Rushing at UF as a junior?

anne15 · #1 06-17-2013, 12:44 AM

I'm thinking of transferring there for my junior year. (fall 2014) I know how competitive rush is at UF and being an upperclassmen is definitely a disadvantage. Rush at any SEC schools seems frightening!
If I were rushing should I not even get my hopes up that high for a bid to anywhere?
I mean I've been doing well in school so far, I'm in a few clubs, an honor society, and on the cheerleading team at my school. I also volunteer and have a 4.0. Of course my gpa is able to change, but since I plan to go to med school I do my best to keep it as high as I can. My sister was also in a sorority at UF, and I know of other girls that have graduated elsewhere that would write recs for me and help me network to obtain more.
I know when it comes down to it, the most important part is the conversation and connection with the members, but would I stand a chance at all even though I'm not a freshmen?
(also I would probably be there an extra year due to my major)
Advice please?

adpiucf · #2 06-17-2013, 09:01 AM

You'll get the same advice we give everyone. We can't tell you your chances. We can tell you that you should get recs to every UF sorority and keep an open mind to membership in every chapter. Good luck and have fun. Go Gators!

FSUZeta · #3 06-17-2013, 09:01 AM

From your description it sounds like you have all the boxes checked off :good gpa, clubs, honor society, cheerleading, etc.

For some UF sororities it is rare that they would take a junior, but others groups are more open to it. You will need recs. to every sorority, and an open mind.

anne15 · #4 06-18-2013, 11:11 AM

Oh I would definitely be getting recs for each one. I'm aware I would experience heavy cuts just for the fact of being an upperclassmen. By no means would I go through rush only caring about a few, or getting so upset and completely stop rushing just because I only got asked back by a few or even just one sorority.
Like most, I'm terrified that I would be let go by every single one!

adpiucf · #5 06-18-2013, 11:25 AM

We wish you lots of luck, no matter what and we'll be here to be supportive.

Stick around!

anne15 · #6 06-18-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

We wish you lots of luck, no matter what and we'll be here to be supportive.

Stick around!

Thank you!

PanseyGirl · #7 06-18-2013, 11:59 AM

Do not be discouraged. My best friend pledged when she was a Junior at Florida.

ChioLu · #8 06-18-2013, 03:48 PM

Two of my friends pledged as sophomores at UF. Both had activities, community service, stellar grades, and lots of recs.
If there's anything you can add this summer -- like more volunteer work or multiple recs for each house -- it won't hurt.

thetalady · #9 06-19-2013, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anne15

Oh I would definitely be getting recs for each one. I'm aware I would experience heavy cuts just for the fact of being an upperclassmen. By no means would I go through rush only caring about a few, or getting so upset and completely stop rushing just because I only got asked back by a few or even just one sorority.
Like most, I'm terrified that I would be let go by every single one!

Don't be terrified of not getting a bid! if you don't join a sorority, you still have plenty of opportunities to get involved & make friends on campus. You sound like a terrific person. Remind yourself of all of your good qualities. Do not even think about not getting a bid. It might make you nervous or reek a little of fearfullness. BE CONFIDENT!

anne15 · #10 06-19-2013, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChioLu

Two of my friends pledged as sophomores at UF. Both had activities, community service, stellar grades, and lots of recs.
If there's anything you can add this summer -- like more volunteer work or multiple recs for each house -- it won't hurt.

I actually have a whole year left so I will try to add some stuff!

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetalady

Don't be terrified of not getting a bid! if you don't join a sorority, you still have plenty of opportunities to get involved & make friends on campus. You sound like a terrific person. Remind yourself of all of your good qualities. Do not even think about not getting a bid. It might make you nervous or reek a little of fearfullness. BE CONFIDENT!

Thanks. ahah. I mean, not to sound cocky, but I feel as if (in comparison to other upperclassmen) I could be a competitive pnm. I could be completely wrong though! I can't help but be terrified of not getting a bid. I have wanted to join a sorority for a long time. Many friends and family have been greek and have enjoyed their experience. I've always loved the bond and sisterhood that sororities represent, so to me even if I was involved in other things I would still be upset that I missed out on the type of bonds that only those in sororities seem to have.

adpiucf · #11 06-19-2013, 03:46 AM

I don't know a single non-Greek Gator who feels like they missed out. Whatever happens, you're going to have a great time in Gainesville. Seriously. There are ways to form those bonds without a letter shirt!

I believe UF has an upperclassman quota, but there's no guarantees, of course, that you'll get a bid just because of the upperclass quota. However, I hope that reassures you that if a chapter wants to pledge a qualified upperclassman, they do have opportunities. There are also opportunities for Spring recruitment if you're unmatched in the fall.

I know it is all a bit nerve wracking and exciting, but continue to read about recruitment on Greek Chat, keep a low profile online, and keep a very open mind about accepting membership in any of the chapters at your school. Your options may be limited as an upperclassman rushing at an SEC school, so if you really want to join a sorority, be happy with a bid to any of them and make the most of your experience.

ETA: Any chance you'd transfer this fall? Or why not rush at your present school and stay there?

gatorgirl1 · #12 06-19-2013, 11:02 AM

I'm also a rising junior planning on rushing at UF this fall. I'm worried that it will be a disadvantage for me, especially because I have been at UF since freshman year, but I'm really interested in joining a sorority because of the support system that it provides, along with leadership/community service opportunities. I'm involved with some student orgs already and have a 3.9, but I don't really know any alumnae who could write recs for me. Is it worth it for me to rush? I don't want to graduate and feel like I missed out on something!

FSUZeta · #13 06-19-2013, 11:16 AM

You need recs.as a freshman. It is not an option as a junior at UF. There is tons of info. on GC pertaining to recs in the recruitment forum. Read it all.

MaryPoppins · #14 06-19-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorgirl1

I'm also a rising junior planning on rushing at UF this fall. I'm worried that it will be a disadvantage for me, especially because I have been at UF since freshman year, but I'm really interested in joining a sorority because of the support system that it provides, along with leadership/community service opportunities. I'm involved with some student orgs already and have a 3.9, but I don't really know any alumnae who could write recs for me. Is it worth it for me to rush? I don't want to graduate and feel like I missed out on something!

Concise advice on how to obtain recommendations:
http://www.uapanhellenic.com/index.p...d=15&Itemid=32
(The advice comes from the University of Alabama but applies to any school.)

anne15 · #15 06-19-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I don't know a single non-Greek Gator who feels like they missed out. Whatever happens, you're going to have a great time in Gainesville. Seriously. There are ways to form those bonds without a letter shirt!

I believe UF has an upperclassman quota, but there's no guarantees, of course, that you'll get a bid just because of the upperclass quota. However, I hope that reassures you that if a chapter wants to pledge a qualified upperclassman, they do have opportunities. There are also opportunities for Spring recruitment if you're unmatched in the fall.

I know it is all a bit nerve wracking and exciting, but continue to read about recruitment on Greek Chat, keep a low profile online, and keep a very open mind about accepting membership in any of the chapters at your school. Your options may be limited as an upperclassman rushing at an SEC school, so if you really want to join a sorority, be happy with a bid to any of them and make the most of your experience.

ETA: Any chance you'd transfer this fall? Or why not rush at your present school and stay there?

From reading GC I can tell that the biggest thing is to keep an open mind. Which makes perfect sense, especially for someone in my position. If I do end up going to UF I would not have too high of expectations. One of my friends that just graduated from Alabama was talking to me a little bit about rush. She said she's going to "train me Bama style." Haha.

No there isn't. :/
Also, my current school doesn't even offer Greek life. UF though isn't the only school I'm looking to transfer to, but it is one of the main ones.