<p>I have a 3.4 GPA and 26 ACT, and I really wanna get into IU. I am just curious about fraternities. I want to join one, and I'm wondering how much they care about grades and test scores. Like would a frat cut me, not just at IU but maybe all schools, because of my GPA and 26 ACT? Also would knowing someone pretty well in a top tier frat help much? If we're like family friends, and I stayed with him, would that help a lot. I think the frat is sigma chi.</p>
<p>Some frats will pre-screen based on high school accomplishments, but for the most part it doesn’t really matter. It matters even less if you know someone important in the house.</p>
<p>If I know someone pretty well that’s an upperclassman in the house, how much does that help</p>
<p>It will help you in the sense that he can let you know everything that is going on at the house during rush week. A common question I got asked during rush was if I knew anyone in the house, so being able to say yes to that question will be helpful. </p>
<p>I know plenty of kids though who thought they were shoe-ins because they had a friend in the house, many of them didn’t get bids to those houses. I’d say it will help you move through rush, but I doubt it helps you get a bid. </p>
<p>Also, the most important person in the house during rush is the rush chair.</p>
<p>How competitive are top tier houses? How many rush and how many get bidded? How hard is it to get a bid there? Also how hard is it to get bidded at a mid tier house?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about “tiers” find a house you’ll enjoy the next four years out. Knowing someone, whether it be a friend’s older brother, parents co-worker’s son, cousin’s best friend, etc. helps a lot, no matter which frat it is. When you get to IU, start networking like crazy with fellow freshman and upperclassmen, when you get the chance to. Not just in joining a frat, but in life, the more people you know and the more connections you make the easier it will be to get a bid, job, promotion etc. A lot of times the buddies you meet early on will likely have a connection that can get you invited to parties before and during rush, and from then on out, it’s usually up to you to make a good impression on the brothers. Don’t seem to creeperish, but try to meet at least one of the rush chairs because they will determine who gets the bids. Having one of their numbers can help a lot. Don’t be afraid to be proactive in the process asking what you may think are dumb questions. This will show the brothers you’re interested in the house; don’t sit back and expect them to make all the communication. Good luck; rush is a blast. For your questions regarding # bidded and all that. I have a buddy who went to Beta’s open rush event. I heard around 700 kids attended and his pledge class is 28…so once again, having the connection helps a lot, but he didn’t so you can get a bid without a “connection” just make a good impression on the brothers. And again don’t worry about the “tiers” you could join a “top” house because it’s considered top and have a miserable time, or join a “middle” house and have a blast because that’s where you fit in the best. Another note, don’t listen to the stereotypes of frats you’ll hear early on; I encourage you to rush as many houses as possible. Good luck.</p>