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  #16  
Old 04-02-2007, 02:58 PM
aopinthesky aopinthesky is offline
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USA

I just wanted to say that I know a little bit about rush at USA and from what I have observed it is not highly competitive. This is not to say that you will have your pick of groups, but I think there is a home for everyone who goes through and keeps an open mind. I don't think your age will be a huge factor there.
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  #17  
Old 04-02-2007, 05:22 PM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irishpipes View Post
Booper Doo-

I don't want to seem rude, but a few things struck me from your posts that I just thought I'd mention so you don't go in thinking it's going to be a cake walk.
  • Your age will likely be a factor, especially at a Deep South school. Those schools are sellers' markets and the chapters have their pick. All else being equal, a freshman will have one up on you.
  • Being a transfer student at a Deep South school is also a strike against you.
  • Being from Indiana (or any state other than Alabama) will likely be a strike against you. (Of course I would count it as a point in your favor, personally!)
  • You mentioned the expense of IU and ND - make sure you evaluate the financial obligations of a sorority before you rush and get your heart set on one.
  • You mentioned that your plans are influenced by your boyfriend. Some sororities may frown on that. I hate to say that, because it sounds like your situation is very unusual and I am very supportive of what your boyfriend is doing.
I am sure that at many schools your situation would have little or no affect on your recruitment, but the reality is that USA is Deep South, and Deep South is different. I would recommend getting great recs and also thinking of how you can sell all of your "shortcomings" as assets. Also, it seems that all the things I listed as concerns are things that are now beyond your control. Be sure that the things you CAN control, like your grades and extra-curriculars, are stellar.

Also, BTW Notre Dame has no Greek Life, but it is beyond huge at IU. That is one of the 3 largest Greek systems in the country.

Hey, your not being rude. Just looking for advice here, and thats what you gave

I guess I should stress again, I don't come from an area where greek life is big. IU is SOUTH Indiana unless your going to a local campus like IU-south bend. In which case I compare it to Ivy Tech...which you are prolly not familar with but its a community college. There is no ANYTHING at IU-south bend. It's a very boring campus. I come from North Indiana. Different world. ND is in North Indiana. (as I'm sure you know). I don't know any of my classmates who went down to IU who wanted to go greek.

I honestly do not mean this in a rude way, so please don't take it that way, but comparing the cost of ND or IU to greek life is like comparing the cost of buying a mansion to renting an apartment. ND tuition is about 50 grand,(nd.edu :
Tuition and Fees
$35,190
Room & Board
9,290
Books and Supplies
850
Personal Expenses
900
Transportation
500
Total
$46,730

while IU is more like 20 grand (iub.edu:Tuition and fees$7,460$20,472Room and board *$5,616–$7,164$5,616–$7,164Total for Academic Year$13,076–$14,624$26,088–$27,636* Based on a double room with a full meal plan.
Other Personal Costs for an Academic YearFor new full-time undergraduatesIn-stateOut-of-stateBooks and supplies$650–$740$650–$740Personal expenses and transportation $2,400–$2,950$2,400–$2,950
Just because I can't afford these schools dosent' mean greek life at USA is out of the question...I don't know of ANY sorority that expects 50 THOUSAND dollars a year in dues. But I respect what you said about evaluating financial situation before considering rushing, because as I've said before I don't know much about greek life and until I started persuing information on it, didn't know that some dues ARE quite expensive.

Thanks for the point in my favor as for coming from Indiana If transferring from an Indiana school is going to affect my chances of getting into a sorority that badly, honestly its not something I want to be a part of. I fully plan on giving everyone a fair chance, and hopefully they will do the same for me. But forming an opinion of someone based on where they come from as a reason to not accept them is about as shallow as not accepting them because of their hair color.

Also thanks for supporting what my boyfriend does. But this wouldnt be something I would bring up rushing, as from what I've read boys are a no no to talk about. I would give other (equally truthful) reasons as to why I didn't attend in the Fall.

Thanks for the great advice, yours is one of the best responses I have received.

Have a great day!!
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  #18  
Old 04-02-2007, 05:23 PM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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P.S. sorry about the IU/ND cost part, they were tables until I posted it and it kind of got meshed together
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  #19  
Old 04-02-2007, 05:54 PM
ThetaPrincess24 ThetaPrincess24 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTW View Post
I have to disagree. I think it has to do with the campus culture. On some campuses (especially in the South), 22 (regardless of class standing) is too old, especially when the majority of those going through rush are 17-18 years old and sororities may look more favorably on them.
I agree with this. It really depends on the campus you are on. I pledged at 22 and had no problem whatsoever, but had I been on other campuses in this state I would have had no chance of getting a bid because of my age and junior standing at the time.
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  #20  
Old 04-03-2007, 12:43 AM
DeltaBetaBaby DeltaBetaBaby is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss{BooperDoo} View Post
Thanks for the point in my favor as for coming from Indiana If transferring from an Indiana school is going to affect my chances of getting into a sorority that badly, honestly its not something I want to be a part of. I fully plan on giving everyone a fair chance, and hopefully they will do the same for me. But forming an opinion of someone based on where they come from as a reason to not accept them is about as shallow as not accepting them because of their hair color.
Let me clear this up...nobody is holding your home state against you. Nobody cares that you are from Indiana or New York or Arizona. The problem is that nobody went to your high school, church, summer camp, etc., so you don't have the personal connections that other girls may have prior to rush. You may be competing with girls who already know a lot of sorority members, and you have 20 minutes to impress sorority women who have known other PNM's for years.

THIS IS WHY RECS WILL BE CRITICAL. They can not replace personal friendships with women in the houses, but they will help.
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  #21  
Old 04-03-2007, 01:54 AM
MTSUGURL MTSUGURL is offline
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So, I know this is not always right, and it's pretty laughable since a good number of you know the ancient age I was when I went through a recruitment, but whenever I see this question, I just want to answer...

"Yes."

I've been in a pledge class with girls much much younger than me. I've had a big sister that was much much younger than me. In the south, they will be much younger than you. The seniors that you will bond with won't be there very long. You will have differences. You will want to cringe or roll your eyes often. That being said, recruitment is fun. Do it. Being in a sorority is a blast. But it is hard when you're older.
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  #22  
Old 04-03-2007, 10:25 AM
irishpipes irishpipes is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss{BooperDoo} View Post
Hey, your not being rude. Just looking for advice here, and thats what you gave

I guess I should stress again, I don't come from an area where greek life is big. IU is SOUTH Indiana unless your going to a local campus like IU-south bend. In which case I compare it to Ivy Tech...which you are prolly not familar with but its a community college. There is no ANYTHING at IU-south bend. It's a very boring campus. I come from North Indiana. Different world. ND is in North Indiana. (as I'm sure you know). I don't know any of my classmates who went down to IU who wanted to go greek.

I honestly do not mean this in a rude way, so please don't take it that way, but comparing the cost of ND or IU to greek life is like comparing the cost of buying a mansion to renting an apartment. ND tuition is about 50 grand,(nd.edu :
Tuition and Fees
$35,190
Room & Board
9,290
Books and Supplies
850
Personal Expenses
900
Transportation
500
Total
$46,730

while IU is more like 20 grand (iub.edu:Tuition and fees$7,460$20,472Room and board *$5,616–$7,164$5,616–$7,164Total for Academic Year$13,076–$14,624$26,088–$27,636* Based on a double room with a full meal plan.
Other Personal Costs for an Academic YearFor new full-time undergraduatesIn-stateOut-of-stateBooks and supplies$650–$740$650–$740Personal expenses and transportation $2,400–$2,950$2,400–$2,950
Just because I can't afford these schools dosent' mean greek life at USA is out of the question...I don't know of ANY sorority that expects 50 THOUSAND dollars a year in dues. But I respect what you said about evaluating financial situation before considering rushing, because as I've said before I don't know much about greek life and until I started persuing information on it, didn't know that some dues ARE quite expensive.

Thanks for the point in my favor as for coming from Indiana If transferring from an Indiana school is going to affect my chances of getting into a sorority that badly, honestly its not something I want to be a part of. I fully plan on giving everyone a fair chance, and hopefully they will do the same for me. But forming an opinion of someone based on where they come from as a reason to not accept them is about as shallow as not accepting them because of their hair color.

Also thanks for supporting what my boyfriend does. But this wouldnt be something I would bring up rushing, as from what I've read boys are a no no to talk about. I would give other (equally truthful) reasons as to why I didn't attend in the Fall.

Thanks for the great advice, yours is one of the best responses I have received.

Have a great day!!
I'm from Illinois and went to U of I so I know where you're coming from regarding the differences in Indiana. As for the financial aspect - I know that Greek life is no where near as expensive as an entire college education at ND. Not knowing your personal finances, I was just bringing it up because you had mentioned finances as a concern. It sounds like you are knowledgeable about the costs associated with Greek life - too often girls get swept up in sorority life only to find out half way through their pledgeship that they can't afford to initiate. I'm glad that won't be a problem for you.

And about being from Alabama v. from Indiana. DeltaBetaBaby understood what I meant. Some southern chapters feel like out-of-state PNMs are a risk because no one can really vouch for them. Plus, some groups like to brag that they got all of the Birmingham girls or whatever the city-of-choice is. At some schools, taking out-of-state girls is looked down on. That always seemed silly to me, because at Illinois it was really cool to get out-of-state girls. But, as we've established, the south is just different. Mostly though, a good rec will help negate your out-of-state status since they will have that chance to know more about you.

As for the boys thing - you have obviously done your homework since you know not to talk about boys!

Good luck!
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  #23  
Old 04-03-2007, 10:28 PM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irishpipes View Post
I'm from Illinois and went to U of I so I know where you're coming from regarding the differences in Indiana. As for the financial aspect - I know that Greek life is no where near as expensive as an entire college education at ND. Not knowing your personal finances, I was just bringing it up because you had mentioned finances as a concern. It sounds like you are knowledgeable about the costs associated with Greek life - too often girls get swept up in sorority life only to find out half way through their pledgeship that they can't afford to initiate. I'm glad that won't be a problem for you.

And about being from Alabama v. from Indiana. DeltaBetaBaby understood what I meant. Some southern chapters feel like out-of-state PNMs are a risk because no one can really vouch for them. Plus, some groups like to brag that they got all of the Birmingham girls or whatever the city-of-choice is. At some schools, taking out-of-state girls is looked down on. That always seemed silly to me, because at Illinois it was really cool to get out-of-state girls. But, as we've established, the south is just different. Mostly though, a good rec will help negate your out-of-state status since they will have that chance to know more about you.

As for the boys thing - you have obviously done your homework since you know not to talk about boys!

Good luck!

Ahh, just letting DeltaBetaBaby know, I did read your response before I got to this one, and thanks for the clarification, I honestly didn't think about it that way...just got in defense mode.

I wondered if you were from up arounds here irishpipes, my cousin was at U of I for awhile I think. Thats kind of funny taking pride in accepting all people from one paticular area. I had something somewhat mean about that to write here...but I'll bite my tounge (or fingers?) as I don't personally know anyone in said groups to be mean about it. I've noticed this question popping up alot since I joined, and I'm sure there were hundreds before mine. It's not a big deal to me if I don't go greek, so I truely won't be too heartbroken if for whatever reason (I'm too old...too Northern...too random...I have green eyes...) I don't get in. Who knows

Thanks again for the great advice Have a great day
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  #24  
Old 04-04-2007, 02:42 PM
EGAOPi EGAOPi is offline
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It IS possible, but as others have pointed out, at a Deep South school it's not necessarily a guarantee (not that it is anywhere, but it really may be more difficult).
I'm not in the Deep South--just in Florida--but there were 3 girls in my new member class that were 21 and turned 22 shortly after initiation. They were all at junior standing.
The rest of the girls were between 18 and 20, mostly freshmen and sophomores.
A lot of schools look down on taking upperclassmen, but the age may not be a factor if you just mention the fact that you're a sophomore.
I defintely think if you open up about your situation, they will be understanding.
Definitely, as it has been suggested, get as many recs as you can so these women can learn as much about you as possible before you go into the homes.
Best of luck!
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  #25  
Old 04-04-2007, 05:14 PM
BrooklynTia BrooklynTia is offline
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Thumbs up

I am 36 years old and I am pursuing my goal of membership with everything that I have in me. I live in New York and attend a local college, so I do not face the 'campus' issues that you will encounter. My biggest challenge is not being available for every activity that I possibly can because I am a single mom and cannot always work around my son. My biggest fear is not being considered 'real' by any sisters (when I make membership) because of my age or because I didn't attend a 'campus' school. You'll notice that I said 'when', not 'if' cause if it takes me til 76 yrs old, I'll never stop. Like IrishPipes said, I can only do what I can control with all the excellence that I can muster.

If you don't have any children yet, you have the availability to be as active as you need to be. Enjoy your entire college experience, especially the bonuses of "campus life" and definitely rushing.

I wish you every success and will put up a prayer for us both!! Please, keep us updated!
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  #26  
Old 04-04-2007, 10:04 PM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrooklynTia View Post
I am 36 years old and I am pursuing my goal of membership with everything that I have in me. I live in New York and attend a local college, so I do not face the 'campus' issues that you will encounter. My biggest challenge is not being available for every activity that I possibly can because I am a single mom and cannot always work around my son. My biggest fear is not being considered 'real' by any sisters (when I make membership) because of my age or because I didn't attend a 'campus' school. You'll notice that I said 'when', not 'if' cause if it takes me til 76 yrs old, I'll never stop. Like IrishPipes said, I can only do what I can control with all the excellence that I can muster.

If you don't have any children yet, you have the availability to be as active as you need to be. Enjoy your entire college experience, especially the bonuses of "campus life" and definitely rushing.

I wish you every success and will put up a prayer for us both!! Please, keep us updated!
Thanks hun, and the best of luck to you as well I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that you update as well!!
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  #27  
Old 04-06-2007, 01:35 AM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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might not matter...

Well, all this questioning about age might not matter too much as I have been looking at information on Spring recruitment for USA...and haven't found ANYTHING. Is this something I would normally be able to find easily? I just found that the only information I can find anything on (including stats on GC for recruitment) is for Fall. And by the Fall I will (unless my credits fall JUST short) be a junior. Though I will most likely be there for more than the traditional 4 years (My major *to be usuful in the field I want to go into* requires min of 6 years).

Anyone have any input?
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  #28  
Old 04-06-2007, 08:59 AM
UGAalum94 UGAalum94 is offline
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They may only have COB rush in the spring. It means "continuous open bidding" and it means that the groups who did not pledge quota in the fall can still have informal rush in the spring. If this is the case, and I don't know that it is, it might make is harder for you because know one will know you to invite you. You'll have to work harder to get to know the women in the groups.

I'm not saying this in terms of the sorority thing because I don't know how important it is in the long term, but are you sure you need to take a semester off to be with your boyfriend? If he is that big a part of your life that you'd postpone your education for him, why wouldn't you choose to attend college closer to him to begin with?

ETA: Reading this hours later, I realize that I'm really overstepping with my second paragraph, but what you've said here and what you said in the GPA thread made me think that you might not be making the best systematic decisions about your education. I know it's none of my business, but doing things the way that you've described is really limiting your options and if you take a semester off because of the boyfriend's return, you may be compromising joining a GLO if that's really important to you.

Last edited by UGAalum94; 04-06-2007 at 04:46 PM.
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  #29  
Old 04-06-2007, 03:35 PM
BethanyW BethanyW is offline
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I'm pretty sure USA has something like that, but I think that is ends up being only 4 girls or less for each that does it group. Like Alphagamuga said, if they don't reach quota, I guess. I'm not completely sure, I don't go there yet. Most of the people that I know that go there are guys . Only one of my friends actually rushed at USA, and didn't get a bid.
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  #30  
Old 04-07-2007, 03:51 AM
Miss{BooperDoo} Miss{BooperDoo} is offline
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Not overstepping

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphagamuga View Post
They may only have COB rush in the spring. It means "continuous open bidding" and it means that the groups who did not pledge quota in the fall can still have informal rush in the spring. If this is the case, and I don't know that it is, it might make is harder for you because know one will know you to invite you. You'll have to work harder to get to know the women in the groups.

I'm not saying this in terms of the sorority thing because I don't know how important it is in the long term, but are you sure you need to take a semester off to be with your boyfriend? If he is that big a part of your life that you'd postpone your education for him, why wouldn't you choose to attend college closer to him to begin with?

ETA: Reading this hours later, I realize that I'm really overstepping with my second paragraph, but what you've said here and what you said in the GPA thread made me think that you might not be making the best systematic decisions about your education. I know it's none of my business, but doing things the way that you've described is really limiting your options and if you take a semester off because of the boyfriend's return, you may be compromising joining a GLO if that's really important to you.
It's ok, your not overstepping. Its a legit question given what limited information you have on me. I'm not really taking a semester off, I'm going to school here. I'm just not transferring down to USA in the fall, because I haven't seen my boyfriend in a year, and he won't be coming home until the beginning of August. Right when you need to be transferring down to go through formal rush and all that (as I've read on their site, they have a mother/daughter event August 11th...*ha, my bf's birthday*) to introduce them to campus life and all. I want to be able to spend time with him, but I'm not throwing off education for it. I'm just not transferring until Spring. Still going to school

Thanks for the explanation of COB, have been wondering. And for the really great responses in both threads as well as the re-read of your reply to this. As said before, your not overstepping, but I thank you for the kind reply
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