USF Fall Recruitment

emerald mermaid · #1 06-26-2007, 12:37 AM

Hi! I'm finally de-lurking to ask a few questions because I registered for Fall Recruitment at the University of South Florida, and I'm already getting nervous! I have a good, solid GPA, I have a good personality, I'm friendly, I'm pretty, I had a lot of extracurriculars/ community service, etc. You know the drill! But I still have some concerns.

The first thing, which is probably my main concern, is that I am coming to USF from a community college, so I am a junior. HOWEVER, I am planning on pursuing a double major, so I plan to be there for more than just 2 years. I have heard that some sororities will cut you right off the bat for being an upperclassman, but I don't want that to hurt my chances, because I DO plan on being at USF for at least 3 more years! Do you think that someone will bing it up during recruitment? Should I mention it during a conversation?

Also, I have heard that many sororities have meetings Monday nights. I have registered for a class on Monday nights. I mean, there is still time to fix that, but I don't want to seem overconfident and rearrange my schedule to accomidate a sorority I haven't been accepted to yet! If I do get initiated however, is that something I will need to do?

I am so nervous! I tend to get more nervous than I should, but if there is anyone who goes to USF/has rushed there/can relate, or has any additional advice on what to do/wear/say, etc, that would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you so much!

SoCalGirl · #2 06-26-2007, 01:39 AM

I have no USF experience but regarding the Monday night class I do have some thoughts. The only class that I ever took during meeting was a required course to graduate in my last quarter of school. A friend of mine from another sorority, who was also a chapter officer, was also registered for the class. She was a year behind me so she had to drop it and wait till two quarters later to take the class.

My point is that generally if you don't have to take the course at that time and could potentially take it another semester/quarter later, then you'd probably be encouraged to drop the class.

PenguinTrax · #3 06-26-2007, 09:01 AM

I wouldn't worry about the class thing. After all, you are there to get an education, first and foremost. I would inquire as to how that would be handled, in general terms, and see what is said.

violetpretty · #4 06-26-2007, 10:33 AM

Where is twinkle555?

adpiucf · #5 06-26-2007, 11:28 AM

Just call the USF Office of Greek Life to find out when chapter meetings are held. All of the sororities will hold their chapter meetings on the same day at around the same time each week. Go from there.

You will get cut from a few chapters at USF in the early rounds at recruitment on the basis on your year in school. But since you are coming in with good grades and activities, you should have a reasonable chance at getting a sorority bid by keeping your options open and giving all of the chapters who invite you back a fair chance.

By the way, your football team sucks.

It's not too late to join us on the other side of I-4.

AlphaFrog · #6 06-26-2007, 11:40 AM

I didn't go to USF, but again, about the class thing - I was elected VP of Alum and Parlimentarian, and then I had a required class that conflicted with chapter meetings. I had to drop the Parlimentarian postion (yeah - imagine that the Parlimentarian actually had to BE at the metings

), but I was still the VP of Alum...and I know we had regular (non-office holding) members who had conflicts and it wasn't a problem. They just had to read the chapter minutes and were expected to get info for all events coming up from either the Secretary or another sister.

Like previously said - you're in school to get an education, not to be in a sorority.

DMCBlondie · #7 06-26-2007, 11:57 AM

Despite being a junior you have a lot to offer and most chapters will realize that! I think you should definately mention that you're going to be there for at least 3 more years. With that fact mentioned, it makes you just as eligible as any sophmore rushing. Put an emphasis on how much you want to get involved with positions within the sorority and activities outside.

With respect to Monday meetings, they are probably new member meetings, which are absolutely mandatory. Usually if you don't attend new member meetings you don't get initiated. Ask each house while you're going through what happens on Monday nights, but don't necessarily say you have a class that you can't change.

sherbertlemons · #8 06-26-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

By the way, your football team sucks.

It's not too late to join us on the other side of I-4.

Is our football team really that much better?

We also have Sunday night chapter meetings!

Honestly, I'm sure that the USF sororities probably have a policy that accomodates members with class during chapter meetings. I also might ask the office of Greek life what is generally done.

Is your recruitment the week before school starts, like it is at UCF? If that is the case, you may be able to wait and see what the chapter thinks, assuming you get a bid. They would be able to give you more specific information on their policies.

If there is more than one section of this class, and you only have this specific section because the others were full, you may be able to look during add/ drop and see if any other sections at more convenient times have opened up. I used to do that all the time and it worked really well.

adpiucf · #9 06-26-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherbertlemons

Is our football team really that much better?

Shhh! They'll hear you and we're supposed to play them in October!

Thetagirl218 · #10 06-27-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

By the way, your football team sucks.

It's not too late to join us on the other side of I-4.

Are you saying, UCF has a good football team...um ok...how many bowl games were they in this past year? Oh I forgot, yea none...Ok, enough football rivarly. As anyone can see from my sorority affliation, I do not attend USF as my sorority is no longer there.

Even though I go to UNF(With no football team, I might add), and I have grown up in the Bay Area, and I have friends who attend USF. My advice is to go into Rush with an open mind, and to just be yourself! I don't know what the unoffical policy there is about transfers joining as pledges. Just out of curiosity, which community college did you attend?

Faith4Keep · #11 07-10-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218

Are you saying, UCF has a good football team...um ok...how many bowl games were they in this past year? Oh I forgot, yea none...Ok, enough football rivarly. As anyone can see from my sorority affliation, I do not attend USF as my sorority is no longer there.

Hey now, show some Theta love to your sisters at UCF!!!!

twinkle555 · #12 06-27-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

Where is twinkle555?

haha i dont come on GC for ONE day and this is what i miss!! lol..

emerald, ill PM you. but DEFINITLY consider what the other girls have written..they are giving you great advice!! also go to USF's panhellenic site that ShaedyKD gave you its very helpful!!

DMCBlondie · #13 06-27-2007, 12:33 PM

I guess I was right about chapter Alpha Frog.

But if a new member misses her NMMs then don't you think she misses bonding with her pledge class? I would feel really disconnected if I always missed chapter and other important meetings. Yeah we're in college to learn, but you also choose to be in a sorority, and pledge that it's one of your most important interests.

adpiucf · #14 06-27-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMCBlondie

But if a new member misses her NMMs then don't you think she misses bonding with her pledge class? I would feel really disconnected if I always missed chapter and other important meetings. Yeah we're in college to learn, but you also choose to be in a sorority, and pledge that it's one of your most important interests.

No, that's why there are membership retreats, socials and philanthropy events. And if a sorority chooses to schedule their meetings during a time when classes are being held, that's their fault, not the new members'. A new member should never feel guilty because she opted for a class schedule before she ever became a member of XYZ.

I don't know about other schools, but at UCF and USF, the admin seem to take pervere pleasure in complicating your ability to graduate on time-- hence "U Can't Finish" and "U Stay Forever." If you find a class you need, you take it ASAP... b/c they may decide not to offer it for another 4 years or force you to change your catalog and toss a bunch of other new requirements at you.

AlphaFrog · #15 06-27-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMCBlondie

I guess I was right about chapter Alpha Frog.

Well la-di-da for you. I still have yet to see where someone said all sororities have their NM Meetings on Monday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMCBlondie

But if a new member misses her NMMs then don't you think she misses bonding with her pledge class? I would feel really disconnected if I always missed chapter and other important meetings. Yeah we're in college to learn, but you also choose to be in a sorority, and pledge that it's one of your most important interests.

NO.