Updates on the whole college admissions business

[dzsaigirl]

So are you going to rush at USC? You should, since the cost of dues and stuff will be a drop in the bucket compared to the whole bill Seriously, you should.

[DeltAlum]

DZ,

Sorry, but I must disagree. If you read the thread, you will know that attending USC will create at least somewhat of a hardship for Newbie's family.

It sounds like she would be an excellent sorority woman -- but how, in good conscience, can she ask for more money?

The alternative would be to get a job to pay for her Greek dues and initiation herself. That would add a fair amount more pressure since there would then be work hours, plus all of the hours that pledging and being an active require, plus a full schedule of classes and homework.

Why add that brain damage -- even though we all understand the benefits that membership brings?

This is a very specific case, and, as a father who has gone through this kind of situation, I would have to say "no way." At least until they know how school is going to work financially and how hard her academic load will be.

Sorry that I have to be so practical.

[bruinaphi]

There is a positive financial side to going through rush and that has to do with housing costs at USC. Even considering the amount you wind up paying for initiation fees and everything else freshman year you still spend less on housing, food and utilities when you live in at USC than when you live on campus or in an apartment. In addition, there is a shortage of housing at USC right now and even with the new dorms there are MAJOR issues. Being in a sorority and living in is a huge advantage. Most women who are on financial aid find a way b/w their own jobs and their loans to afford to rush. I am sure that newbie can chat with amycat and about how others do it, if she and her parents think it is a good idea.

Laura

[33girl]

DeltAlum -

I think she was using the rationale of "once you're soaking wet, what's a few more drops?"

Plus I think newbie said she is going next spring not this fall. She's got a whole semester free to work and save.

p.s. newbie about your major - don't let your parents talk you out of what you want to do. My best dorm-friend wanted to major in education - her parents forbade it cause it pays so little. So she started out undecided. She was a comp sci and accouting major before she graduated as - you guessed it - an ed major.

[DeltAlum]

33

Yep, I understand the analogy about the few more drops. I guess the difference is whether you sink or swim in those drops -- academically and financially.

I guess I really don't know how much sororities cost as opposed to fraternities. The sororities have much smaller insurance costs, so the dues, etc. may not be as much as I'm used to hearing from my undergraduate brothers -- so maybe that can make a difference.

I just know that if our son had decided on Northwestern or Boston instead of taking his full ride at Oklahoma, there wouldn't have been money left for much of anything.

[Glitter650]

I agree with Laura, I'm not exactly sure about USC costs, but at most schools being in a soror, if you live in the house, or greek dorm or whatever is provided; it's either about equal or only a tiny bit more than paying for the normal dorms, if this is true at USC, and Newbie is willing to work in her semester off for whatever difference there may be (if there is one) in price, then I totally think she should go for it !!

[AlphaChiGirl]

Okay, in my opinion, it's better to plan for the costs of joining a sorority RIGHT now, so you can factor it into your savings goals and budget for the semester. I don't know when USC's Rush is, but I know that there are some people who want to join a sorority during our Spring Rush, but can't because they didn't plan for it financially, and their parents aren't going to give them the money for joining, since they didn't spend so wisely first semester. That's just the experience I have of going to another very expensive school and having to deal with the reality that a lot of the girls we like can't join that semester for financial reasons.

I also know that there are installment plans for paying dues (sometimes only after you're initiated). There are girls in my chapter who work to pay their dues, in addition to books, transportation home, even part of their tuition. If it's something you really want to do, you'll do it, even if it means working your summer and fall away, two jobs and loans. It can be done--I see it all the time.

[newbie]

Oops...how did I miss replying to those posts? Sorry you guys!!

As of now, I don't know if I will join a sorority or not. I definitely WANT to...very much so...it's been in my blood since I was like, 10 years old (my sister joined a sorority then). But I'm concerned about the financial aspects of it...

Is it guaranteed that I can live in the house if I were to join a sorority? I *think* that living in at USC would be even cheaper than NOT joining a sorority and living on campus.

My parents won't let me work this Fall, because I will be taking classes at the local CC to get the GEs out of the way. They want me to get a stellar GPA. I will have work study when I come to 'SC though.

I'm not sure what I'm gonna be doing this summer though...I will probably find out tonight...I couldn't get into one class, and another class is tonight, so we shall see. Problem is, if I end up working this summer, I will be able to work only for about one month and a half, because Fall classes start Aug. 19th.

So I guess that as of now, I will go to 'SC in January of next year and see how my feelings are about rushing. If I do decide to Rush, I will rush in the Fall of '03...one semester after coming to 'SC. By then, I should also have a very good idea of which houses I like . BTW, I did meet some sorority women when I visited 'SC in late April -- who were wearing their letters -- and they were extremely sweet! So already I have some favorites .

Thanks again everyone for your advice! You all rock!