<p>Hello! I'm a soon to be college student and IU is definitely my first choice. I've visited multiple times, everything seemed so perfect and I could view myself having an amazing college experience there. However, with recent research I've heard that it's extremely difficult to get into a sorority at IU. I know that greek life isn't everything but I've always desired to join a sorority. I'm very outgoing and will keep my grades up but I definitely have my doubts. I know alumni for rec letters from other schools but nobody from IU. What do you guys suggest I do? Does anyone else have experience or words of advice? Thank you so much!</p>
<p>I’m the mom of an IU freshman daughter who went through sorority recruitment last month. If you’ve read my other posts on the IU forum, you will know that I think very highly of IU. However, in my opinion, sorority recruitment is a blemish on an otherwise wonderful university. IU sororities use a quota system that is different from every other university in the country – instead of basing quota on the number of women going through preference round, many IU sororities base quota on the number of open beds in the sorority house. The result is that the number of women going through recruitment far exceeds the number of invitations to join a sorority. A lot of women who go through recruitment and even attend several preference parties may not get a bid. I think it is important to know this going in. So given that, here are my suggestions:
• Keep an open mind when going through recruitment. You may be in love with sorority XYZ and you may think they are in love with you. If they don’t ask you back, keep an open mind about the sororities that DO ask you back.
• Keep your grades up.
• Get involved in campus activities first semester. Along with all of the other benefits of getting involved, you may have a chance to meet women in sororities. Already knowing sorority women can be a big help during recruitment.
• Keep your reputation clean.
• I don’t know how much letters of recommendation help at IU, but they can’t hurt. Letters of recommendation can come from women who attended other schools; they do not need to be IU alumni. My daughter had 4 LORs, 2 of the sororities did not ask her back to the 2nd round and the other 2 did not ask her back to preference round.
• If you are a legacy to any sorority, make sure your relative fills out a legacy form. However, know that being a legacy does NOT guarantee a bid. My daughter is a legacy of two sororities and was not asked back to either one during preference round.
• Know that you can have an active social life and a fulfilling college experience without being in a sorority.</p>
<p>P.S. After a rollercoaster of emotions during recruitment, my daughter did join a sorority, and so far she loves it!</p>
<p>Here are some other sources of information on sorority recruitment at IU:</p>
<p>IU recruitment statistics:
<a href=“http://www.iubpharecruitment.com/recruitment/statistics/”>http://www.iubpharecruitment.com/recruitment/statistics/</a></p>
<p>Very long, multi-year discussion about IU Sorority Recruitment from the National Panhellenic Conference website:
<a href=“SororityParents.com is for sale | HugeDomains”>SororityParents.com is for sale | HugeDomains;
<p>Greek life is a crapshoot at IU, and as long as you know that and are comfortable with it (not just like OMG it won’t happen to me comfortable), it’s a great opportunity. </p>
<p>Make sure to keep your reputation clean, and take any chance you can to get to know and befriend sorority women in your fall classes, intramurals, etc. That leads into getting involved, as that’s a great way to demonstrate leadership and get to know sorority women. Keep your grades up, as that is an easy way to cull numbers</p>
<p>DS3 got a bid also and will move into pledge stage. I always have the concerns that fraternity members are “judgmental” and further divide the student bodies into smaller groups based upon common social interests. But, that is his decision to make. Actually, Greek life is high on his list of reasons to come to IU. I am hopeful that he will stay focused on his other commitments while enjoying his college life.</p>
<p>good info, bookmark :)</p>