"can i get a bid if...."

Lots of questions lately about various backgrounds and how that affects someone's ability to get into a house. Here's the questions I keep seeing.

"Can I get a bid if..."

1) I have no connections.
2) I'm from a minority background.
3) I'm a full-figured girl
4) I'm not a legacy
5) I'm a sophomore or junior
6) I'm from OOS or OOR
7) My grades aren't great
8) I'm a legacy, but not an OM legacy.
9) I'm shy and introverted.

The answer to most of those descriptions is yes, you can get a bid. Here's the breakdown as I see it.

1) No connections? Top tier houses cut on no connections (with a few exceptions), but most mid-tier and all lower tier houses don't. If you have a great resume - grades, activities, are personable and "rush well", you can get a bid if you take every invitation you get, keep an open mind, etc.
2) Minority background: Many houses, including some top tier, have members from minority backgrounds.
3) I'm full-figured. Yes, there are girls in houses on the full-figured side.
4) Not a legacy. Not a problem.
5) I'm a sophomore or junior. This one's tough - it's a challenge to get a bid as a sophomore, but some houses are open to that. As for juniors? I think this is really tough so you need to know that your options could be very reduced.
6) OOS or OOR - not a problem, every house has OOS/OOR girls. Usually the most OOS/OOR (especially OOR) girls are in lower-tier houses since they have no connections. And there are great girls in every house, including "lower tier", so don't worry, plenty of great options.
7) My grades aren't great. This will get you cut by many houses, depending on how poor they are. If they're borderline (per house requirements) you'll need connections and then some. There are some houses that will take a grade risk, but this can/will reduce your options depending on how low they are.
8) I'm a legacy, but not from OM. Don't worry, there can be a house for you, but might not be your legacy house (usually if it's top tier). Best to look at every single house anyway - it might be great to pledge your legacy house, but only if it's a real fit.
9) I'm shy and introverted. Not every member is extroverted, so you can be introverted but not to the point of being really socially awkward and unable to carry a good conversations during parties to get to know members and for them to get to know you. If you're that shy, practice having conversations with strangers (like in line at Starbucks, etc.) to help get comfortable with talking with people you don't know.

So you can find a home with one or two exceptions as detailed above. I wish everyone a great rush and that you find your home here!