<p>So excited to see so many girls interested in joining a sorority! I’m currently in one at UF and I am SO glad I joined. Easily one of the best decisions I’ve made during my time here.
To those of you asking about high transcripts, I don’t believe the application requires a transcript, though I do know that you must fill in your GPA, extra curriculars, etc. Also, someone asked about recommendation letters from alumni. I would recommend getting as many letters from moms, aunts, teachers, family friends, etc. as you can. The best way I can put it is that it allows the sorority to already have idea of the qualities you possess that can benefit the chapter before going in there, which can obviously be great. That being said, it isn’t necessary to have a letter for every single chapter or even the chapter(s) you have in mind (more about this later!) If you and a chapter hit it off, it isn’t going to matter whether you had a letter or not.
PLEASE DO NOT look at sites like greek rankings or whatever! These sites are completely false (their ratings are based on random people going to their site and clicking a button). The best advice I can give for recruitment is to go in with an OPEN MIND. Sororities reputations are based on what other people think and the whole point of joining a sorority is finding the chapter that makes YOU feel like you belong.
In terms of expenses, I’m not going to lie and say joining a sorority is easy financially. There are plenty of costs. However, if you can afford these costs (and there are scholarships to help) I think the benefits of joining outweigh them (old study packets for classes, carpooling, shared wardrobes, etc.)
Finally, I hope no one on here is discouraged about joining a sorority based on their academic track (i.e. pre-med). I’m also pre-med and find that not only do I have enough time to study, I have more study resources, study groups, and words of encouragement that I would have had without my sorority.
I hope you all go through the rush experience even if you have doubts about joining a sorority. That way you can see what’s sorority life is like, judge if it’s something you would like to do, and have no regrets!
Here’s the link the the recruitment guide for fall 2012: <a href=“http://info.theginsystem.com/websites/PC_UF/userfiles/files/UF%20Recruitment%20Guide%206_2.pdf[/url]”>http://info.theginsystem.com/websites/PC_UF/userfiles/files/UF%20Recruitment%20Guide%206_2.pdf</a>
Also, I would be more than happy to answer any questions about my chapter or Panhellenic life in general if you PM me! Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>How can we find out how much each specific house cost? And what about the “Mandatory meal plan”? I wasn’t really planning on getting any kind of meal plan :/</p>
<p>Shelby… Excellent cost $ question. What does it cost, on average, to be Greek at UF by comparison to average non Greek life style? I would guess being Greek will set one back an additional $3,000 per year. </p>
<p>Thanks for $ thoughts.</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>^^^ Noone want to take a crack at a dollar figure? Real $ numbers
appreciated.</p>
<p>D</p>
<p>My d graduated from UF in December and was in a sorority. The costs vary between houses, but she paid about 2,000 per semester, and she lived out of the house and off campus. The biggest part of the 2K each semester was the meal plan, which everyone was required to pay for. </p>
<p>Joining a sorority if definitely expensive, particularly since all the chapters at UF have houses.</p>
<p>what house was she in?</p>
<p>Poet… Thanks for the example. Helps. David</p>
<p>Poet… Are annual dues included in the $4K example?? Members living in the house and off campus pay the same for meals. Do any houses seek to reduce off campus members meal costs since obviously they will not be eating all meals at the house?</p>
<p>Thanks David</p>
<p>I’m not sure about all the houses, but in my d’s sorority, the meal plan was mandatory and there is no difference between those that live in and out. The plan covers breakfast lunch and dinner 5 days a week. Lots of girls who live out eat all their meals at the house. If a girl chooses not to eat all their meals there, there is no reduction in price. The meal plan costs roughly the same as a meal plan in the dorm. So if you were planning on buying a meal plan for the dorm, it’s about the same. Even if you signed a meal plan contract, they allow you to get a refund to apply toward the meal plan at the house. </p>
<p>Also consider that the first semester dues will be a bit higher because there are one time fees you have to pay, I think d’s first semester she paid about $500 extra. After that, she paid about 2k per semester. </p>
<p>If finances are a concern, look into living in the house. Living in the house with the meal plan is comparable price wise to living in the dorm with the meal plan. What gets more expensive is living off campus since rent is often more $$ than the dorm, especially since you usually have to sign a 12 month lease. The houses are closed in the summer.</p>