<p>I am interested in rushing/pledging a sorority but I've heard that it's really difficult to join! Apparently they're very selective about it and some people have to go through rush a couple times before finally landing a bid in their sophomore or even junior year... Is that true? I want to join one but I don't want to not get bids! How difficult is it to join a sorority?</p>
<p>it depends on how selective you are! if you go through the rush process and go to 2 houses on preference day, you will get a bid no matter what. it is very rare for a girl not to get a bid at all, but it may not be from a house she had originally wanted to join. certain houses are much more selective than others, but re-rushing as a sophomore rarely helps a girl get a bid from a house that dropped her as a freshman. you should still go through recruitment and just be yourself and you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a bid from somewhere!</p>
<p>How much does it cost to be in a sorority? Like all the rushing fees and the sign up fees, etc?</p>
<p>it varies by house! your recruitment counselor can show you a list of the dues and live-in costs for each sorority, and they usually range somewhere between 1000 and 3000. but also keep in mind that there will be many other costs that come up throughout the year, such as buying tshirts and other sorority gear, paying for certain events, buying gifts for people, etc. most houses have some scholarship money, but it is very difficult to avoid most of these costs.</p>
<p>Greek community has some serious damage control to do as of late.</p>
<p>Just wondering how important are recommendation letters? I’ve been reading forums and apparently at USC they’re a MUST if you want to join a sorority… I don’t know who I would ask for recs because I’m an international/don’t really know any Greeks</p>
<p>You can meet/ask any local alumni to write one for you. I wouldn’t say they are a MUST, but they do help your chances during rush, especially for the top four houses (at least those that are considered the top four).</p>
<p>How do I meet these local alumnae? I’m an international student and honestly don’t know much about Greek life at all. I really want to land a bid somewhere but I’m scared I won’t get anything without rec letters! What kind of things are included in the rec letters?</p>
<p>I could use a little help over here! I’ve been searching the internet for more information about how fraternities work but honestly, I don’t understand it.</p>
<p>So let’s say I get a bid. Does that mean I’m in the fraternity or does this cue the start of hazing? And this hazing thing… Do they make you go nude or physically abuse you and stuff? I know this varies from house to house and descriptions I’ve read involving drinking and pulling pranks sound acceptable to me (though I’d much rather not drink any alcohol =/) , but there is a fine line I’m not willing to cross. Would I be able to quit at any time?</p>
<p>Also, I’m concerned that being in a fraternity will be a very expensive affair. When do I start paying dues, and where does all the money go? Should I choose not to stay in the fraternity house, would I have to pay lower dues? I’m getting the impression that fraternities are more for the financially well-off.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time. I hope I’ve got the terminology right!</p>
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<p>The frat rushing process is a lot different that sororities. It lasts a lot longer and is more open-ended in the beginning.</p>
<p>Whereas sororities weed through people within the span of several hours, frats weed out people over the course of several weeks.</p>
<p>During rush week, the frats open their doors to everyone; usually, during the rest of the year, frat parties are exclusively for the guys in the house and their personally-invited male friends. (All girls get in to parties regardless, for obvious reasons.) In this open rush period, you can go from house to house during parties until you find you that you seems interested in. The guys in the frat aggressively and openly talk to “recruits” at these parties – they ask a lot about you, so be prepared!</p>
<p>If/when you find a house you like after bouncing around for a few days, you keep going back and make it known that you’re interested in joining the house. The guys debate you (yes, for HOURS sometimes) before formally accepting a select few to become “official pledges.” Accepting/rejecting recruits for pledge spots is an intense process, I’ll tell you that.</p>
<p>I personally loved pledge period, from being a frat girlfriend. Simply put, when you’re a pledge, you are the “[euphemism for female dog]” to the guys in the house. Whenever you are asked to do something, you HAVE to do it, no matter the time of day, or the request. I’ll openly admit my boyfriend and I took advantage of this as much as possible and had pledges bring us food at odd hours of the day, run errands for us – and one time, a pledge even brought me breakfast to my 10am class at my boyfriend’s request. </p>
<p>The tasks do get more bizarre, and some are not safe for the board. My boyfriend one time made the pledge who eventually because his “Little Bro” stand on the wall outside the frat house for 12 hours. I don’t know why…</p>
<p>If you pass the pledge period, then the down and dirty begins – but I can’t share much info. If you pass, then you are initiated and…voila.</p>
<p>I know my rundown does miss some things; I can’t tell you EVERYTHING. I’m in a unique position because I know a little too much secret stuff about rushing a frat at USC as I was essentially an “honorary” member of my boyfriend’s frat because I’m more of a “guy’s girl” anyway…The guys in the house let me see/do a lot of things most frat GFs don’t get to. (I actually played a big part in talking to recruits one year, and helped weed out some guys…) If I could have joined, I really would have. I still think I should have gotten my own paddle and picture in the yearly lineup. Hehe.</p>
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<p>Um, unless you want to join the Christian frat, you will have to drink. A lot. Especially as a pledge. That’s just part of the process. Frats at USC = drinking. I’d reconsider rushing if this is your case…</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, being financially well-off and the Greek system at USC goes hand in hand. Being in a frat or sorority is VERY expensive. Dues go to parties, shirts, events (like invites) and house maintenance/food. (You get to eat at your frat house/sorority house when you are inducted and don’t have to go to the dining halls.)</p>