<p>Hi All ! I am an OOS student from the midwest and will most likely be attending ole miss this coming fall (2011). I have alot of questions about the greek life and the rush process there. I know the rush process is much more intense and i was wondering if anyone can walk me through the process so that there is nothing i miss. I know some chapters want letters of recommendation and have questions about that.</p>
<p>Also, a big thing im slightly concerned with. As an OOS student from the midwest im worried about people taking where im from the wrong way (ex: not giving me a chance during rush due to me being from OOS). I am a really easy going person and from what i hear about the school it sounds like i would fit in well with all the stereotypes that ole miss has (very social, party, preppy kids). But i have also heard that some frats only take kids from MS or memphis.</p>
<p>I am looking for feedback from current students or recent alum. I know what frat your in has a huge effect on how much fun you have hear (ecspecially your first two years). So anything that would help me better my chances for getting a bid with the "better' frats on campus would be great !</p>
<p>and please no bashing of the greek life thing, i know it's not for everyone but its somthing i want to be a part of. By bashing it your being just as "judgemental" and stuck up as you perceive them to be so please try and keep it helpful !</p>
<p>There will be some chapters that don’t give you a second look because you aren’t from the area, but many won’t care that much. You’ll have a better chance of your questions getting answered if you post this in the Ole Miss forum. Good luck!</p>
<p>For some fraternities, you will not get a look in as you are OOS and they won’t already know you from high school/home town. Some of these houses will have their bid lists sewn up even before school starts. These will typically be the houses known as ‘top tier’.</p>
<p>However, rush is in October so this gives you plenty of time to get to know men in a variety of different houses, including those ‘top tier’ ones. Get to know the guys and rush at places where you like the people - NOT where you like their reputation. I would also advise you going to any summer rush events pre-school if they are held. If you email the rush chairmen listed on the chapter websites, this CAN be one way to get to know guys even before school starts.</p>
<p>As rush is delayed, it can be a double edged sword. Yes you can get to know a lot of the guys and see what Greek life is all about, as well as getting used to college and making friends in your dorms/classes/clubs. BUT you need to remember that fraternity men are looking at you too - so make sure you behave. You do NOT want to be known as ‘that mid west kid who leched over Mary Margaret from Alpha Chi and then threw up in the basement’… </p>
<p>Have you thought about how you’re going to fund your fraternity dues? Depending on the house and it’s social calendar, plan on anywhere from $4,000-6,000 per year just for the basic dues if you live in the house. What about that away game football weekend - plan on dropping $$$ for doing your part to get there, have fun, and pay your date’s way too. Be prepared as well for all sorts of other miscellaneous expenses incidental to this kind of life, such as formals, date parties, spring break etc.</p>
<p>Find the guys that you like, where you can contribute something to the house, and where the lifestyle of the house will fit you. There is no point trying to be Mr Southern Fratdaddy if that’s just not you and/or you can’t afford it.</p>
<p>SoccerGirlNYC,
Thanks for the info, it sounds like you know the school pretty well. I plan on going to pre-rush events in march and during the summer, which i know all the houses im interested in are having. But i have heard good and bad things about e-mailing the rush chairmen, any advice on how to go about that ?</p>
<p>As far as my conduct, i know how to act, my family is originally from MS,grandfather moved to chicago because he started a candy, insurance, and printing company (all of which you have heard of, trust me). So there will not be any culture shock or anything like that. I know how to handle myself in those type of social situations and am very used to it.</p>
<p>As far as money, if you have not already figured it out, that will be no problem and i am more than willing to shell out cash for a fun time</p>
<p>@Widdy91 - I saw where you mentioned the houses you were interested in. The people who are most successful in rush are the ones who go in with an open mind and give all the houses a fair assessment. Often, the houses you just love at the beginning lose their luster as recruitment wears on, and the not so obvious ones look a lot better with time … just sayin.</p>
<p>Footballmom104,
i only say that because i have done a fair amount of homework on a lot of the houses. the houses I’m interested in have shown first off to be in good standing with the university, involved in the community/campus and university, and are into athletics and Intramural sports. Now that i have a good idea of that during rush i can focus more on, which house i connect with most, has the most fun (parties, swaps, socials etc…), and how nice their house is. </p>
<p>But even though i have some that stood out to me i will deff keep an open mind during rush, and give every house a fair shot in my mind.</p>
<p>I am a parent but was in a SEC soroity back in the day. The one thing I would call you out on is the money angle. Not sure how it works in the Midwest, but in the South, the only people who talk about money are people that don’t have any. People in your family having money is not your talk to talk. And if you have money, you are taught to not speak about it. I live in Texas now, and I would say that is even more so here.</p>
<p>collegeshopping,
very true, i only made it clear because someone called me out on the financial commitment so i felt the need to ensure them that it would not be a problem. If you look at all my post’s that ive made on this board this is the first time money was even mentioned. Personally, i dont think money matters at all, but it has been made clear to me that it is VERY important at these type of schools. Now that i know “how it is” in the SEC , i can honestly say that money does not mean nearly as much in the mid-west college scene so forgive me if im not used to people caring this much about it.</p>
<p>hahahahahahahaha y’all obviously have not seen a little site called totalfratmove.com
its all southern people talking about how much money they have and how awesome they are. I dont know how it was in your day but modesty is no longer strong in the south, be real, and dont act like modesty is any better than all the southern fratdaddys runnin their mouths, i can tell your mindset is the same “we have money so we’re better than you” your just more fake about it.</p>
<p>re emailing the rush chairmen, I mentioned it because otherwise how will they know to invite you to anything over the summer? These invite lists are made up of HS seniors that the fraternity guys already know about through hometown/HS ties. If you are OOS, they won’t know about you to invite you. Some summer rush events will be open, but others will be private invite and the only way to get on the list is to let the rush chairmen know you’re interested.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the ‘top tier’ houses may well look down their noses at an OOS state guy emailing their rush chairmen to ask about summer rush. Like I said, you probably have a limited chance at these houses unless you are already known to them. Do you know people in fraternties already at Ole Miss?</p>
<p>this is where the ‘be open minded’ comment above came into play - don’t listen to ‘tiers’ or reputation - just make sure you like the brothers and those other guys who are attending rush events with you (chances are they will be your pledge brothers)</p>