what is the point of recs?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LSU Mom

My sorority at LSU cannot pledge a girl without a rec. If they really like a girl they will make the effort to find an alum in her hometown to do some research and sponsor her. If they don't fall in love with a girl then they wouldn't take the time and the girl would not be pledged.

But the problem is when they have to make cuts on the first day. They haven't had time to "fall in love" with her, and some girls need to be cut.

[justme920]

i am a hs senior. i made the sat scores for auto admission so i am definently going to a&m, im not even sure im going to apply elsewhere. those confrence things sound really beneficial, i will look into that. i was just put of by the idea of having a stranger write me a rec, it just feels somewhat dishonest. thanks so much for you're help, the website was kinda misleading, the greek life at tamu isnt quite as prominent as some other schools so i thought maybe they were for real when they said they werent necessary. thanks for clearing that up, i guess it makes sense that they have a lot on their plates and dont need more because somebody didnt get a rec on their own... as for asking people that i know, how does that conversation go? it seems like a fantastic opportunity for an akward conversation lol

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by justme920

as for asking people that i know, how does that conversation go? it seems like a fantastic opportunity for an akward conversation lol

"Hi Mrs. Smith! Let me introduce myself, I'm Justme. I heard from Ms. Random Person that you were an ABC at Somewhere University. I plan on attending Somewhere U next fall. I'm really interested in the Greek system there and was wondering if you would be willing to talk to me about your organization and your experiences?"

Then let the conversation flow from there.

[sarahsmilehawk]

I was one of those PNMs who believed Panhellenic when they said I didn't need recs. I couldn't think of any Greek women I knew off the top of my head and I didn't really understand what a rec was. So I forgot about it.

If Panhel had said "Recommendations are not required to participate in recruitment, but some chapters may require them," I would have at least tried.

Of 900ish girls who came through recruitment at my school, about 600 of them had recommendations for my chapter.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by sarahsmilehawk

. . .
Of 900ish girls who came through recruitment at my school, about 600 of them had recommendations for my chapter.

Thank you sarahsmilehawk. That's helpful info, IMHO: GreekChatters, note this, please: that's about 2/3 with recs at KU (U. of Kansas), a school that people on GC often say is competitive, but not ultra-competitive like the SEC schools.

Sure, each chapter will have slightly different figures on the number having recs to that chapter, but it's likely that all/ almost all chapters are going to be in the same general ballpark.

So . . . when next year rolls around, will it be fair to say, if anyone asks about KU, that around 2 out of 3 potential new members enter recruitment with recs, and it would be a good idea for any PNM to get recs if she can? (Might as well fit in with the substantial majority if possible.)