miserable experience, IMO.

I agree that this is the most important. Although I think many PNMs think they want to be a part of that chapter, even if they'd never really fit in there.

[Low C Sharp]

I think you're a sweetheart, but this is a big sugar coated pile of bull squeeze. Looks matter a lot to some chapters. If a pnm doesn't measure up to their standards, it isn't something she can change. Fortunately, there are chapters that put an emphasis on other things.

Thank you, thank you, for stating this often-denied truth.
________

[apple15675]

My recruitment experiences all come from the University of Mississippi, and I will tell you, some girls will judge you based on your weight. But most will not. Looks do matter, somewhat, but they aren't the most important thing to most chapters. What's more important is your GPA, extra curriculars, recs, and most importantly, your attitude.

Be outgoing and respectful. Meet girls from different chapters. If you're really that worried about it, try to lose some weight. But in the end do you really want to be in a chapter that cut you because of how much you weigh anyway?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I just want to say that it goes both ways. I came from a "weak recruiting chapter", and you know what? PNM's didn't want to come back to my chapter because we had fat women. I don't understand this, myself, having chosen my chapter, but it seems that some people think fat women don't make good friends or that cuter girls are automatically nicer people.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I just want to say that it goes both ways. I came from a "weak recruiting chapter", and you know what? PNM's didn't want to come back to my chapter because we had fat women. I don't understand this, myself, having chosen my chapter, but it seems that some people think fat women don't make good friends or that cuter girls are automatically nicer people.

I imagine the people who would reject a chapter based on image are probably more interested in image than they are in friendships with nice people.

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I just want to say that it goes both ways. I came from a "weak recruiting chapter", and you know what? PNM's didn't want to come back to my chapter because we had fat women. I don't understand this, myself, having chosen my chapter, but it seems that some people think fat women don't make good friends or that cuter girls are automatically nicer people.

You are only talking chapter level. What happens when it hits on an organization level?

It is an ugly "It works both ways" situation. That's why at the end of the day you have to know you and how you will fit in.

Believe me when you get to the other side, those "stereotypes" get old quick and you will find yourself hating your own chapter/organization.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BluPhire

You are only talking chapter level. What happens when it hits on an organization level?

It is an ugly "It works both ways" situation. That's why at the end of the day you have to know you and how you will fit in.

Believe me when you get to the other side, those "stereotypes" get old quick and you will find yourself hating your own chapter/organization.

I think there are too many groups for that to ever happen as far as the NPC is concerned.

[AGDee]

I would not join any club that would have someone like me as a member.

Groucho Marx

But seriously folks. It is not EVER only about looks, but whether you present yourself well is important, not just in joining a sorority but in obtaining a job, meeting new people, networking, etc. There are a lot of average looking people who, when they put their best foot forward, look polished and put together.

[KSUViolet06]

^^^So true. Really stupid assumption.

*raises hand and admits to being skinny and not nice*

[DrPhil]

I don't think this thread is supposed to be as funny as I find it. And its humor has absolutely nothing to do with weight.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

*raises hand and admits to being skinny and not nice*

I love this.

[adpiucf]

Of course looks matter during recruitment. The recruiters are all 18-22 year old girls. Superficial matters. Even in job interviews, the attractive people are more likely to get the job.

[FleurGirl]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Of course looks matter during recruitment. The recruiters are all 18-22 year old girls. Superficial matters. Even in job interviews, the attractive people are more likely to get the job.

I think that's only true as far as it is with interviewing for a job. Honestly, if a girl is put together and obviously put some thought into her outfit and did her hair and makeup, she looks like she cares and wants to be there. If a girl shows up in sweats, she instantly looks like she doesn't care enough to try -- if that's true for recruitment, what kind of a sister will she be? It's the same thing as interviewing for a job; if you look sloppy, it's hard to believe that your work won't be sloppy. If a chapter is going to cut you because they don't like your hair/weight/face, that's probably not a chapter full of the supportive kind of women you should be looking for.

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Of course looks matter during recruitment. The recruiters are all 18-22 year old girls. Superficial matters. Even in job interviews, the attractive people are more likely to get the job.

I would think that looks being a factor, matter more in a competitive environment (either sorority recruitment or job recruitment). I am just making assumptions here, but at the schools with very competitive rush mentalities, aren't a vast majority of PNMs going to have stellar GPAs, amazing extracurriculars, multiple recs, and during the ice water teas stage of rush, possibly portraying similar personalities due to the limited time for conversation (engaging, polite, and enthusiastic about going Greek)?

Then wouldn't the next tie-breaker going down the list be looks/appearances?

Since it would be very difficult to distinguish yourself from the other PNMs purely on Grades, activities, recs; unless you were perfect-As since elementary school, solved world poverty, and had a rec from the GLO's national president.

I have read, and its been mentioned quite a few times on GC, the studies that if it were down to two job applicants with equal/similar qualifications, the job almost always goes to the 'more attractive' or skinnier person.

Until we get to a stage where magazines with skinny cover girls aren't being bought, I don't think those attitudes will change in society. Of course there are exceptions, Nigella Lawson is the first to spring to mind. She is incredibly successful, and she appears to never have let her bodyshape be an obstacle. (I understand her family connections may have been very useful, so she may not be the best example, but I couldn't think of anyone else. Oprah I suppose?)