orientation

AGREED. Do NOT try and meet actives during orientation. We know what you're up to and it seems odd when a girl isn't enjoying her one and only college orientation

I will nearly be 21 at this time too. I turn 21 a month later. Could I still go to the bars if they allow people under 21 to go? I wanted to do this to meet new people.

I think I am just going to stick with the girls in my orientation group. That seems to be my best bet. I'm sure there will be more girls who want to be a part of sorority there. I don't want my intentions to be taken the wrong way and get blackballed. Whatever happens, happens.

Especially about making friends at orientation. It sounds wrong and awful, but actives do listen to PNMs they know about other girls. Now we're not going to girls we know and ask "Hey, tell me about that girl." the convo starts with the PNM. They would say, "I know her she's really cool/weird/funny/smart/etc." after seeing her on the campus or something like that.
The thing that @Okay... said that really is true is that PNMs really do need to meet girls in their class. Not just because they could have connections and help you out, they really do become a part of your life (little and big ways) your freshman year. They might be your future sorority sister, the girl down the hall, you might have classes with her, and she might be your best friend. Focus on that, you can make connections later.

I met my best friend at orientation. We both pledged different sororities, but through it all we remained best friends. I am closer with her than any of my pledge sisters!

^ See? That's what I'm talking about!! Make friends, stop worrying about sorority when you can meet your soon to be best friend!

so basically when fall starts at Ole Miss, I just need to make a ton of friends with PNMs who can introduce me to actives and meet actives in my classes and at social gatherings? That is what I am getting from this

and I wasn't planning in seeing a girl wearing a Tri Delt shirt and just running up to her and be like "save me" lol but I can see how people could think that. I should have worded my question better.

I just want to know, like if I go to the Square where is a good hang out spot where people meet and such, (that I can go to with my friend who is coming to support me.) I feel like that would be my best option on where to meet girls from other sororities in a non weird way.

Okay, I wouldn't really say "find girls with connections and befriend them to get in a sorority", but you got the right idea. PNMs who have connections might not tell you or it might not even come up, so don't get your hopes up.

I recommend you go to the Corner or the Levee. Those are the only bars that will take kids who are 18. If you have a fake, I don't think you should use it just in case. The square won't be crowded enough for you to slide by easily.

I'm going to tell you this honestly, I'm sorry if this sounds mean:
There is no way there are going to be public parties this summer. The frat houses are closed and if there were parties they would be in someone's apartment/house and they would not invite you unless they knew you or if you know someone who's going. Look at the posts above you. Girls are either too busy with work/school and I doubt they will have a party. If you meet a girl at orientation who has a friend who's having a get together, go ahead, but I'm doubtful with that.

okay! and that didn't sound mean at all! thank you for your input

Good, I'm glad you took it well.

i was talking about after orientation. We are staying for a few extra days to get a good feel for the school. So while I was there, I wanted to meet people, etc.

Uh.....WTF!!! Taking the sorority recruitment process as a competition is awful. It's about sisterhood and its not meant to be a cutthroat competition, which is what you're making it seem like. Please STOP obbsessing over meeting actives or not. Everything happens for a reason and you need to take a step back.

It is not secret that rush at Ole Miss is competitive. What I meant by that was just trying to put my best foot forward, so when something does happen, I know I gave it my all. Getting a bid and going through rush isn't easy. You really need to relax and not be so rude. A lot of PNM's feel the SAME WAY as I do. That is why we come on here to seek advice on what to do.

I am coming next year and I want make life long friends and help each other during our first year, not compete . The actives will see you for what you are and it is girls like you that turns me off. I have connections to 4 of the 6 top houses and I'm trying to tell the actives about my roommate and other PMNS that I have meet and they are doing the same for me. That is how you make friends !!!

Okay. I think it is clear some people took it the wrong way. I am not trying "compete" with the other girls. I have no connections being from out-of-state. I haven't spent much time in MS but I visited Ole Miss and fell in love with school.
Trust me, if I had connections I would be helping my fellow PNMs left and right. I'm just trying to figure out how most people get their connections, so I can have a successful rush. When I say a successful rush, I don't mean just getting into the top houses. I mean getting into a house where I can form a strong sisterhood with the actives. That's it. I'm not trying to "beat" the other girls especially when they have WAY better chance at me.
I want to join a sorority to make life long friends too.

I should have worded what I was trying to say better. I apologize for any confusion. I didn't come here to start a fight, sound rude, or sound like I am trying to outdo other girls. I came here seeking advice on how to meet actives and now I know. Once again, I'm sorry.

It's good you clarified your intentions. Just take everything one step at time and make sure your recs and such are mailed in soon if you haven't done it.

If you have a good grades and a good resume, you should probably go somewhere, it may not be your favorite house. You don't have time to be upset if you don't get the house you want during rush. You can get cut for numerous amounts of reasons. With that being said, you never know who you are going to meet and who will bat for you. Just keep an open mind and remember all the sororities here have something to offer.

just to be clear, nobody is your friend and nobody is your enemy during rush. I would be super polite to everyone but don't get too close with anyone. some people may act like they are your friend only to screw you over in the end. this happened to a friend of mine this year. i also don't recommend overly helping your "fellow pnm's" sure you can introduce them to the actives you know, but trying to secure them a bid and bringing them with you to everything you're invited to is a little too much. if the actives don't like your friend, but are under the impression that you think you need to be in the same sorority, both of you may be cut. to be blunt and honest, everyone should be focusing on themselves not your buddies.

Seriously??? You are strategizing?? What is this? World War II?

Definitely! I'm really excited to make new friends at Orientation! I'm really excited for football season!

do actives ever do orientations or no?

Unless things have changed, yes actives are orientation leaders but they disaffiliate from their sororities so you aren't supposed to know which sorority they are in.

Some might tell you, but they are not supposed to.

My orientation leader wore a necklace with an anchor on it. Wasn't too hard to figure out her sorority!

They're not supposed to, but when actives are orientation leaders they do take note of girls they like. It's human nature to take up favorites and it's girl nature to talk about those favorites or the ones they don't like.
My orientation leader had a BFF in my sorority and she apparently told her friend about me. It's small, but hey I got noticed and a bid. They do talk.