Tiers

blondebutsmart · #1 09-08-2007, 10:15 AM

I am curious as to the the meaning of this term in the context of sorority life. I have seen it mentioned in several recruitment threads/stories. Is it some kind of perceived popularity factor (pretty, rich, smart = top tier)?

How do sorority girls feel knowing they are in a lower or mid tier (if there is such a thing)?

I would think it would be most important to be with a group of girls you felt a connection with, rather than trying to be with a group that is top tier, but what do I know? I'm still trying to decide if this is for me.

Thanks for your help.

FSUZeta · #2 09-08-2007, 10:28 AM

[QUOTE=blondebutsmart;1515401]I am curious as to the the meaning of this term in the context of sorority life. I have seen it mentioned in several recruitment threads/stories. Is it some kind of perceived popularity factor (pretty, rich, smart = top tier)?

yes-and you are right, pnms should look for the place where they like the sisters and feel most at home. you have the right attitude/

skylark · #3 09-08-2007, 11:03 AM

In the end, I think the successfulness of a sorority experience does not depend at all on what "tier" of a sorority you are in. You are right in recognizing that what counts more is whether you fit with that particular group. Unfortunately, "fit" on this site is used sometimes as just a PC term for whether or not the sorority is of the "tier" that you see yourself being in.

To answer the question of how the lower-tiered girls feel being in their respective sororities... I can honestly tell you that the only time I ever thought about any kind of tier concept was during recruitment week. It seems to matter a lot then, but it isn't important after that at all. So, I can't say that being in a sorority that others on my campus may have described as less-desirable made my sorority experience different at all. In fact, it probably kept me grounded.

texas*princess · #4 09-08-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylark

In the end, I think the successfulness of a sorority experience does not depend at all on what "tier" of a sorority you are in.

I definately agree with this statement.

There is a sorority on my campus that was arguably in the top "tier" when I was in school just a few years ago, and now they are struggling quite a bit. Numbers are down, they didn't make quota, and they can't keep their house full which is causing a financial strain. And everyone can probably attest that a financial strain on the chapter makes it difficult to focus on anything else.

Those girls used to be one of the most involved sororities on campus, and I think their participation on campus has decreased because of the overall morale of the chapter. The lower morale I am guessing is stemming from the financial issues.

So it's really not all about what "tier" you're in...

DeltaBetaBaby · #5 09-08-2007, 12:14 PM

One of the key things about tiers is they designate which sororities mix with which fraternities. So, if you are the type who would only be happy dating the hottest, richest guys on campus, only join a top tier. If you are more open-minded and date really nice guys who are maybe less abercrombie-like, you can afford to be more open-minded about your sorority choice.

If you are a mature adult (which you certainly sound like, OP), you can be happy in any group that you make the most of.

NOLA25 · #6 09-08-2007, 01:29 PM

If you are a mature adult (which you certainly sound like, OP), you can be happy in any group that you make the most of.[/quote]

I agree totally with this! You get out of it, what you put into it. Should not worry what other people think of a sorority. It is what YOU think about it and what you are willing to contribute to it.

lyrica9 · #7 09-08-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I definately agree with this statement.

There is a sorority on my campus that was arguably in the top "tier" when I was in school just a few years ago, and now they are struggling quite a bit. Numbers are down, they didn't make quota, and they can't keep their house full which is causing a financial strain. And everyone can probably attest that a financial strain on the chapter makes it difficult to focus on anything else.

Those girls used to be one of the most involved sororities on campus, and I think their participation on campus has decreased because of the overall morale of the chapter. The lower morale I am guessing is stemming from the financial issues.

So it's really not all about what "tier" you're in...

you thought they were top tier?

see, that's how little it matters and how much it differs even on the same campus. t*p and i were in the same chapter at the same time, and we have different perceptions of the "tiers."

blondebutsmart · #8 09-08-2007, 01:10 PM

Well, DeltaBetaBaby, maybe I'm not that mature because I like dating hot, SMART guys-lol!

Seriously, though, I don't think I could make a decision as big as joining a sisterhood based on what kind of guys I would be dating--unless all other factors were equal (which would be pretty difficult I would think).

UGAalum94 · #9 09-08-2007, 01:29 PM

I think if you are at a campus with tiers, they will be obvious to you when you hear other people talking during rush.

It's not the talk that that determines tier status, but it's really kind of odd how there are clusters of groups that most PNMs like about the same amount, and that those same clusters seem to overlap with having socials with the same fraternities.

You can have a great Greek experience in any tier, so you don't have to give it a lot of conscious thought. The mutual selection process usually works it all out.

squirrely girl · #10 09-08-2007, 02:19 PM

collegians or pnm's with concern about tiers = too much time on your hands

parents with concern about tiers = low self esteem

blondebutsmart · #11 09-08-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrely girl

collegians or pnm's with concern about tiers = too much time on your hands

parents with concern about tiers = low self esteem

Maybe I'm overanalyzing (part of my personality), but it didn't say:

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on one's hands

or

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on their hands

The comment used the word YOUR, so I took it personally because that's what it seemed like to me. Maybe I made a mistake. Sorry. I'm done.

AKA_Monet · #12 09-08-2007, 04:52 PM

Maybe I hope for the best in young people and I am quite removed from the college experience.

My question is if the GLO provided the BEST educational experience in addition to all the other wonderful accouterments of greek life, then no matter what tier the organization is, having the required numbers of membership would not matter?

Sure, it is cool to have a wonderful new set of friends, bond and build friendships for life, but bottom line a GLO is usually associated to a college and university, which means one attempt to get a degree in a respective field to move forward in their life... If strong educational support, with other activities occur, then should the "tier-ness" of an organization matter?

The question is like my Father's chant when he was in school:

"We party hard and stay up late, but most of all we graduate..."

Fleur de Lis · #13 09-08-2007, 05:00 PM

blondebutsmart,

My understanding is that tiers are determined by how many women want to join the chapter that year. Sometimes it is very clear and part of campus culture (like an Old Row designation) but can also be a certain mix of sisters that make people want to be a part of them. Sometimes it's just a bunch of shallow but beautiful girls that all wear designer clothes and get smashed with the hottest guys on campus, and for some reason this is attractive to PNMs. Tiers change at most schools and you are much better off considering sororities that you feel you connected to.

I think sisters in "lower-tier" sororities often enjoy their experience more because "upper-tier" sisters may look around and think "ok, I joined this super popular house but I don't feel like I belong". The "lower-tier" knows that everyone in the chapter really wants to be there, not just because they won the popularity contest.

One more thing: if you've been reading other threads, then you know sometimes GC posters say not-so-supportive things. Don't let random people with too much time on THEIR hands (let's all admit it

) get you down. You asked a good question and for the most part have gotten great answers!

texas*princess · #14 09-08-2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondebutsmart

Maybe I'm overanalyzing (part of my personality), but it didn't say:

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on one's hands

or

collegians or pnm's with concerns = too much time on their hands

The comment used the word YOUR, so I took it personally because that's what it seemed like to me. Maybe I made a mistake. Sorry. I'm done.

I think you are overanalyzing it.

Sometimes people use the words "you" and "your" when they aren't neccessarily directing the post towards anyone... it's just a general "you" "your" reference.

TNmomof5 · #15 09-10-2007, 09:21 PM

Dear Blonde,

Do not be afraid to ask questions. I am sorry you feel chastised. Sometimes people need some help with their delivery responses. I totally understand what you are talking about regarding tiers. My daughter goes to UT Knoxville and we also heard about the tiers. We heard there were three tiers and then many people kept giving us about the same repetitive speech about which sororities where on which tier.

I am in marketing and I see it as a trend. In other words...currently ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO were on the top tier and had repeatedly been on the top tier for many years. PQR kept going from top to middle. I see tiers as not just the richest, prettiest, GPA's but what seems to be be the most popular sorority that ALL the girls are trying to get into. As you know sororities compete on just about every level. Nothing wrong with that at all. Maybe they may be known for the highest gpa's, the most cheerleaders, the prettiest girls, the most homecoming queens, etc. I think they remain in their popularity tier by just being that...the most popular for whatever reason.

As many have said above me and what I told my daughter...go with who YOU feel the most comfortable with and who you could see being in your life for many years to come. This is a sisterhood you are talking about and you are investing your time, energy, and money and make sure you are with a group of girls that feels home to you. She did just that and loves, loves, loves it. I noticed that my daughter's sorority is having mixers with some of the most popular fraternities so I guess it is true when it comes to mixers, etc. What matters is not popularity but how comfortable you feel with each group. Good luck to you!