<p>My current college doesn't have Greek life, but I might be interested in joining a sorority at Vandy. I read what the Vanderbilt Web site has to say about them, but I'd like to ask questions to people who have firsthand experience.</p>
<p>What exactly is bidding based on? I read the "Best Sororities" thread. Is admission based on looks?</p>
<p>Also, I read that a minority student wouldn't have as good a chance as a white student of getting accepted. Is this true?</p>
<p>Depending on the sorority, probably.</p>
<p>Zooey, no one can honestly tell you the answers to your questions. So much is dependent on the girl who is rushing and her personality, experiences, value system, etc. What is good for one girl may not be good for another. What one person may see as racism in a group may be viewed by another as a simple case of no one really knowing the girl well enough to extend a bid. I pledged a sorority in college, but I would not have done so at Vanderbilt; the greek system there isn't my cup of tea. It may very well be something that appeals to you, though, and the only way to know is to go through rush. Let me warn you, though, that feelings can get hurt in rush ... if a girl wants to pledge a house & doesn't get a bid, it can be very difficult. Please make sure you realize that going in ... and know that because there is a cap on the number of bids that can be extended, it may be that some girls who are well liked by a sorority may not get a bid simply due to too many great girls. In other words, no bid doesn't always mean they don't like you (but it feels that way ... I know, because I didn't get a bid from my sorority the first time I rushed).</p>
<p>My understanding is that there will be some small changes in how the rush process is handled due to the new housing arrangements in The Commons. Anyone interested in rush should participate in the fall rush activities, even though they are optional. The other thing you should be aware of is that while there are a number of factors involved in the cutting process, grades are very important. Many times the national chapter has higher expectations for the house than Vanderbilt's Greek Life office. I know of several situations where grades were a factor in the process. </p>
<p>As for minorities, I know of several situations where minority women have chosen Panhellenic houses over the chapters that are traditionally populated by minority students. Although my knowledge is based on casual conversation with D last fall, I believe that one of these young women just completed a term on the leadership council of her house.</p>
<p>yea...i'm not being racist but the bottom line is:</p>
<p>there are plenty of white girls that sorority leaders "want"
there are plenty of white girls they dont want
there are plenty of minority girls that sorority leaders want
there are plenty of minority girls that sorority leaders dont want</p>
<p>it all just depends!</p>