Hello. I got accepted to Northwestern ED for the class of 2019. While I know sorority recruitment is deffered, I have a few questions about rush…
- On NU’s Panhellic website, it said recommendations for sororities are not required, but should I get them anyway? Will they increase my chances of getting into the sorority of my choice? Do they make a big difference when it comes to inviting girls back?
- How competitive is rush when it comes to the more popular sororoties on campus? (yes I know keeping an open mind during the process is encouraged, but I want to know my chances)
- What do girls commonly wear during rush since it’s so cold?
If your mother has friends who were in various houses, you might as well go ahead and get them, but it’s not required. NU has the (entirely appropriate and normal, IMO) viewpoint that it’s the girls that you meet that should be determining what house you join - not the opinion of some alum 1000 miles away. All it really does is serve as a “highlight” so they can better match you with someone who might have something in common with you - if they know you are a tennis player from Seattle, they might ensure you meet their members from Seattle, that type of thing.
“More popular” means NOTHING. Go in with an open mind and decide who YOU like and who YOU want to be sisters with.
I’ve heard that recs mean absolutely nothing unless you’re a legacy. Otherwise, since its not really a competitive system and almost everyone gets a bid, its a waste of time for you and the sororities.
Rec’s don’t mean much at most schools (some still require them), but they can’t hurt. It is one more chance for them to see your name, even if it is only to file the form. Some people are nosy (me) and like to read about people, where they are from, what they’ve done, what we might have in common.
At my daughter’s school (very small) they all knew her when she rushed because she had several recommendations. Some of them are like me, and they used all the little points as conversation starters - home town, sports, interests. Do I think it mattered? Probably, because she is a legacy and because the house is small and popular.
Just ask around - teachers, the mothers of your friends, older friends -and I’m sure you’ll find some sorority women to write recs for you. It only takes a few minutes (ours are online).
At many chapters at NU, a recommendation will ensure that you get asked back to second set. I think this is helpful because they meet so many girls during set one, I think it’s nice to get another chance to meet girls in as many houses as you can. The importance of legacies varies by house (my daughter was a double legacy at a house at NU and did not get a bid) but to an earlier post, I think it’s appropriate that the sororities are given the chance to invite who they want. Each house has their own personality and you will hear wildly different opinions about which are “more popular”. And you will hear plenty of opinions during the Fall so don’t worry about that now. Rushing in winter is hard but they manage pretty well. It’s pretty casual until you get to the last two days; the girls where boots and sweats over their clothes if it’s really cold and snowy. My only caution is that it is a long week and very tiring. You really need to keep your energy up and try to stay healthy.