A Mad Men re-rushing story

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by 33girl

To sum it all up (LOL) I thought the same thing that AOIIAngel did - that QAs are based on PNM preference and that it benefits the PNMs first, chapter second. If you really could QA dump people into the smallest chapter, there wouldn't be a smallest chapter.

Just because a small chapter makes quota and gets a lot of QAs one year doesn't mean that all of them show up to bid day. It doesn't mean all of them complete the NM period and initiate. It doesn't mean that all of them stay in the chapter until graduation. In order to be a QA, a PNM has to rank said smaller chapter, though it happens frequently that they rank because they feel forced to, so it is more likely that these PNMs turned NMs aren't going to be members for the rest of their time at college, as compared to PNMs who are ranking said smaller chapter because they want it.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by SC2013

Forgive me for holding off on the last post for so long, it's just I know this would be my longest post...and I have a Chapter meeting at 10

Did I miss something?

[dukedg]

I think QAs tend to benefit the middle chapters the most, using both smaller-chapter and PNM-preference systems. The chapters with the best return rates don't get to bring many PNMs to pref and the smallest chapters don't get many actual NMs or initiated members out of QAs. Meanwhile, the middle chapters generally have more PNMs at pref night and are more likely to get PNMs to try out and stick with their "second choice" chapters. I am fine with that, because it stops the most "selective" chapters from really pulling away from the pack.

That's how I've seen it play out, anyway.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Did I miss something?

She joined a professional, co-ed fraternity.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by dukedg

I think QAs tend to benefit the middle chapters the most, using both smaller-chapter and PNM-preference systems. The chapters with the best return rates don't get to bring many PNMs to pref and the smallest chapters don't get many actual NMs or initiated members out of QAs. Meanwhile, the middle chapters generally have more PNMs at pref night and are more likely to get PNMs to try out and stick with their "second choice" chapters. I am fine with that, because it stops the most "selective" chapters from really pulling away from the pack.

That's how I've seen it play out, anyway.

I agree. At some schools were tiers aren't so heavily ingrained, the smallest chapters can make headway, but it may not be as rapid as a single recruitment cycle.

[SC2013]

Originally Posted by 33girl

No no no no no. That's not how it works.

You did not get "shoved out" of Joan because there were girls who didn't get Rachel or Trudy or whoever. I think the way your Rho Chi told you was a little misleading. She should have said: if you are INVITED BACK by only one house, you are assured of a bid to that house. The way you put it makes it sound like she was saying "well if you would have blown off going to Peggy, Joan would have offered you a bid." That's not how it works. That would have gotten you kicked out of rush with no chance of any bid to anything.

Also, you were not high up enough on Joan's bid list to be a QA, which as vp said you would have been eligible for ONLY by putting down both groups. Basically you put down Peggy not because you could ever see yourself there, but because you thought it would help you get Joan.

I definitely think you made the correct choice in declining your bid.

Yes, I wrote my post a little hastily and didn't word it properly, but I definitely knew that we were guaranteed bids if we went to Pref, but we were guaranteed A bid, not our #1 choice or anything. Only IF you are invited back to a single house for Pref, then since you're guaranteed a bid if you go to Pref then naturally you are guaranteed a bid to that one house you were invited to. It doesn't mean "well I got two houses, I guess I'll just show up to one and I'll be set!" or anything, and Panhel was clear to state that which is great.

And I know a girl who blew off a House Tour and got kicked out of rush last year, and this year Panhellenic girls were also very sure to emphasize that you must go back to all parties you are invited to (unless you received a bid from them last year, in which case you are not obligated to go back if you're re-rushing unless you want to).

[SC2013]

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by SC2013

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

eloquently and succinctly stated!

[arrowlady]

Originally Posted by SC2013

-Letters of rec/resume: one that gives good insight to your interests and personality (not "She was in the National Honor Society. She is smart. She is pretty. She...") will make it way easier for each sorority to set you up with a girl that you'll get along with. The letter itself puts you on their radar just slightly (compared to most girls out of 1000s that don't get letters), and you're more likely to like their house based on talking to a girl you get along with. More importantly, the girl rushing you will probably be more likely to think you're a good fit for the house, and hopefully prevent you from being cut after the first round at the very least.

-Legacy status: while some houses value this more than others, if you don't get along with the girls, or they don't want you back, why would you want to be in this house? Your mom's/sister's/great-aunt's chapter is probably completely different anyways. Even if she graduated from the same chapter, years later it's probably going to be different. (I guess if your sister is a current active at your current chapter, that's a different story.)

-Appearance: Yes, it's fun to go rush shopping. Yes, it's fun to get ready with your girlfriends. Yes, it makes a great first impression and shows you care about your recruitment. But that's it. Seriously. And that's a good thing! Who wants to be in a house where they're ALWAYS dressed up to the 9s and you can't ever walk around the sorority house without makeup? Nobody...which is why no houses are like this. Show your individuality (unless you're in the South, I guess ), wear something comfortable (nothing's worse than being distracted by your clothes while trying to have a conversation, especially a rush conversation), and then forget about the whole clothes thing after you head out the door. Focus on connections, not consumerism.



Basically, all the superficial qualities about you (looks, high school achievements, who you're related to) are great starters to pique a sorority's interest in you. But the things that REALLY matter, the je ne sais quoi of how you'll know the sorority's right for you, and how they'll know you'll be a great sister, can only be figured out by the recruitment process, by conversations and questions, by hashing out how well you like them in comparison to others, and them with you.

I am printing this off for my daughter when it is her turn to go through recruitment! Very well stated!

[ellebud]

You are correct.

[kaeb]

I don't think this was ever updated (seeing as the last post is from January 2011), but SC2013 is now one of my best friends and a member of my chapter! We all adore her to pieces

[holiday]

Which chapter? Joan????

[ellebud]

Originally Posted by holiday

Which chapter? Joan????

No, not Joan. I will let the ladies from that chapter claim her. One chapter did informal recruitment.

Congratulations!

[kaeb]

I hope I'm not stepping on her territory by revealing this, but she told me she hasn't been on here in ages, so I think it's fine. MelindaWarren and I are proud to call her a sister of Sigma Delta Tau!

[AGDAlum]

Originally Posted by kaeb

I hope I'm not stepping on her territory by revealing this, but she told me she hasn't been on here in ages, so I think it's fine. MelindaWarren and I are proud to call her a sister of Sigma Delta Tau!

Now that I have read the entire thread I've just got to know which character SDT is!!!