Joining a sorority at UT Knoxville for fall '11

[livinonlove]

I was looking for UTK specific threads, but couldn't find any recent ones so hopefully someone can answer the few questions I have.

I'm an out of state senior in high school, I've been thinking about joining a sorority for about a year and started doing my research a few months ago. Coming from two non-american cultures, i've never known much about greek life or what to expect. It's completely different than I thought, and in a really good way.

But anyway, my semester GPAs have gone up drastically since sophomore year. Because of my mediocre sophomore year, my overall GPA has been dragged down despite how well i've done the past two years. I don't know if the stats matter but (Sophomore year I had a 2.3/2.4, Junior year a 2.6/3.1, and this year a 3.4 and second semester grades still aren't finished yet, but should be even higher)

my over all GPA right now is at a 3.0 exactly. Since i'm not so familiar with the greek scene, and my GPA isn't horrible, but not outstanding either, should I just go ahead and try to rush freshman year? Or should I become more familiar with the greek scene at UTK freshman year, and have bangin' grades then rush my sophomore year?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by livinonlove

I was looking for UTK specific threads, but couldn't find any recent ones so hopefully someone can answer the few questions I have.

I'm an out of state senior in high school, I've been thinking about joining a sorority for about a year and started doing my research a few months ago. Coming from two non-american cultures, i've never known much about greek life or what to expect. It's completely different than I thought, and in a really good way.

But anyway, my semester GPAs have gone up drastically since sophomore year. Because of my mediocre sophomore year, my overall GPA has been dragged down despite how well i've down the past two years. I don't know if the stats matter but (Sophomore year I had a 2.3/2.4, Junior year a 2.6/3.1, and this year a 3.4 and second semester grades still aren't finished yet, but should be even higher)

my over all GPA right now is at a 3.0 exactly. Since i'm not so familiar with the greek scene, and my GPA isn't horrible, but not outstanding either, should I just go ahead and try to rush freshman year? Or should I become more familiar with the greek scene at UTK freshman year, and have bangin' grades then rush my sophomore year?

Good starting points for advice:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=106337

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=118833

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=119022

[irishpipes]

UTK is pretty competitive, so your best chance at a bid will likely be as a freshman. Your grades may hurt you, but hopefully you will have good recs and activities. You can always rerush as a sophomore if things don't work out for you.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

You can ask your rec writers to highlight the fact that your GPA has improved over time. The "you" going through rush is much closer to the "senior year you" than the "sophomore year you".

[AZTheta]

Yours is not the first thread that has brought up the subject of a comparatively weak high school GPA. That suggests to me that your study skills may be somewhat lacking.

My advice: please learn how to study before you get to the university. Having sat through umpteen scholarship meetings, here's what I know:

- not going to class will result in failing grades.
- not studying (I'm talking about spending HOURS outside of class reviewing notes, doing the reading, writing papers far in advance of their due dates so that you can have others proof and edit them, meeting with other students to discuss the material, etc.) will result in failing grades.
- go to office hours. Let your professors and TAs KNOW who you are.
- use a planner.
- manage your time wisely. Learn how to create and use a schedule that works for you.

Your first priority is your education, which is very expensive. College is hugely different from high school (and I won't even talk about graduate school which is a whole other level).

From what you've written, it appears that you're starting with a less than stellar GPA when compared to many incoming freshmen. My concern is for your long-term success, not only socially but academically. Sororities have high academic standards that members must meet, not only to receive a bid, but to maintain membership. You'll be way ahead of the game if you get it together before you set foot on campus.

It is heartbreaking to see young women fail at their studies; and termination of sorority membership due to not meeting scholarship standards does happen.

In other words: go through recruitment as a freshman and be sure you know how to master the academic challenges you're going to face. I wish you all the luck in the world on your recruitment.

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Yours is not the first thread that has brought up the subject of a comparatively weak high school GPA. That suggests to me that your study skills may be somewhat lacking.

My advice: please learn how to study before you get to the university. Having sat through umpteen scholarship meetings, here's what I know:

- not going to class will result in failing grades.
- not studying (I'm talking about spending HOURS outside of class reviewing notes, doing the reading, writing papers far in advance of their due dates so that you can have others proof and edit them, meeting with other students to discuss the material, etc.) will result in failing grades.
- go to office hours. Let your professors and TAs KNOW who you are.
- use a planner.
- manage your time wisely. Learn how to create and use a schedule that works for you.

Your first priority is your education, which is very expensive. College is hugely different from high school (and I won't even talk about graduate school which is a whole other level).

From what you've written, it appears that you're starting with a less than stellar GPA when compared to many incoming freshmen. My concern is for your long-term success, not only socially but academically. Sororities have high academic standards that members must meet, not only to receive a bid, but to maintain membership. You'll be way ahead of the game if you get it together before you set foot on campus.

It is heartbreaking to see young women fail at their studies; and termination of sorority membership due to not meeting scholarship standards does happen.

In other words: go through recruitment as a freshman and be sure you know how to master the academic challenges you're going to face. I wish you all the luck in the world on your recruitment.

Greekchat really needs a like button.

[livinonlove]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Yours is not the first thread that has brought up the subject of a comparatively weak high school GPA. That suggests to me that your study skills may be somewhat lacking.

My advice: please learn how to study before you get to the university. Having sat through umpteen scholarship meetings, here's what I know:

- not going to class will result in failing grades.
- not studying (I'm talking about spending HOURS outside of class reviewing notes, doing the reading, writing papers far in advance of their due dates so that you can have others proof and edit them, meeting with other students to discuss the material, etc.) will result in failing grades.
- go to office hours. Let your professors and TAs KNOW who you are.
- use a planner.
- manage your time wisely. Learn how to create and use a schedule that works for you.

Your first priority is your education, which is very expensive. College is hugely different from high school (and I won't even talk about graduate school which is a whole other level).

From what you've written, it appears that you're starting with a less than stellar GPA when compared to many incoming freshmen. My concern is for your long-term success, not only socially but academically. Sororities have high academic standards that members must meet, not only to receive a bid, but to maintain membership. You'll be way ahead of the game if you get it together before you set foot on campus.

It is heartbreaking to see young women fail at their studies; and termination of sorority membership due to not meeting scholarship standards does happen.

In other words: go through recruitment as a freshman and be sure you know how to master the academic challenges you're going to face. I wish you all the luck in the world on your recruitment.

I guess I'm saying this at the risk of sounding defensive, but I haven't failed at my studies. I finished this semester with a 3.7, so I'm not worried about my study skills or academic drive. My priorities have changed a lot since sophomore year, I think the upward trend in my GPA and my class difficulty show that.

But anyway, do sororities look at your transcripts, or will I just need the upward trend mentioned in my recs? I'm an out of state student from MD, I'm still trying to figure out how to even get recs when I don't know any women in sororities...

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by livinonlove

I guess I'm saying this at the risk of sounding defensive, but I haven't failed at my studies. I finished this semester with a 3.7, so I'm not worried about my study skills or academic drive. My priorities have changed a lot since sophomore year, I think the upward trend in my GPA and my class difficulty show that.

But anyway, do sororities look at your transcripts, or will I just need the upward trend mentioned in my recs? I'm an out of state student from MD, I'm still trying to figure out how to even get recs when I don't know any women in sororities...

@the bolded: that is not what I wrote, re-read my post and yes, you sound defensive. Not sure what you mean by "class difficulty"; did you start taking AP courses or did you do that all along? Were you in an "academically competitive high school" (we have those here in AZ, with selective admission)?

You will be up against other freshmen who have 4.0s (or close to it) including AP classes, and with impressive, solid resumes, including school and community service.

I cannot speak for every GLO regarding reviewing transcripts. I will tell you that as a person who writes recommendations, I ask to see transcripts. I don't keep them, but I look at the actual grades and the SAT/ACT scores. It only took one PNM misrepresenting herself on a resume for me to start that practice. I need to see the grades myself rather than relying on what a PNM put on her resume.

As for obtaining recommendations, there are a plethora of threads on Greek Chat on this very topic.

[AnotherKD]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

@the bolded: that is not what I wrote, re-read my post of and yes, you sound defensive. Not sure what you mean by "class difficulty"; did you start taking AP courses or did you do that all along? Were you in an "academically competitive high school" (we have those here in AZ, with selective admission)?

You will be up against other freshmen who have 4.0s (or close to it) including AP classes, and with impressive, solid resumes, including school and community service.

I cannot speak for every GLO regarding reviewing transcripts. I will tell you that as a person who writes recommendations, I ask to see transcripts. I don't keep them, but I look at the actual grades and the SAT/ACT scores. It only took one PNM misrepresenting herself on a resume for me to start that practice. I need to see the grades myself rather than relying on what a PNM put on her resume.

As for obtaining recommendations, there are a plethora of threads on Greek Chat on this very topic.

Keep this in mind when people are gently (yes, gently) letting you know that your grades may not be up to snuff. You may have finished the semester with a 3.7, but a semester's worth of better grades won't pull up a 3.0 cumulative very much at the end of your senior year.

[AOEforme]

Originally Posted by livinonlove

I guess I'm saying this at the risk of sounding defensive, but I haven't failed at my studies. I finished this semester with a 3.7, so I'm not worried about my study skills or academic drive. My priorities have changed a lot since sophomore year, I think the upward trend in my GPA and my class difficulty show that.

But anyway, do sororities look at your transcripts, or will I just need the upward trend mentioned in my recs? I'm an out of state student from MD, I'm still trying to figure out how to even get recs when I don't know any women in sororities...

To get recs, ask around. You'll be surprised how many women you know who are in sororities and have never mentioned it. Also, contact your local Alumnae Association.

In terms of your grades and studying, I graduated high school with a 4.5 and took only AP classes my senior year (well, and choir!). I barely scraped a 2.95 my first semester because I did exactly what AzTheta said not to. I assumed that because I had done well in high school, the same academic techniques would apply. They didn't.

College is 1,000,000 times different than high school, so heed the advice that has been given. It sounds like you've changed your study styles, but you will need to do it again in undergrad.

[Titchou]

Ask your teachers, school guidance counselor,people you've worked for and volunteered with, neighbors, parents' friends, Sunday School teachers, etc. Greek women are in all these places. It does not need to be a collegian nor anyone at UTK. Network. And then network some more. If someone agrees to write one for you, ask her if she knows anyone in the other NPC groups on UTK's campus. I've helped many a PNM that way. Generally I'll ask a PNM which other recs she needs...but sometimes I don't and they usually don't even tell me. Bad move on their part!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by livinonlove

But anyway, do sororities look at your transcripts...

Yes! Our alumnae panhellenic requests them, and when I get them I pass them on to the chapters. Some of the sororities in our alumnae panhellenic require copies.
You have nothing to be ashamed of! Your GPA is not the uppermost, but you're OK. But don't restrict yourself by considering only certain sororities. The ones who will be willing to take PNMs with lower grades are the ones that are in "less demand."
Truthfully, every sorority at UTK has outstanding women. Don't leave any one of them out of your possibilities.

[DubaiSis]

You may have improved a great deal, and that's great, and the comment above may have seemed like a lane swerve, but is still extremely good advice. My story is very much like AOEforme so I won't repeat, but believe both of us that smart or good in high school means very little in college.

Yes, advise your rec writers about your positive change in GPA through high school, and do be prepared to accept a sorority that may not be your first choice. Ask the Greek life office if they can give you the minimum GPA required for all the houses. Whether a chapter can break their own rules is part of member selection and therefore a secret that can't be shared here, but if they all say 3.25 you're going to have trouble, and you'll want to know that going in so if you do get cut completely out of recruitment you will at least have some sort of a reason.

And then if you do make a match, do plan to have to make choices between hanging out with your new sisters and your homework. You will still have a great college and sorority experience, and hopefully never spend time on academic probation which is a complete bummer.

Good luck!

[Jill1228]

Originally Posted by Barbie's_Rush

Greekchat really needs a like button.

Or a reputation button. I'd be giving mad rep

[sherrybaby]

Bottom line: no matter what your grades in high school, you are going to have to work much harder to pull the same grades in college. Even if you think you are working as hard as you possibly can - it probably won't cut it.

I went to an extremely academically rigorous private school, and pretty much never studied except for finals. If I paid close attention in class and did my homework, I was fine. This is basically never the case for college. You may not be going to classes eight hours a day, every day, but you should fill up the majority of that new free time with schoolwork. I wanted a 4.0 this semester, and I had to sacrifice a lot to get it, even though I graduated with a 4.35.

Something that helped me was choosing one night of the weekend to stay in and catch up on work. Only if I honestly had no work to do would I go out both nights of the weekend. Did I miss a few fun times? Sure, but now the girls who went out almost every night of the week are on academic probation and people are annoyed with them for bringing down our chapter GPA.

You need to go in with the mindset that you will have to step it up a notch with your study habits. I would say this even if you were the valedictorian or skipped five grades or what-have-you - and if that's not the case, you will have to work that much harder.