sorority rush

It all just depends, there is no set formula or way to determine if you will get a bid or not. There are now 21 sororities (and possibly a 22nd coming in the fall) so it is getting a little easier. However, there is lots of competition for the "top" sororities, but I honestly think it is what you make of it. A lot of the girls who didn't get bids was because of grades. The minimum GPA is a 2.7, but you will get dropped from a lot of the sororities if you don't have at least a 3.0. it is based on your first semester grades so make those a priority when you get to college. Another thing that could help you is getting recommendations. Anyone you know that was in a sorority can write you a rec. It does not really affect your chances of getting a bid, but it does allow the sororities to know who you are and invite you to pre-rush events. All the best and don't stress about it, if its meant to be, it will be.

The reality of rushing at IU is over half the girls do not get bids. Many of these girls are outstanding women and would be vital to the IU Greek community. It is sad with so many young women wanting to be actively involved in this time of social awareness are turned away on the basis of how many beds are available. This is a travesty IU...overhaul your system!

This issue is that IU is the only school in the country to use a bed quota system and that many chapters restrict or do not encourage senior live-outs. Unfortunately it is simply math--fewer beds, fewer opportunities. The system does need to change; IU has too many PNM's get all the way through to 3 party only to end up with no bids. Even the SEC and the ACC schools have better outcomes. Greek life SHOULD NOT be exclusive--there should be a place for everyone who meets recruitment criteria. The two new un-housed chapters (both with successful recruitments so far) are helping a bit, but not enough to make a significant difference. Good luck to all!

Selectivity does not equal exclusivity. Every house has " standards" and " criteria" ( most completely subjective I would add), that does not mean there should not be a place for those who have the academic, philanthropic, and activity focused drive to participate and find a fit sonewhere. Yes, there will always be disappointment inherent in the process, but as the poster above makes the point, there are ways to improve it. Other campus Panhels set totals for chapters so that they do not become overwhelming large. In addition, these houses need to allow, encourage, even require senior live-outs. Thirdly, national chapters, and national panhel need to be involved and supportive about leveling the playing field. Lastly, there are only 26 national chapters in total. One ( the largest) is very resistant to returning and thr remaining four may not have the required financial support needed to establish on a campus the size of IU. Adding additionsl chapters will not solve the problem-- it is incumbent upon IU Panhellenic and the individual and national chapters to be willing to let the system continue to evolve.

Woah Mom's get a grip. When you went to college yes legacies meant something. Now they don't. There are so many legacies at houses. When I was at IU, we typically had 30 legacies going through and we would take a pledge class of 45 so we would typically take 2-3 legacies.

I'm active with an alumnae group that helps PNMs secure recommendations. Most of the girls we work with rush at SEC schools and we see the same issue with legacies year after year. SO many are released by their legacy chapters, and some are double and triple legacies. Last year, we had a legacy whose mother was president of her sorority's alumnae group over a huge metropolitan area--- the daughter got released right before pref. I know of one released legacy whose great-grandmother had been a FOUNDING member! It's disheartening for those of us who come from an era when legacies were rarely cut. I mean, she pretty much had to have a felony record. It is disappointing to see so many PNMs not get to carry on their family's affiliation with a sorority.

In the SEC, the major problem is sheer numbers. A few years ago, one Ole Miss chapter had enough legacies coming through recruitment to fill their pledge class three times over. A record number of young women are going through recruitment these days -- and they're a generation with a larger number who have educated mothers. In my day, it was about 50/50 as to whose mothers attended 4- year schools with an opportunity for Greek Life. Now, it's more girls and more legacies competing. Different dynamics, but one thing is constant -- PNMs and the alumnae behind them feel an extra sting when a legacy chapter doesn't extend an invite. It's a hard reality, though, and PNMs need to know that legacy status guarantees nothing.

First this is an IU thread-while SEC recruitment is challenging, IU has a unique, ( somewhat riduculous) and even more competitive approach given the limited number of slots in each house and the much smaller sizes of each chapter due to individually set quotas. Secondly re legacies, chapters at IU do not routinely release young women just because they are legacied at another chapter. In fact, that most often does not even enter the conversation until 3 party. It is courteous to release legacies from your own house early on if they are going to be released- usually after 14 party. That gives the PNM a chance to regroup ( if that house was a top pick for her) and move forward.

Recs are nice, but not essential at IU. Many, many PNM's have no recs and no connections.

Thanks for the info. I'm sure future IU PNMs will be glad to see that. I wish the recs weren't such a big deal at most of the schools I deal with. I don't mind doing them, but they sure add to the pre-recruitment stress for PNMs (and a lot of moms).

This is Another discussion (link here) had many many people who recently went thru this and many useful suggestions. Go way to the bottom for recent 2013

Sorority Recruitment at Indiana University ? Bloomington | Sorority ...
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Jan 17, 2011 ? There are MANY NPC sororities that would like to join the IU sorority system but the limited land on which to build houses (and at IU they're not ...