<p>I know there's a thread about sororities and stuff but it doesn't go much below the surface and rankings, and I just wanted to know if anybody can tell me anything about theta at vandy cuz I"m a legacy and I think that's where I want to rush and everything</p>
<p>They have a really good reputation. Lots of pretty blonde girls. Some consider them snobby. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re in because you’re a legacy–ultimately that means very little. I know at least half a dozen girls who were cut from the houses where they were legacies this year.</p>
<p>I’m completely ignorant about where sororities rank at Vanderbilt or elsewhere, but I’ve heard many times that Theta is considered one of the most prestigious and selective houses at Vandy. This year I had the opportunity to learn more about the recruitment process, and I found out that being a legacy is no longer equivalent to an automatic admit (if it ever was). Apparently it helps, and should result in being invited back to a house after the first round, but after that - not really. Have you checked out “GreekChat.com”? It’s a kind of intriguing website with scads of information about rushing, chapters at individual school, etc. This is what I’ve gleaned from reading it:</p>
<p>At SEC schools, sorority recruitment is intense and highly competitive. There will be disappointed girls, sometimes lots of them.</p>
<p>Alumnae recommendations are still important at SEC schools, and they aren’t a bad idea anywhere. Like being a legacy, having recommendations for a particular sorority should result in being invited back after the first round - which gives you a second opportunity to interact with members.</p>
<p>There are a few ways to guarantee you won’t be invited back. Vandy has delayed recruitment, so earning a bad reputation during first semester is not the way to go. I’ve been told this includes: hooking up with sorority members’ boyfriends; public drunkenness, especially at frat parties; being overheard putting down other sororities or telling everyone you know that you’re in at Theta (or wherever) because you’re a legacy or all the members just love you, or whatever. (In other words, exercise discretion.)</p>
<p>And watch those Facebook pictures, because the people who evaluate you certainly do.</p>
<p>I realize this doesn’t answer your specific question - sorry! 
But hope it’s helpful, anyway.</p>
<p>haha thanks :)</p>
<p>They’re one of the better sororities. You’ll only get in with the applicable letters of recommendation all ready to go before you come to campus.</p>
<p>Why are the recs needed before school? Isn’t some time in the fall good enough?</p>
<p>They say the sooner after you’re born, the better.</p>
<p>If you can it is best to get the recs in late summer/ early fall. You will need recs for some of the sororities and definitely Theta. Thetas are great, by the way.</p>
<p>theta is definitely a great house at vandy but i just want to remind you to keep an open mind during rush. a lot of people’s favourite houses change a lot during the week and legacy or not, you should go where you fit in and will be happiest!</p>
<p>Be a KA groupie.</p>
<p>VandySAE: I wish you were joking in post #7, but I gather you are not…I guess each school is different in terms of legacies, but that is the extreme, don’t you think?</p>
<p>I was joking. The better sororities at pretty much every SEC school continue to be the better sororities partly because the girls that know to get their recommendations in during the summer are the type of girls that the sororities want. I’m sure early fall is just as good though. It’s just part of the culture, I guess. Sometimes people forget that while we’re all pretty damn good at advanced financial modeling or embryonic research, Vandy is in fact an SEC school and that’s pretty obvious in more ways than one, such as the Greek system.</p>
<p>edit: Each sorority, not school, is different in terms of legacies. I bet the good sororities at Rollins, Duke (I know they are), or Stanford are the same way. I don’t think you would really lose a lot by neglecting a recommendation for DG @ Vandy, for example.</p>
<p>Who is supposed to write your letters of recomendation for sororities if you dont have relatives that were in that sorority previously?</p>
<p>It doesn’t have to be a relative. It can be a friend,or a friend of a friend…they really don’t care. If they really like you and they don’t have a rec on you, they will get one. That being said, it is nice if they know you are coming through rush in advance. </p>
<p>If you need any help, PM me.</p>
<p>Easy, there! I was enjoying my morning coffee until I found this thread. Ah, the angst I am reliving–and it was only 27 years ago (back when a 30 ACT got you a scholarship and tuition was only 8500 anyway). My mom had been president of Tri-Delt and I was unceremoniously cut by them before pref rounds. I had studied too hard first semester and didn’t take seriously the fall rush dates we were expected to accept. Also, I was from a small town and seriously lacking in savvy about the process. </p>
<p>A particular post above is accurate, in my estimation; the girls the sororities tend to want are surrounded by a community which sees to it that all recs are in place by August. Or the girls formed their de facto pledge classes at boarding school and summer camp years previously. Or (let’s face it), they are so gorgeous and socially polished that somebody will indeed move heaven and earth to find a rec for them.</p>
<p>On the other hand, that was 1985. For all I know they recruit at Star Wars conventions now. </p>
<p>Keep perspective. My husband and friends scored bids to those fraternities and sororities, and, really, who can even remember which ones? Life has happened by now, we’ve all had sick children, we’ve seen gravity in all forms. I remember the frat scene only when I’m cleaning out my husband’s bureau and sort through his Hell’s Angels t-shirts. </p>
<p>Good luck at VU. If you got in, you’re on the ball!</p>