<p>Rockingchair, my D is the only student from her HS to ever attend Vandy, did not know one person at Vanderbilt when she walked onto the campus last summer, and was not a legacy. She had one aunt write a letter and asked some of her friends mom’s to write her letters. She was offered bids and joined a sorority with students from all over the country from FL, to IL, to TN, to NY, to CA, to VA. The students could care less where someone is from. She is VERY happy with greek life and has met many super students in the process. Greek life has offered her academic support, leadership opportunities, community services events, business networking, fun social events and help her start lifelong friendships. It’s a nice option for students to have while attending Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>My D’s best friends, who are in a variety of sororities, are from New York, Boston, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., etc. There is no bias–either in the Greek system or at the school in general–in favor of girls from the south or against girls from other places.</p>
<p>My D got recs mostly from my friends. I wasn’t in a sorority, but I asked many of my friends and coworkers who had been in sororities if they could write a rec for her. Even though most had never met her, I sent them her activities resume (the one she used for college applications), and they were happy to help. She also asked the mothers of some of her friends, and she got a few recs that way, too.</p>
<p>thanks for all of the replies! So, it sounds like if my daughter ends up at Vanderbilt she won’t be the ONLY one who has absolutely no sorority connections to draw on for references (via relatives, friends,or parents’ co-workers)–but she will be in a distinct minority. Yet this won’t be a big obstacle in her ability to join a sorority if she decides to pursue Greek life. Is that correct?</p>
<p>If a sorority really wants her for other reasons, no, it won’t be a big obstacle. But the importance of recs should not be discounted. Your hometown may have a Panhellenic association &/or sorority alumnae chapters that could help with recs. Ask EVERY woman you & your daughter know; you will be surprised to discover Greek affiliations you would not have guessed.</p>
<p>Rockingchair, I’m not privy to the selection process but believe the BIG obstacles are: a low GPA, dating a sisters boyfriend, doing something dumb first semester that reflects poorly on you, not following rush protocol. These should be easy to avoid. As above, just ask around for rec’s.</p>
<p>No, sorry, actives cannot write recs but they can certainly get in touch with the chapter at Vanderbilt and let them know about you! Send in recs anytime, but the sooner the better-- then you don’t want to have to worry about it during the craziness of fall semester. As for fall rounds-- well, I’m confident that Greek Life considers it mandatory no matter what anyone else says, but even if they weren’t, you would be crazy not to go!! It’s such a great opportunity to meet sisters and get your first impression of each chapter, as well as have a sort of “trial run” of recruitment proceedings!</p>
<p>All of the comments here are accurate. If your daughter is wanted by a sorority, it will not matter if she has recommendations or not. The sorority will find letters for her if they are needed. While letters may help a house get an introduction to your daughter if they have not met her, if she is disliked by a house, letters will not be able to save her. </p>
<p>Fall Rounds is probably best looked at in the same way- houses see it as a way to meet new girls and speak more to girls they have already met. It’s definitely helpful for freshmen as well to see exactly what will be happening in recruitment (with the exception of all the stress).</p>
<p>Absolutely true plus things are not like they used to be regarding sororities. So much diversity in the sororities which is a great thing so letters are sort of a thing of the past. In the old days it was really a letter of introduction to prove you were the right kind of person now the right kind of person with a letter is an antiquated concept even at Vandy.</p>
<p>Every sorority is different though. Some allow an active member at another university to write a rec. Don’t forget that if you have a sister in a sorority, you are a legacy. You will want to make sure the same sorority at Vandy knows that.</p>
Bumping this conversation.
@Living61 - Why are you bumping this conversation? It is 2 years old.
Well, I don’t know why this was bumped but I’ll take the opportunity to offer an update. My daughter ended up going to Vanderbilt! And joined a sorority! (fyi: She did not need letters of rec.) She is extremely happy at Vanderbilt. She has friends both within and outside of her sorority. It seems the sorority is like a club–just one of her many extra-curricular activities. And, yes, Vanderbilt is very much a national school rather than a regional one. Her friends are from all areas of the US. The school seems to attract exceptionally bright kids who are also social. Bottom line: she is so grateful that Vandy chose her–and that she chose Vandy.
Thanks @rockingchair . I bumped it to ask a question. I understand rush has changed quite a bit from when this conversation was started 2 years ago. Does anyone know how many girls went through rush in January 2014?