Sorority Recruitment at TCU

[kv1059]

My younger sister is going through rush at Texas Christian University (TCU) this fall. I obviously wrote her a rec letter/legacy notification for my chapter, but she wasn't able to get letters for most of the other chapters on campus so far - we're from a very small town with no Panhellenic presence whatsoever.
How much will this hurt her come rush time? Are rec letters a critical factor at TCU or will she be fine without them?
Let me know, thanks so much!

[ComradesTrue]

Very important.

I will pm you.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by kv1059

My younger sister is going through rush at Texas Christian University (TCU) this fall. I obviously wrote her a rec letter/legacy notification for my chapter, but she wasn't able to get letters for most of the other chapters on campus so far - we're from a very small town with no Panhellenic presence whatsoever.
How much will this hurt her come rush time? Are rec letters a critical factor at TCU or will she be fine without them?
Let me know, thanks so much!

This probably isn’t what you wanted to hear, but it’s what’s posted on the whole page that TCU devotes to recommendations for 2009 recruitment:

“It is strongly recommended that you secure a recommendation for each sorority.”

http://www.greeks.tcu.edu/phc_recruitment-5.asp

Probably safe to say "strongly recommended" = your term, "critical." I hope that GCers knowledgeable about TCU can give you helpful and accurate advice / suggestions.

[kv1059]

Eek, ok, thanks and thanks - I'm not sure how we can go about getting the letter for her, especially so close to recruitment... any ideas?

[FSUZeta]

did you have friends or even acquaintances in other sororities? give them a call or facebook them.

[ComradesTrue]

Okay, based on your pm to me, you do live in a small town, however that small town is very near a much larger town. In addition, I am familiar with your smaller town, and can assure you that there are teachers in that district that have sorority affiliations.

As we have suggested many times before, your sister should do the following:
--contact the alumnae panhellenic in the large town that you live near. THere may be members of that panhellenic who live in your area.
--contact teachers, friends of your parents, parents of your friends, members of your church, etc. Let them know where she will be going to school. Many women know other alumnae and can network for her
--some orgs will let collegians write recs for PNMs attending a different school. Do you have friends in other GLOs that might be willing to do this?

All that to say: Get the word out.

Since it is late, she needs to get her resume, transcripts, photos, etc ready for them pronto. A follow up thank you note is a must. Remember that these women are also busy and she is asking them to drop everything to help her. Many will, but just keep that in perspective.

TCU will accept recs up until recruitment, but it is STRONGLY suggested by this alumna to get them there ASAP. I don't know how to say this more clearly: not having a rec to a chapter could negatively impact her ability to receive a bid to that organization.

The TCU Greek scene is a wonderful one, and I always encourage incoming freshmen to participate in recruitment. There are 11 amazing groups on the campus and most women can find a home if they maximize their options. However, she just needs to drop everything else and concentrate on her recs for the next week. Seriously.

Be sure and read the stickies on recommendation caution to PNMs.

Best of luck to her.

[kv1059]

Thanks ladies, I passed the word along to her, it's her (OUR!) new mission this week!

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by exlurker

Probably safe to say "strongly recommended" = your term, "critical." I hope that GCers knowledgeable about TCU can give you helpful and accurate advice / suggestions.

Yes.

At least they are now using the term "strongly recommended." Back in my day they said that recs weren't necessary, which of course could not have been further from the truth.

[em_adpi]

Hi - recent (May '09) TCU alum here!

Still need help? PM me!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

did you have friends or even acquaintances in other sororities? give them a call or facebook them.

Ding ding ding ding ding! I sound like a broken record, but I have contacts for 20 of the 26 NPCs in my small (5,000), culturally northern (Maryland) town. Keep digging.