Totally Clueless about Rushing

rlg327 · #1 08-04-2010, 09:40 PM

Hey everyone!

I've been researching the process -reading over posts here at GC, looking up my school's chapters, and feel completely overwhelmed. I've always thought about rushing but didn't realize the full reality of what it entails.

What I see is that I should be gathering recs, how do I go about this? I really don't have any sorority connections, none of my family members were in a sorority, I might have 1 or 2 family friends that were in sororities but other than that, I'm on my own. How can I find alumna that would write recs for me? Also, do I need a rec for every single sorority?
I basically need a crash course lesson about how to be fully prepared for my first rushing experience.

mittens · #2 08-04-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg327

Hey everyone! I'm Rachel and I'm hoping to rush at UF this month.

I've been researching the process -reading over posts here at GC, looking up my school's chapters, and feel completely overwhelmed. I've always thought about rushing but didn't realize the full reality of what it entails.

What I see is that I should be gathering recs, how do I go about this? I really don't have any sorority connections, none of my family members were in a sorority, I might have 1 or 2 family friends that were in UF sororities but other than that, I'm on my own. How can I find alumna that would write recs for me? Also, do I need a rec for every single sorority, or just one's that I'm serious about?
I basically need a crash course lesson about how to be fully prepared for my first rushing experience.

Recs are not required, but are recommended for such a competitive school like UF and can only help you during rush. If you are planning on gathering recs, you need to get on it quickly. Formal Recruitment starts in exactly 2 weeks. Ask your 1 or 2 family friends that were in a sorority -- they could write you a rec if they have became alumna. Ask them if they know any other sorority alumna, ask your teachers, etc. I would get recs for every sorority, I don't know what you mean by the ones you are serious about? What do you know about any sorority besides their philanthropy, colors, symbols, etc? Don't judge a sorority by that, but judge by the members that make the sorority what it is.

FSUZeta · #3 08-04-2010, 10:01 PM

you don't have to get recs. specifically from women who were in UF sororities; they just have to be members in good standing of a sorority that has a chapter at UF. You DO need recs. work like heck to get them.

33girl · #4 08-04-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg327

Also, do I need a rec for every single sorority, or just ones that I'm serious about?

Rush is a mutual selection process. You don't just pick the ones you like and get to go there - the sororities will be picking the rushees they like as well. If these two things don't intersect, a rushee doesn't get invited back to a sorority's event.

For this reason, you need a rec for every single sorority. Even if you like a group, it doesn't mean they will like you.

KSUViolet06 · #5 08-04-2010, 10:41 PM

Read this thread, it answers many frequently asked questions about rush:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=54403

If you are at UF, you need recs to EVERY chapter.

Your rec writers do not have to be from the UF chapter.

Alumnae from ANY school can write you a rec, as long as it is for their sorority.

Ex: A Kappa from UCF or Texas can write you a Kappa rec for UF.

rlg327 · #6 08-04-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Rush is a mutual selection process. You don't just pick the ones you like and get to go there - the sororities will be picking the rushees they like as well. If these two things don't intersect, a rushee doesn't get invited back to a sorority's event.

For this reason, you need a rec for every single sorority. Even if you like a group, it doesn't mean they will like you.

I know, and I'm not casting any sororities off by any means. I'm fully open to all of them, I'm just saying that if I can't get a rec from some chapters, I won't be as heartbroken if I'm cut (I'll have a better understanding of why) and can concentrate more on ones that I feel I have a better chance with, and have the recs for to give me a boost.

KSUViolet06 · #7 08-04-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg327

I know, and I'm not casting any sororities off by any means. I'm fully open to all of them, I'm just saying that if I can't get a rec from some chapters, I won't be as heartbroken if I'm cut (I'll have a better understanding of why) and can concentrate more on ones that I feel I have a better chance with, and have the recs for to give me a boost.

I get the impression that they aren't a extra boost per se at UF. It's more like a must have.

rlg327 · #8 08-04-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I get the impression that they aren't a extra boost per se at UF. It's more like a must have.

Ah I'm really going to have to scramble for them

, I only have 2 weeks. I just research local alumna somehow or is there a chapter database I can look at to find sisters?

prettygirlie · #9 08-05-2010, 02:21 AM

not to crash but maybe this could help rlg too...
when I called my school's greek office to ask about recs. the advisor said that if a PNM has her rec. writers send the letters to her office, she will distribute them. does that mean that only ABC gets the rec from the ABC alum or are they evenly spread? If the latter, then wouldn't that mean less recs that RLG327 needs?

(Sorry again for crashing!)

Titchou · #10 08-05-2010, 07:46 AM

The recs that are sent to the Greek life office should be addressed to the sorority in care of the Greek office. The Greek office should NOT have to open the envelope to see what it is and where it needs to go! My, my, we don't want your personal info all over the place, dear! Recs are sorority specific. Only a DG can write a DG rec, a Chi O a Chi rec, etc, etc, etc. Ask the people writing your recs if they know somone in the other groups you need. You'll get most of them that way.

prettygirlie · #11 08-05-2010, 03:48 PM

Ok that makes a ton more sense. Thank you!

FSUZeta · #12 08-05-2010, 04:23 PM

plus, at a school as big as florida, it would be near impossible for the greek life advisor to distribute recs. to all the sorority houses. better to let the alums. send the recs. to the addresses in their sorority's magazine or on their national website.

BleedOrangeBlue · #13 08-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Yay! Another UF PNM! In terms of recs, UF is not as do or die as some other SEC schools, but let me put it this way, the majority of the girls you are walking into rush parties with WILL probablly have them, at least a few. Do you really want to give everyone around you an automatic leg up? That being said, you are really cutting this close. Sometimes when a girl contacts me this close to rush for a rec, I take it to mean she's not as serious about the process, and I am reluctant to write her one.
On a positive note, I rushed several years ago, and I really went into recruitment blind and clueless! I didn't even know what a rec was! I ended up with my very favorite chapter from the start on bid day. Not to blow sunshise up your ass, but it does go to show you that there are many, many things involved in membership selection. Don't let yourself get too overwhelmed, just remember that all the sororities are trying to impress you just as much as you are trying to impress them. Many of the girls you talk to are more nervous that you are!

gatorK130 · #14 08-05-2010, 07:05 PM

Hi, I'm also rushing at UF this fall! Earlier today I was just googling outfits to wear for rush, and I came upon this website, made an account, and started freaking out. I had no idea I needed recs! It wasn't even mentioned once at my orientation, or in any of the pamphlets.
I've found one good rec for one of the sororities, but I have no idea how to find any others. I'm asking basically everyone I know and their mother, and haven't found anyone.
How exaclty would I go about finding a rec on this site? I saw the board that said some people would do recs, but I couldn't always tell which sorority they were in, and there wasn't a list. Would I just PM them asking if they would be willing to write a rec?
Also, I know that they would have to say that they don't actually know me. Would that me a major downfall?

KSUViolet06 · #15 08-05-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorK130

Hi, I'm also rushing at UF this fall! Earlier today I was just googling outfits to wear for rush, and I came upon this website, made an account, and started freaking out. I had no idea I needed recs! It wasn't even mentioned once at my orientation, or in any of the pamphlets.
I've found one good rec for one of the sororities, but I have no idea how to find any others. I'm asking basically everyone I know and their mother, and haven't found anyone.

How exaclty would I go about finding a rec on this site? I saw the board that said some people would do recs, but I couldn't always tell which sorority they were in, and there wasn't a list. Would I just PM them asking if they would be willing to write a rec?

Also, I know that they would have to say that they don't actually know me. Would that me a major downfall?

GCers generally aren't going to write recs for PNMs that they don't know.