I’m an incoming sophomore transfer, and I’m very confused about the process of joining or “rushing” and how sororities work. I know that sororities are like groups of girls who consider each other “sisters”. I believe there’s a big and little sister system as well? And that you have to talk to different sororities and they choose you by inviting you?
I was wondering:
- How the whole “rushing” process works, I’m not sure if I have the steps and details down. I heard about letters of rec but again, I’m confused.
- So do sororities communicate with each other to make sure that they don’t ‘invite’ the same girl? Or are there instances where more than one sorority can choose you, and you get to choose who to join?
- What are ‘chapters’ exactly?
- Besides each sorority’s philosophies and community work, how else would I know if I’m the ‘right fit’ for one?
- How much time do I need to commit as a member? I would also be working and joining other clubs, so I’m not sure if I could handle everything.
- Is there pressure to party? I haven’t been to one before, and I don’t think I would particularly enjoy partying frequently. I would much rather prefer spending quality time with potential sisters doing things other than partying.
*7. Most importantly, I’m a low income student. I feel very pressured by all the costs I heard about sororities. From what I’ve heard, most USC sorority members are middle to upper class girls (of course not all of them). How would I be able to afford the costs? I’m going to work, but I don’t want to loan any more than the financial aid package says. My parents cannot contribute, so I’m on my own.
- Is it weird for a sophomore transfer to rush? It seems freshmen mostly rush.
- Is it worth all the costs?
I know these are A LOT of questions, but I just want to make up my mind before I come in the fall.
My wife was in a sorority. She said it was a huge time suck and her grades suffered. Proceed at your own risk.
Oh, no its all about inviting the same girl so that they can compete for that girl’s acceptance. The girl is also trying to get the different sororities to like her and choose her so she has multiple options. Its sort of like trying to get multiple boys to invite you to the prom. Some girls will get no bids (invites) and feel really bad about themselves. Then the chosen girls get to pay a lot of money to be in. Some consider this buying friends and a social clique that one gets to claim for life. Above all you get to buy sweatshirts and things with Greek letters on to wear around campus and in life to shout that you belong and have purchased friends/sisters. Then one day the girl is a mother who encourages her own daughter to go through this whole process all over again so that not only are they mother and daughter, but sisters too. I think there were some movies in the 80s made about all this.
Seriously, other posters do not need to school me in the benefits of sorority life. Obviously much of my post is in jest but the previous poster said it in a much more polite way, “proceed at your own risk.”
There are real benefits to sororities, and USC has enough that you can find one where you feel comfortable. However, it will increase your costs by at least $2000 per year, above what you pay in housing and food. If this is unmanageable, there are many other social outlets at USC such that you should not regret passing on sororities.
- Rushing from what I've been told is your commitment to the application process to get into that sorority. (you typically have to dedicate a quarter so try to rush during an easier quarter if possible). You just do a lot of different events with your sorority.
- So do sororities communicate. No.
You can get several 'offerings' from various sororities. it'll be up to you to decide which one you want to rush for.
- What are 'chapters' exactly? from what I was able to search up it sounds like its the college version of a franchise.
- Besides each sorority's philosophies and community work, how else would I know if I'm the 'right fit' for one?
Philanthropy is pretty important; however, your only other major influencing factors would include alumni network and your peers in that particular sorority.
- How much time do I need to commit as a member? after your rush you can commit as little or as much time as you want. your sorority will be involved in various events throughout the year. to get the most "bang for your buck" you should definitely attend it if you have the free time though
- Is there pressure to party? you can party as much or as little as you want. most of your peers will probably attend these events but I don't think they'll treat you any differently if you choose not to attend.
7/8. Is it weird for a sophomore transfer to rush? and is it worth the cost?
fresh and sophomores are the more popular rushing times! The cost typically varies by college (I have a couple friends in a Washington that are only paying ~1000)
I would say that it is worth the cost though. you get access to a lot more events, you’ll have access to a new peer group, overall I would say that it will enhance your college experience.
^^^ To clarify some points from the above post:
- USC is on the semester system actually, and Panhellenic sororities (so the classic, social sororities as opposed to multicultural ones, for example) usually only do fall rush.
- So sororities are (inter)national organizations that are not specific to any school, but instead have branches at different colleges. Such branches are called chapters.
- Not at all weird at USC, there are a lot of sophomore transfers.
- The cheapest Panhellenic sorority at USC costs $1800/semester. Multicultural ones are about $200/semester (though they can get higher/lower. someone told me they were paying $40/semester but don't quote me on that). You decide based on that.
Not in a sorority but planned on rushing before freshman year (didn’t end up–way too expensive and I realized I’m not about that life lol) and know a lot of people in Greek life.