I’m an incoming freshman planning to rush this fall, and I have a few simple questions about the process at Tech.
I know greek life isn’t as big as it is at other southern schools, but how selective is the rush process and what are the chances of getting completely dropped?
Are letters of recommendation common/necessary for all sororities?
Any other tips/helpful info regarding rush would also be appreciated!
Letters of recommendation are very common (if not required) in the south.
Have you received a PNM package from the Panhel office? It should outline what you need to do before arriving and what to wear, what to expect. It will give you the schedule, when to arrive, etc. https://www.gatechcpc.com/formal-recruitment/
If you accept the maximum number of invitations allowed in each round, you should get a bid on the last day. They have a formula that tries to find a spot for every girl and it really does work. If you don’t accept the maximum number, then you aren’t as likely to get a spot.
I know they are common in the south, but I was just wondering if they’d be a little less common at Tech since greek life isn’t nearly as big as it is at other southern schools. Also, who should I get letters from, especially if I don’t have family members that were in sororities?
You can request rec letters from the national chapters or from a local Panhel group. If you live in a city, there is likely to be a Panhel group and they can get your request out to the alum groups. I get 2-3 per summer from Panhel, but I’m not in the south. Basically, you submit a resume and they sort the information onto their form. If it is a personal rec from an alum (there is a question on the form whether it is a personal rec or from a request. The only thing it does is make sure your resume gets to the local chapter.
The website said recs aren’t required at GT, but because the PNMs are mostly from the south, they are going to submit them because their friends going to other schools are submitting them.
My national organization does all recs for southern schools from the national office. If a local alum group gets a request for a southern university, we send it to the national office. We do have a chapter at GT, so recs are being produced. I think the value of a rec from a request is minimal if you aren’t a legacy. Most of the information on the rec is going to be on your registration for rush (gpa, activities, home town).
I cant answer specifically for Tech, but you can contact your local Panhellinic office for help/advice. (If your city has one) I have seen a lot of calls out on Facebook and other social media for letters of recommendation. The PNM sends her resume to the letter-writer and they submit it either directly to the school or through their national organization. It doesn’t look like they are required at Tech, but may help. Good luck to you!
While Tech is not an SEC school, most girls will have recs. There are some who do not.
A few recommendations: Make sure all your social media is spotless. Let it “tell your story” through the pictures, posts and items you choose to share. The pictures you submit - both with your registration and with any recs - should look like you will look during recruitment. Don’t send the senior portraits you made a year ago unless you still look like that. You want to be immediately recognizable when you walk in the door. And pictures do not need to be from a formal sitting. Clear and engaging candids are often preferable. And, yes, send recs. Let an alum of the sorority tell them why you need to be in their chapter. You will receive information on appropriate dress for each day. Wear whatever makes you feel your best (within the guidelines, of course). You will be assigned a rush counselor to guide you through the week. She can be a great help and will be available to answer any questions or address any concerns. Relax, smile, and trust the process!!! Best of luck!