rushing at UF

[Florida_love]

I'm interested in rushing as a sophomore at the University of Florida. I'm looking for some input into sorority life at UF. Is sorority recruitment competitive? In your opinion, how will me being a sophomore negatively influence my chances of receiving a bid? Thank you.

ps; I've also contacted several alumnae groups for sororities at UF in order to meet with them and hopefully receive a recommendation. I've had a very hard time locating a Delta Gamma. If you're a Delta Gamma and are willing to help me find a recommendation, I would really appreciate it. Thanks again!

[KSUViolet06]

UF recruitment (from what I've seen here on GC and from friends who are alumnae from there) is competitive. As a sophomore, it will be more difficult for you to receive a bid because some chapters will only want freshman PNMs.

But it is not impossible. There have been sophs at UF who rushed and got bids. The best advice I can give you is to be open minded about all chapters. It's not a good idea to listen to any rumors or hearsay about chapters and rule them out.

Another important piece of advice is to be sure you stand out in terms of grades and extracurriculars. As a sophomore, you can't afford to be lacking in either of those areas. Sororities like to see girls who are involved on campus and even in leadership positions. Your GPA also needs to be good. Chapters often cut girls who don't meet their grade standards immediately. Also, given a choice between a freshman with great grades & soph with okay grades, the sorority will usually go with the freshman.

Also, recs are a MUST. It's good that you are starting now because those are very important. Keep in mind that many GC Delta Gamma's won't write recs for gitls who ask for them here.

There are some UF alumnae here who can probably give better advice than I can (i.e. kdonline).

Good luck!

[FSUZeta]

wondeful advice above. heed it.

don't get set on one sorority. since you are going to be a sophomore your choices might be less than that of a freshman.

have you contacted the panhellenic office? there may be some sororities who will be able to hold informal recruitment this semester and you could be having fun with a bunch of new sisters before spring break rolls around. give the panhellenic office a call to see. worst case scenario is that you decide you want to wait and give fall rush a try, but you could use spring informal recruitment to hone those rush skills.

[gatorgirl105]

I think I could be of some help! I also rushed as a sophomore at UF. It is not as impossible as you might think. In many of the rush groups, a third of more of the girls were sophomores. Mine even had one junior and she got a bid to a top house! The best advice I could give you is to network yourself among some of the panhellenic women. Don't do it just for the sake of getting a bid next year, they will probably see right through it but you shouldn't be shy about asking some girls for tips! Most girls I know would LOVE to give advice about recruitment! The more girls that know your face and name when you go through recruitment, the better. Just be yourself! Most houses on this campus are looking to get their girls involved in as many things as possible, so I agree with the advice above. If you are involved with something that you could add to the chapters list of organizations that they could claim their sister is a part of, it would help. I won't lie to you though, rush is tough, and some houses are more reluctant to take sophs. BUT, no house has a no-sophomore policy. My house doesn't take many at all, I was very lucky to get my top choice! One reason they might not take many is because older girls dont have as many chances to run for positions within the house because usually you move up the rankings from a small position to possibly an EC position. Tell the girls that you really want to get involved in your sorority as soon as you get a bid! So they know that even though you're older, you haven't given up on your desire to give time and involvement to your house. Sorry this is so long! But I just have personal experience and I know how I felt, and I wish you the best of luck!

[AnchorAlum]

Originally Posted by Florida_love

I'm interested in rushing as a sophomore at the University of Florida. I'm looking for some input into sorority life at UF. Is sorority recruitment competitive? In your opinion, how will me being a sophomore negatively influence my chances of receiving a bid? Thank you.

ps; I've also contacted several alumnae groups for sororities at UF in order to meet with them and hopefully receive a recommendation. I've had a very hard time locating a Delta Gamma. If you're a Delta Gamma and are willing to help me find a recommendation, I would really appreciate it. Thanks again!

DG Alum here.
Where are you from? That would be a good place to start.

[sunshine73]

I'm really new with all of this, so could someone let me know how someone gets recs from alumnae? Do you contact groups, or just have to know someone?

Originally Posted by sunshine73

I'm really new with all of this, so could someone let me know how someone gets recs from alumnae? Do you contact groups, or just have to know someone?

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=54403 -- read the entire post or scroll down to the Recommendations area.

Try to read as much as you can in the recruitment forums and use the search functions as many times as you need to. Chances are, the questions you're wondering about have already been answered.

[kdonline]

Here's a thread from a UF sophomore's recruitment. Granted, it was in 2002, but it's probably the best written account of UF recruitment on greekchat.

Along with a good GPA & some activities (as no chapter wants a sister who is going to drag them down), you should be open-minded to all the houses.

Your best bet with recs is to actually MEET the alumnae in person - Florida is full of alums who take recommendation writing seriously, so please do what you can to meet these women. Recs written by someone who you have met are more powerful - esp. at UF - than those written by someone who was just handed/emailed your resume. Also, ask current sorority members if they might have direct contact with an older sister who can write you a rec.

Good luck!

[Thetagirl218]

Good Luck at UF! I know recruitment there is VERY competitive, but go into it with an open mind. I have several friends from my own sorority and others who go to UF, and they love Greek Life there! As for looking for rec, check out those links. They should give you all the information you need on contacting local NPC alumnae chapters.

[baci]

I wish you all the luck.

Rushing at UF is truly tough and EXTREMELY competitive. Wear a smile, be yourself, and have a blast. You will make so many memories!