WA state resident looking to rush at Ole Miss - Any Advice?

[candiceena]

Hi ladies (and gents)!

First of all I'd like to introduce myself a little... I am 19 years old and am in Seattle, WA. I will be graduating from a local community college w/ my AA in General Studies and am planning on transferring to Ole Miss. I have been to the South before and absolutely love the culture. I have wanted to join a sorority since I was a little girl and am just wondering if anyone could offer any tips, insight, etc. on rushing at an SEC university, especially for a Northern woman.

My GPA is about a 3.7, but I will be transferring there as a Junior. I plan on triple majoring so will be spending between 3-4 years at Ole Miss - will this be taken into consideration at all?

I have read that SEC universities are extremely competitive. I will be starting school in the Fall 2008 term. One of my good friends is a Tri-Delt at Washington State University, but she will still be an active member when I rush, so I'm not sure if she will be able to write me a rec.

I am more than willing to dedicate lots of time and effort into preparing for this experience, because, like I said, it is something I have dreamed of for years and am very, very excited to do. Any suggestions, tidbits, insight, advice, etc. is very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by candiceena

My GPA is about a 3.7, but I will be transferring there as a Junior. I plan on triple majoring so will be spending between 3-4 years at Ole Miss - will this be taken into consideration at all?

During your conversations throughout Rush, I would definitely mention that your plan is to spend 3-4 years on campus.

Welcome to GreekChat. Best of luck to you!

Oxford, MS is a wonderful place.

[shinerbock]

First of all, good luck.

Unfortunately, my initial impression is that this could be a very difficult process. Ole Miss is perhaps the most competitive greek school in the country, and people have been known to transfer to highly thought of MS private schools their senior year of HS to help their chances during rush. I'm glad you enjoy the culture, you'll need to embrace it fully in rush. Seems like a tough line to toe, you'll want to show you can fit into the traditional southern sorority culture, but you don't want to seem like you're chasing the novelty. I think your age could be a hindrance as well, and like the above poster stated, you'll want to assure people you'll be around for a solid period of time.

I'm sure there are some UM people on here who can give more directed advice.

[FSUZeta]

there are several threads on recruitment at ole miss. i would look under something like "ole miss rush thread". if that brings no results, then just go the the rush forum, under recruitment stories and start looking. there is a long thread entitled "SEC rush" which might also be helpful.

you will need recommendations to each sorority at ole miss.

[KSUViolet06]

I'm going to be honest, I have Greek friends there and I've never heard of a junior transfer getting a bid at Ole Miss.

Keep in mind that most of the girls rushing there will be freshmen with recs to every chapter and dazzling resumes filled with community service, sports, and even pageant titles. Alot of them are from the same states/towns as sorority members so they might be better connected. Many of the girls are legacies also (sisters/daughters/granddaughters of sorority members).

In addtion, you will need recs for as many of the sororities as you can get.

[AlphaFrog]

Does anyone know if they have an upperclassmen quota? I can't really see that they would, being that the houses are already overflowing....

My advice is to decide what you're willing to accept. If you think you would only want to be in a top or middle group, I wouldn't waste the time rushing...if you don't mind being in one of the "smaller" groups, than go in with an open mind and see what happens...

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

if you don't mind being in one of the "smaller" groups, than go in with an open mind and see what happens...

Are there any "small groups" at Ole Miss? I thought they were all at 200+. I would think that even the smallest chapter is pretty competitive.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Are there any "small groups" at Ole Miss? I thought they were all at 200+. I would think that even the smallest chapter is pretty competitive.

I thought I read in a thread that there were one or two smaller ones...but maybe I'm thinking of Bama.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I thought I read in a thread that there were one or two smaller ones...but maybe I'm thinking of Bama.

Yeah that's Bama you're thinking of. Ole Miss only has like 8 or 9 sororities and they're all fairly large.

Oh and for candiceana, here's the Ole Miss Greek Life site (it has info on recruitment, the different sorority websites, etc):

http://www.olemiss.edu/greeks/PHC/

There are some posters here that go/went to Ole Miss that can tell you more (OleMissGlitter & MSKKG)

[candiceena]

Hmm. Thanks for the responses.

Not to sound rude (so I hope it doesn't come off like this) but are you saying I have no chance at all?

I was fairly active in high school, I played softball and was a cheerleader, and I am active in my community now as well. It's a no-go on the pageant titles, LOL, but I figure I won't know unless I try...

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by candiceena

Hmm. Thanks for the responses.

Not to sound rude (so I hope it doesn't come off like this) but are you saying I have no chance at all?

I was fairly active in high school, I played softball and was a cheerleader, and I am active in my community now as well. It's a no-go on the pageant titles, LOL, but I figure I won't know unless I try...

Nobody is telling you not to try, they're just trying to give you a realistic picture. Are you aware of what southern greek life is like, especially at places like Ole Miss?

[candiceena]

To be completely honest, Greek life is basically foreign to me. I'm not a legacy but it is something that I have always wanted to do. I definitely appreciate all the responses though.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally Posted by candiceena

To be completely honest, Greek life is basically foreign to me. I'm not a legacy but it is something that I have always wanted to do. I definitely appreciate all the responses though.

And it's probably NOTHING like your Tri Delta friend went through at Wazzu.

You should get in touch with the Overlake Panhellenic and they may be able to help you get recs. Their contact info is probably on the NPC website. www.npcwomen.org The Seattle APh works with the UW so they are going to be much less help.

[SoCalGirl]

Definitely read all the Southern rush threads. While I would encourage you to go through rush for at least the experience of meeting all those people ... I would also say that if you're into prayer, you should start praying three times a day from now until bid day that you get bid.

[SigKapCoug]

Yeah, I'm going to second that it's nothing like Wazzu rush.

Rush here is VERY laid back. Pan day is like, t-shirt and shorts. Pref day is sun dress. Juniors regularly get bids.