<p>I have a high school daughter who is interested in Vanderbilt, but I worry about sorority rush because we aren't connected to the school or Tennessee at all. Does anyone have any insight? I know sooo many kids who did not get a fraternity or sorority bid this year at southern school: Clemson, TCU, FSU, Auburn. Getting into Greek life in the south makes me very nervous.</p>
<p>My D did not choose to rush, but she has friends who are sorority members. They are from all over the US. As is the case on many campuses, there seems to be a preconceived notion of which sororities are “best.” If your D is willing to be flexible in terms of the group she joins, I would think she has as good a chance to get a bid at Vandy as she would at other schools.</p>
<p>Is SHE interested in rush or worried about not getting a bid? Please let her do what she feels is best for her. My H and I were both happily greek in college, but our D had no interest whatsoever in greek life. We did not push her to rush. It is her life, after all.</p>
<p>Clearly having a good friend in a sorority is an advantage, but since so many people come from all areas, lots of people get bids without previously knowing anybody. Vandy says that each girl will get a bid as long as she is open to joining any sorority and does not cut herself in early rounds.</p>
<p>The kids at Vandy come from all over the United States. The sororities cannot possibly be recruiting only from Tennessee–there wouldn’t be enough girls from that state or even from the southern states to go around.</p>
<p>There are many girls with recommendations who don’t get into the sorority of their mother’s etc at Vandy and other colleges. Although it is fair to say that half the girls will rush and participate, and that is a significant factor for young women at Vanderbilt, there is also 50% of girls and more of boys who do not use Greek Row for much of their social lives on weekends. Keep in mind that Nashville is very user friendly for independents compared to say life in Hanover New Hampshire or Lexington VA where there really is not much to offer outside of Greek organized social and service outlets. Every student should be prepared to go independent or to take bids from unexpected sororities. There are so many great students at Vanderbilt now that you will meet great kids in all Greek groups and mixed or independent organizations as well.</p>
<p>Well-said Faline2. I think you are right. Vanderbilt has such a wealth of top caliber students that there is a lot of competition for both sororities and fraternities. Do you know if they are adding any new houses?</p>
<p>I think there is the inevitable preoccupation with “ranks” and “perceived ranks” in status re Greek groups at Vandy and other campuses…same deal. As freshmen…you have to suffer through this at Vandy, Georgia, VA etc…it is not a “vandy only” problem. But these kids are all too bright to view their lives through the lens of status assigned to greek houses for long…My Vandy son will have none of it, my Duke son loves his frat as an alum. Why eliminate Greek life campuses if you know you are independent when it is really up to you to create your own world in college? That is our outlook. Don’t know about new houses…just know that girls come early after winter break and some of them get zero bids. we hear from mothers on this board sometimes who are angry their daughters didn’t get into their alum groups. same story on other campuses. Best to have a thick skin and a non judgmental outlook because Greeks and independents at Vandy do tons of projects together regardless.</p>
<p>I will start instilling that in my daughter NOW! “You are too bright to view your life through the lens of status assigned to greek houses” LOVE IT!</p>
<p>There are so many kids from the East and West coasts now that your head will spin when you see that Vanderbilt is truly a nationally based college. No shortage of kids from the North and Midwest. My son went to NYC this summer and stayed in three homes of guys from three families rooted in different nationalities and religions. Our son is a southerner and Vanderbilt exists in a southern city but there are many midwesterners there as well. Vandy is really not that far from Birmingham…or St. Louis. Our son’s freshman roommate was a refreshing guy from Orange County, CA. Stay open-hearted in all your college applications and give your heart and mind to your school and all will be well.</p>
<p>Rice1961,
The Delta Gamma chapter was recently phased out and a new chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was created (is colonized the right word?) to take its place and accommodate the number of young women desiring to be Greek. While S was independent, D was Greek and made amazing friends through her affiliation. That said, it’s safe to say that Faline2’s assessment about recruitment is correct. It can be brutal. My personal nickname for recruitment is “Drama Trauma Drama.” D became a Greek ambassador her senior year to get away from the cruel side of this process. However, every year she was there it was true that any girl who wanted a bid would receive one. The problem is that too many girls come into the process unwilling to consider certain houses. There are wonderful girls in all the houses.</p>