<p>Hi!!! I cannot wait to be in Chapel Hill in a few months!! I have a couple of questions regarding rush at UNC. I am out of state, from the Northeast and I definitely want to join a sorority. My mom, sister, aunts, etc. all went greek when they were in college and loved it! As an out-of-stater, I am worried about fitting into the sororities, or if sororities are closed-minded to out-of-staters. I know this could be completely wrong, but I know at some southern schools, northerners are not really welcome in the sororities. What is the rush process like, especially for out-of-staters? Any advice/info would be sooo helpful! Can't wait to be a Tarheel :)</p>
<p>I think it’s kind of the opposite. Because of the OOS cap, many OOS students are high achieving/active on campus and most of the OOS students who rush benefit from that stigma. Fraternities and sororities want high achieving members. At least that’s my experience.</p>
<p>JohnBlack is right. I rushed as a Northener and had more “success” than some of my instate peers while rushing. All sororities are definitely interested in out of staters and what they can bring to the table.</p>
<p>It is worth mentioning that however, some sororities have a reputation for taking in a lot of girls from certain areas of NC (all the ones from Charlotte, etc). Still though, I know a good number of OSS at each of those.</p>
<p>I ultimately decided being greek was not for me and ended up dropping my sorority. The system was just a little too traditionally southern for my taste. However, that is personal preference. Some of my best friends- from the north/far west- are greek and they absolutely love it.</p>
<p>My biggest piece of advice would be simply to ignore sorority reputations when rushing. I know it’s hard, but ultimately, I think that’s a big reason why ended up not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. At the end, I had the choice between a “better” one and a “middle-tier” sorority and ranked the “better” one first just because of what I heard. Maybe if you were used to the system/lifestyle picking the sorority with a “better” reputation might suit you just fine, but as someone still new to the culture I just don’t think you can afford to do that. Go with what fits you. Also, I know a lot of girls who were dead set on one sorority, got dropped, then had a terrible time the rest of rush because they didn’t even want to consider other houses. Just keep an open mind.</p>
<p>When rushing, if you get the chance to talk to out of state students (my experience was that they match girls up really well, I interacted with many northerners while rushing) ask them about the atmosphere, how they adjusted to the southern culture, differences between the two (and what they like, what they don’t like). Keep in mind they might not be completely honest about the negatives, but it’s easier to get a feel for things that way. Lastly, if you decide it might not be for you (mid-rush or even after joining), don’t feel like you have to join the greek system to have a good social life. It might feel that way at first, since many people seem to do it freshman year, but they are only 15% of the population and there are so many other ways to have fun, go out, party, whatever. Besides, if you’re like me and stay closely related to it anyway, you’ll have friends/boyfriends invite you to events and cocktails and whatnot, so it’s not like you won’t experience it at all. Just be true to yourself. I was absolutely convinced I wanted to be in a sorority when I came here. I’m glad I followed my gut rather than stuck with what I thought I should be doing. That might not be you, and if it isn’t then awesome! But if not, again, it’s not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! That was so helpful! One more thing – one of my friends is going to Alabama next fall and said something about needing letters of recommendation to get into a sorority at southern schools. She said that she needs at least four recommendations from previous sisters of the sorority. Do sororities at UNC require this as well? You guys are the best :)</p>
<p>From what I know, no you don’t need anything like that. Being a legacy or knowing current or previous sisters obviously helps a ton, but you shouldn’t need anything official.</p>
<p>You can have recs sent in, but they are not required. Each sorority’s national website should have blank recommendation forms that you can have filled in.</p>
<p>Like both posters above said, you don’t need letters of recommendation. You can have others send them in if they know you but it’s not required. I actually had my friends mom send one in, but then that sorority dropped me halfway through lol so I dunno how much weight it holds. I think they place more emphasis on you and what you can do for them rather than recommendations, so I wouldn’t worry if you don’t have any.</p>