Schools where you absolutely positively need recs

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ml2314

I got one last letter of rec. My problem is that it would now be late. Better to send it in late or not at all?

Better late than never. Send it in.

Originally Posted by sunflowerx528

Does anyone know if recs are needed for Union University in Jackson, TN? There are only three sororities, so I'm not sure if that makes it more competitive or less?

The number of sororities on a campus has nothing to do with the competitiveness of the system. There could be 3 sororities because the Greek system isn't popular enough to support more, or there could be 3 sororities because they've all been there since Teddy Roosevelt was in office and are all super strong and new GLOs are at a disadvantage.

[ComradesTrue]

I belong to an APH that writes recs for many of the schools listed in the "you must have recs" list. I am wondering how many of those schools are ones where having 2 recs is becoming the norm? We want to properly advise our local girls to ensure they are on equal footing, but don't want to needlessly stress them out if one is sufficient.

Seems that I have read on here that at Bama and (??) Auburn many of the PNMs will have 2 recs. Even when I was at TCU, 20 years ago, there were chapters where 2 recs were helpful, and now that recuitment numbers have doubled there I am hearing that it's not a bad idea to have 2 for all of the chapters if you can. Obviously Univ of Texas is its own creature with the copious amounts of letters of support that are submitted on behalf on the PNMs.

Anyway, would love to hear input from those in the know at other SEC and Texas schools, as well as other uber-competitive (Indiana?) schools.

[westcoastsunset]

Does anyone know about Chapman University?

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

I belong to an APH that writes recs for many of the schools listed in the "you must have recs" list. I am wondering how many of those schools are ones where having 2 recs is becoming the norm? We want to properly advise our local girls to ensure they are on equal footing, but don't want to needlessly stress them out if one is sufficient.

Seems that I have read on here that at Bama and (??) Auburn many of the PNMs will have 2 recs. Even when I was at TCU, 20 years ago, there were chapters where 2 recs were helpful, and now that recuitment numbers have doubled there I am hearing that it's not a bad idea to have 2 for all of the chapters if you can. Obviously Univ of Texas is its own creature with the copious amounts of letters of support that are submitted on behalf on the PNMs.

Anyway, would love to hear input from those in the know at other SEC and Texas schools, as well as other uber-competitive (Indiana?) schools.

Is 2 recs more helpful than 1 if they say the same thing? (As far as information about the PNM is concerned.) Is it just better because it's 2 alumnae endorsing a PNM instead of just 1?

[AXOrushadvisor]

I think recs are going to become increasingly important as sorority recruitment becomes more popular. I would not send my daughter through ANY recruitment without securing a rec for each Chapter on campus.

At Arizona State University I would absolutely have a rec secured for each Chapter. They are not mentioned in their recruitment booklet that they send out, but recruitment is getting more competitive every year.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Is 2 recs more helpful than 1 if they say the same thing? (As far as information about the PNM is concerned.) Is it just better because it's 2 alumnae endorsing a PNM instead of just 1?

Well, they shouldn't say the same thing because the writers aren't the same people. Everyone has their own perspective on a person so what I would say about Suzie Snowflake will differ from what you have to say. Yes, the resume will be the same but the opinion will differ or add credence to the first.
It's sort of like making a motion and getting a second.

[DubaiSis]

But 2 relatively generic recommendations is probably not worth the effort, ie., having an APH write you 2 recs. It would seem if you personally know 2 alumnae, getting a rec from both if you're at one of these competitive schools can only help, but just adding paper to your stack seems unnecessary. But someone can feel free to jump in and correct me!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

But 2 relatively generic recommendations is probably not worth the effort, ie., having an APH write you 2 recs. It would seem if you personally know 2 alumnae, getting a rec from both if you're at one of these competitive schools can only help, but just adding paper to your stack seems unnecessary. But someone can feel free to jump in and correct me!

That's what I was getting at. Obviously a rec from 2 alumnae a PNM knows personally is helpful, because they'd be able to offer a different perspective. I meant to ask, "Is it really helpful to have 2 info-only recs (which would say the same thing) from two different APH members from a given sorority if you have no personal contacts for that sorority?"

[Coug2012]

Hi! I am going to washington state in fall of 2012 which I am really excited about I know recs never hurt but I was wondering how important they are at wsu. I know I can get some for a fair amount of the sororities at wsu but I am not sure if I will be able to get all 14 covered. I know plenty of people who were in sororties but the thing is a lot of them were in the same ones. So I guess all I am wondering is if to have a good chance at wsu do I need a rec to every single sorority?

[CougADPi]

Originally Posted by Coug2012

Hi! I am going to washington state in fall of 2012 which I am really excited about I know recs never hurt but I was wondering how important they are at wsu. I know I can get some for a fair amount of the sororities at wsu but I am not sure if I will be able to get all 14 covered. I know plenty of people who were in sororties but the thing is a lot of them were in the same ones. So I guess all I am wondering is if to have a good chance at wsu do I need a rec to every single sorority?

My first impulse is to say no it is not necessary to have one to every chapter, but since it has been a decade since I participated, I am asking some people and will hopefully have a better answer tomorrow.

Welcome to the Coug family!

[Coug2012]

Originally Posted by CougADPi

My first impulse is to say no it is not necessary to have one to every chapter, but since it has been a decade since I participated, I am asking some people and will hopefully have a better answer tomorrow.

Welcome to the Coug family!

thank you! I am so excited!

[CougADPi]

Ok, coming from people actually involved with the chapters at WSU right now (several different chapters), recommendations are a nice thing to have, but are no way required. Most people may have one or two, but it sounds like it would be fairly rare for someone to have one to every chapter.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Coug2012

Hi! I am going to washington state in fall of 2012 which I am really excited about I know recs never hurt but I was wondering how important they are at wsu. I know I can get some for a fair amount of the sororities at wsu but I am not sure if I will be able to get all 14 covered. I know plenty of people who were in sororties but the thing is a lot of them were in the same ones. So I guess all I am wondering is if to have a good chance at wsu do I need a rec to every single sorority?

Even if they were in the same ones, they probably know people who were in different ones. It doesn't hurt to ask!

[Coug2012]

Originally Posted by CougADPi

Ok, coming from people actually involved with the chapters at WSU right now (several different chapters), recommendations are a nice thing to have, but are no way required. Most people may have one or two, but it sounds like it would be fairly rare for someone to have one to every chapter.

Thank you for checking, this is very helpful to know!

Originally Posted by 33girl

Even if they were in the same ones, they probably know people who were in different ones. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try this if the situation is right! but it doesn't sound like it is super important to have one to every single chapter so I am not going to stress about it too much.

[Socalparent]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Let's start the list. I'll compile on this first post by continuously editing. Carnation, could you sticky this?

You Must Have Recs If You Are Attending Any Of These Schools:
All SEC schools (no exceptions!): Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Miss State, Arkansas, Vandy, LSU, Texas A&M
Big XII: Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Missouri, Texas Christian
ACC: Florida State, Clemson
Pac 10: USC, Arizona
Big 10: Indiana
Southern Methodist
Southern Miss

My daughter and I recently visited OSU. Our tour guide was in a sorority so we asked about recruitment and specifically letters of rec. She said they weren't necessary but then I thought to double check here. I don't want to say the young lady didn't know but I'd rather err on the side of caution and get the recs.

I have a friend who is an alumnae of a sorority at USC so she's going to start the rec process and reach out to her friends too. She's a great believer in Greek life and has been very encouraging and positive. My daughter has also contacted the local Alumnae Panhellenic who is starting the process too. Thanks for the tips here on who, what, where to look.