Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinamoon08
I have been accepted to college of Charleston for fall 09 and I am looking forward to rushing in the fall but I have NO idea where I start and what I am supposed to do...I know that I have the grades (I’m coming in from a community college) and all of that....
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Register when you can. Start looking for alumnae to write you recs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinamoon08
I hear about Legacies...well, my sister is a legacy in Gamma Phi Beta, but my university doesn’t have a gamma phi beta chapter so is the legacy then forgotten? To me it seems like it would be since her chapter isn’t there....
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You are correct that your legacy doesn't mean anything to chapters. They are only bound to give special consideration to their own legacies. However, it could be good to bring up that your sister is a Gamma Phi Beta, because it shows that (or at least many people would assume that) you are knowledgable about what Greek life entails (time committment, meaning, values, etc). And because Gamma Phi Beta is not at CofC, you won't have to worry about getting cut because people will assume you'll go to your legacy chapter, as we sometimes hear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinamoon08
rec letters! no idea where to begin with that...and I have seen that some sororities require a picture along with the rec letter, is that normal?
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Try your hardest to find recs through your own network. You have plenty of time to ask around and find personal contacts.
Ask:
teachers
activity sponsors/coaches/other school staff
friends of your sister
sisters/mothers of your friends
parents' friends
older friends
women from your place of worship
coworkers
families you babysit for
The best people to start with would be Greek women you already know even if their org doesn't have a chapter at CofC, because often, they may know of Greeks who are alumnae of orgs that DO have a chapter at CofC. Also, do ask men. They may know of Greek women too.
Typically, when trying to obtain recs, you'll want to:
1. Ask in person or over the phone.
2. Give your recommender a packet with your unofficial transcript, a "resume" of activities/jobs/accomplishments/etc. with a description of what each entails, your picture, a stamped envelope addressed to the chapter, any special instructions (deadlines, what needs to be sent, etc) and anything else your recommender requests.
3. Write a thank you note to your recommender.
Recs from women who know you personally are best. Recs from a friend of someone you know are good too, though they might want to interview you (lunch, coffee, etc). Only when you've exhausted your personal network should you contact the Alumnae Panhellenic in city in which you live. There will be women who can write you recs, and they may also want to interview you first. Keep in mind that Alumnae Panhellenics often have deadlines for when recs can be requested, so you might want to call and find out if that applies and when it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinamoon08
my sister said that it’s a good idea to just rush "one"...THE one you KNOW you want, while I heard from someone else it’s a good idea to rush ALL of them....thing is I dont know which ONE I want and I think it might be a better idea to rush them all anyway...
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Terrible, terrible advice by your sister. If you go through formal recruitment, you'll have to visit all chapters for which you have an invitation and room in your schedule anyway. Keep as open of a mind as possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinamoon08
I would be extremely willing to listen to some advice about this, because according to my school I can’t call the Greek life office until registration for recruitment starts in June, and I have a lot of questions that I want to get answered before I register....
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I can't imagine why a Greek Life office wouldn't let people call with questions. Read the "General Advice" thread. It's really comprehensive and it even has a table of contents so you can see what is in it. Ask us on GC any questions you may have. Then, call the Greek Life office if you can't find answers to your questions or if we can't answer them.