Hi, I was thinking of rushing at SMU!! I am a DG legacy (mom) but was primarily interested in Kappa, Theta, and Pi Phi at SMU. I was wondering if the fact that I am not a legacy for any of these houses would keep me from even being considered? Also, I am from California and was wondering if that would help in any way? I also was wondering what these sororities are looking for exactly. If anyone has had a daughter rush or a you are a mom who rushed LMK! Thanks, these are just some questions :))
Hi! I do not know from experience, but I am also rushing at SMU this January and have received advice from people who rushed in the past. Legacy/Recommendation Letters are not the only things that cause you to be in consideration for a bid. They help people that do have them, but sororities, like the college process, are looking at a holistic representation of you.
Regarding your California question, about 25% of the SMU population is from California. Like I said before, it is totally a holistic process in each house and they’re just trying to get to know you and see if you would be a great recruit for their community. That said, you being from California could help if you have connections with some of the girls in a house? I have read that DGs have a lot of girls from California, but that might be just something floating around.
Regardless, you are gonna do amazing! I totally feel-- the whole process is a little overwhelming!! Have a great rest of your summer & hope to meet you in the Fall. 
Those are pretty tough bids! If you know anyone that is a current member you need to reach out.
Rushing at SMU is an amazing experience and I think that no matter what house you end up with, you will love it. Networking is the biggest tool you can use during the semester when it comes to sorority rush, since at SMU the importance of legacy status really depends on the sorority. Some houses really value legacy status while others don’t pay too much attention to it, although it will definitely make a difference in the first two rounds of recruitment since most houses will not cut a legacy on day 1. Try to make some friends with girls in different houses and see who you enjoy spending the most time with. When it comes to recruitment, here’s the most important thing: don’t drop out if you get cut from a house you wanted. Stay until bid day, run home, and give it a chance because the process works for a reason and it’s likely the house that chose you has you at the top of their list for a reason! Trust the process and I’m sure you will have a wonderful experience and wonderful sisters by the end of it.
The legacy rules are set by each house, including who is a legacy; mother, grandmother, sister are usually a yes, but cousin? aunt? stepmother? Who knows?
Go through rush with an open mind and don’t tell anyone you prefer one house over another, or that you aren’t interested in DG or that Kappa is your #1 choice. Just follow the system, accept invitations from the maximum number of house who invite you back because there is a system that helps you if you accept the max invites.
Good luck. Have fun.
Beyond the above good advice, can you get a rec letter(s) from any alums of the houses you are interested in, ideally from SMU, but doesn’t have to be?
@applicantXIX wrote:
Not quite, 2019 enrollment by state can be found here: https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2019Facts/origin_undergrad_and_first-year_2019
California - 831 students of 6519 (12.7%)