<p>I am going to be a freshman next year at UT and am not sure about sororities but i'm interested in spirit groups (Texas Spirits, Texas Sweethearts, Texas Wrangler Darlins', Texas Lonestars, Texas Lassos, etc.). I was wondering if anyone who attends Texas knows which ones are the most fun and prominent on campus? Also what type of recruitment process do they each go through? I would definitely appreciate any help!</p>
<p>Hello! I am in a spirit/service group Texas Lassos’! I just got initiated in Spring of this year! Joining Texas Lassos was definitely the best decision of my freshman year! I can definitely tell you that Lassos are very prominent on campus, we did a Food Drive competition with the rest of the spirit groups, tabling happens quite often, and our group is growing bigger and bigger! Socially, there was NEVER a weekend in my spring semester that wasn’t fun! Every weekend there were Lasso events, mixers, birthday parties, pool parties, service events, tailgates. The cool thing about all of this is that you get to meet so many amazing girls! Everyone is very genuine and very nice!! Never once have I felt like an outsider in Texas Lassos. I met a handful of girls already that I would definitely have be my bridesmaid in my wedding 
One thing among the many that sets Texas Lassos apart from other groups is that Lassos are very laid back, there aren’t a lot of requirements, etc. to meet! We are probably the least sorority type spirit group. In my eyes, that is a good thing.
The recruitment process for lassos is very unique. Of course we table in the main mall, have flyers, info sessions, and meet & greets; but we also have Rodeo, which is a week long process where you really get to learn all about lassos and really meet all the girls in the organization and figure out if you are a good fit within the organization. One really cool thing about the recruitment/application process is that you DO NOT have to be artist!! You don’t have to draw anything, etc. It’s simply all about your PERSONALITY!
I hope I helped with your questions & definitely come and see the Lassos at the main mall when school starts!!!</p>
<p>I am not part of a spirit group, but I considered joining Lasso’s or Sweethearts before I decided to go Greek instead. I would recommend Lasso’s as first choice- maureenedobor isn’t exaggerating just because she’s part of the Lasso’s- they really are a great group of girls who have fun and do a lot of great service projects. I went through “recruitment” for them last term- it basically consisted of going to an interest meeting, then turning in an application (which was received at the meeting), then being called back for an “interview” and eventually possibly offered a bid. I’m not sure what happens after the interview stage, I dropped from their recruitment before I went to mine. </p>
<p>If you decide against Lasso’s, I’d suggest the sweethearts- they are basically the same kind of group but just a different set of girls. I would not go for Darlin’s or Lonestars, they don’t have the greatest reputation compared to other options.</p>
<p>I am not involved in a spirit group, as I rushed sorority freshman year, but I have heard amazing things about the Texas Spirits and the Texas Wrangler Darlins, and have friends involved in each.</p>
<p>The Texas Spirits started in 1941, so they are the oldest spirit group on campus. Because of this, they have many traditions, including secret sayings (CIWY), a cute bandana uniform, and creative projects, like painting the drag. Recruitment for this organization is extremely competitive. More than 300 girls apply on average, and the first round of elimination (to about 50) is completely blind. Creativity and artsiness are musts for this organization. The Spirits have an awesome reputation on campus, although they have gotten in trouble in the past for underage drinking.</p>
<p>A very underrated spirit group on campus is the Texas Wrangler Darlins. They are one of the much newer ones (2003), but are growing in prominence and have a fantastic reputation. The Darlins are the only organization on campus with a brother organization (the Texas Wranglers, yummm), and have a lot of mixers with these great guys. The Darlins are also the only girl spirit group to not have gotten in trouble with the university. Although they are very new, I have heard that they are rapidly establishing unique traditions, and their recruitment process is becoming increasingly more competitive. They started with just a few girls in 2003, but now have close to 100, and are expecting a great outcome in spring 2011.</p>
<p>I’m a Texas Spirit, and if you’re interested in spirit groups, you should definitely check out the Student Organization Database and look all of them up. They each have something a little different to offer–some tend to lean harder on their social aspect, others on service–and that way you can figure out which ones you like best. Also, all spirit groups as far as I know recruit in the fall and spring at the beginning of each semester (except Lonestars, who I believe only recruit in the fall) and hold open information sessions for any girls who are interested.</p>
<p>I can honestly say that Spirits is the best thing I’ve done for myself since I started college, and I know other girls in spirit groups say the same thing about their organizations.</p>
<p>Just a warning, if you don’t like sorority girls, don’t try out for a spirit group!! Everyone told me that spirit groups are like sororities but for more down to earth people, and there’s nothing farther than the truth! I went to the info sessions for almost every single spirit group on campus, only to find that they’re all the same cookie-cutter girls who care more about shoes and screaming than being a genuine person. I wish I could’ve known that before I went to all the sessions to save myself so much time and effort.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but you are mistaken, very mistaken. My son is a Wranger and is friends with two girls who are members of the sister group (Texas Wrangler Darlins) and they are nothing like what you describe. I know one of the girls and she is no “cookie-cutter” girl who screams and cares only about shoes. </p>
<p>My son looked into joining a frat, but disliked the “cookie-cutter” type of people (as you called them) where the emphasis is on drinking and status and soon became disinterested. He was fortunate to make two good friends his freshman year who were both genuine and caring people. Both of them attempted to join Wranglers with my son (and were accepted, along with him). I know my son is a real, substantial and loving person who became interested in the Wranglers because of the integrity and character of the people he met while checking them out. My son decided to join Wrangers precisely because the people there were NOT like fraternity “bros”. Not everyone that attempts to join is accepted. In fact, most won’t be accepted. The process to join is rather rigorous. In addition to attending many events (where potential members are scrutinized), he had to get references and write several essays with topics such as “Describe a time when you sacrificed yourself for another person”. Does that sound frivolous and “cookie-cutter” to you? The last hurdle was an extensive interview, and the questions they asked really impressed him. After being accepted and attending the induction ceremony he texted me telling me it was really amazing. After a few texts I asked him if he had met any other Christians there. He wrote back: “I wish you could know what I just walked into today. Maybe I’ll tell you down the road, but I can say now. It was amazing, though. As far as believers go, I can’t really tell right now, but I know they exhibit the same actions as a believer does, and that’s why I joined”. I think that says a lot right there.</p>
<p>Not all spirit groups are alike, I think you judged all of them based on the few you visited. Plus, the info sessions were full of many girls that aren’t members (girls visiting just like you)… perhaps they were the ones screaming and talking about shoes.</p>