<p>What is rush like for guys? does it take up ALL of a guy's free time during the fall? Are bids actually handed out at the end of the fall semester of someone's freshman year? That's the way it is done at a lot of places in the south and I'm just wondering if it's the same at Cornell. Do the guys have to drive actives all over creation and spend all of their free time doing errands for actives once they pledge? My son (who was a student at Vanderbilt) had to be on call for the fraternity and had to drive all night to New Orleans and things like that. Could the experience be a little more reasonable at some of the houses at Cornell?</p>
<p>My guess is that this might vary by house - just looking for some insight.</p>
<p>First-years can’t rush until their second semester I believe.</p>
<p>I know it’s “spring rush”, but at some schools that means lots of under-the-table rushing that goes on during the fall. I’ve heard some schools have fraternities that are making bid lists and decisions during the fall - although not supposed to be so.</p>
<p>OP - do you have a son or daughter going to Cornell next fall? Cornell is not like Vanderbelt, rush/pledging tend to be more low key, especially for girls. As you are aware, each house is different. I haven´t heard my daughter saying guys are off campus often. Guys are required to do pick ups and drop offs when they have mixers.</p>
<p>Yes, I do. Vanderbilt rush for girls is fair - it’s managed by Greek Life. Fraternity rush is quite the same…it’s not managed by anyone, but the 20 year old boys in the houses. I’m hoping there’s a lot of diversity among the fraternities and someone could find whatever experience they’re looking for. Am I right on that?</p>
<p>I have a brother in a fraternity in Cornell, and I too will be going to Cornell next year and plan on pledging a frat. At least from what I’ve heard, pledging does not seem to be too crazy (the school ensures that the frats have a minimum GPA so the frats don’t go overboard). In fact the average GPA for my brother’s pledge class during pledging was a 3.8 so they must have had time for work. As for getting a bid, freshmen go back to Cornell a week before 2nd semester begins and rush a fraternity then. At the end of the week, rushes get bids and decide which fraternity to pledge. hope this helped…</p>
<p>pledging at cornell probably isn’t nearly as intense as at SEC schools like vandy</p>
<p>rush is in the spring. for guys pledging takes up a LOT MORE time than for girls. girls don’t have to do anything, but might be expected to go to a certain number of mixers/events depending on the sorority. for most fraternities, they haze and guys have to do a lot of different tasks, from doing dropoffs/pickups for the girls to cleaning up after parties etc. </p>
<p>it’s a large time commitment for guys, but not nearly as intense as for southern schools like vanderbilt. it also depends a lot on the frat.</p>
<p>also most frats have pre-rush events like dinners and barbecues they invite freshman to in the fall, but i’ve only heard of a couple who really decide who they want even before rush starts, mostly the wealthier houses.</p>
<p>Thanks - that’s the information I was looking for. I appreciate your piping in!</p>