<p>Wellesley's Societies
I just want to prod a little bit into what these things actually ARE... I saw them referred to as "nerdy sororities" once on some website. Could I get some general feedback?</p>
<p>Okay, so I'm not in a society. Excuse the misinformed stereotypes of the noninvolved part of the Wellesley population, but this is what you wanted, no?</p>
<p>Suggested talking points:
-What kind of girl joins a society?
People who may have joined a sorority if they existed at another school, which boils down to wanting to be a part of that particular group. Basically, you perceive these types of people as your ideal kind of friends. I don't mean any bad connotations by "ideal kind of friends". It's a fit thing.</p>
<p>As for Shakes, you can join if you are not a theater junkie, but a Big Theater Junkie. And you have to like Shakespeare too!</p>
<p>-How are these societies looked upon by non-members?
Depends on the non-member, really. I know one particular student who liked to hate on people who dressed up for class, spent lots of money and drink too much, and was happy to lump them all in as "society girls". And rant. Loudly. People who are less insecure think of them as one of many consuming extra curriculars that they don't do. I don't really care one way or another about the societies. About two people involved with them are in my circle of acquaintances, so I don't really pay them much mind. My indifference slightly borders on dislike (see the rushing answer).</p>
<p>Students also think their electronic advertisements can be a little much at the beginning of the semester (that goes for all the a capella groups too!).</p>
<p>-What do the societies do in the Wellesley community?</p>
<p>The Shakespeare Society puts on two plays a year. They do a "Haunted Haus" for parents weekend, and a "Haus of Fools" on April 1. They'll also put on some other events, such as the 24 hour play reading, and a reading of plays on Severence Green.</p>
<p>Phi sig puts on lectures. Last year they did a "professors and their passions" series which went exactly like you think it would. I went to the lecture by the Professor who is also a professional ballroom dancer, and it was excellent. However, the groups that consistently bring the heavy hitters to campus are the Students for Reproductive Rights and the Wellesley College Republicans.</p>
<p>ZA is a literary society. They have a poetry contest and they give away money for it. It's going on right now, otherwise I would tell you ZA doesn't do all that much.</p>
<p>TZE is the art and music society. None of their events besides their parties are ever interesting or well advertised enough to register on my radar, which is that of a person who likes to read through event ads.</p>
<p>The societies will put on parties, and outside SBOG (and the Munger Mash), they are one of the few groups that will have events that attract off-campus boys. And theses parties take place in their little houses which are away from Dorms.</p>
<p>If I had to order the groups from sorority like to nerdy sorority, I would say, TZE, ZA, Phi Sig, then Shakes. I am told the Shakes party the hardest, however.</p>
<p>-What is the time commitment for a society?
I don't know. I feel that it's probably your major extra curricular.</p>
<p>-(This is a big one) What does the rushing process entail? Anything a self-respecting person would frown upon?
Rush? No, you "tea". Teaing entails going to the number of events the table tent or Spam that advertises the society says you should go to. I imagine you chat with the members of said society and eat their food.
Typically, you have to be a second semester first year, with the exception of Shakes. My sophomore year, they put out an announcement after the first tea that said "We talked to the first years, and we think you guys are awesome. We want you now, so come back, we'll let you apply!" It's been that way ever since.
If you are admitted, some societies make you wear stupid hats and outfits all week. TZE is the one that comes to mind. It's sort of juvenile, and I have some self respect issues with it. I've been told the people who wear the stupid outfits think they are the luckiest people ever, so who knows. But this is where my mild dislike comes from, because making people dress up a certain way smacks of middle school to me.</p>
<p>I know a phi sig member who described the member selection process to me. It's a lot harder on the current members because they debate into the wee hours of the morning and get no sleep that week. If a current member has a problem with <em>you</em>, you're out. I get the impression the "problem" would not be a petty one. I forget what makes phi sig different from the other societies. I think they read the applications without names on them or something more objective than the other groups.</p>
<p>Anyway, since you will be at Wellesley for a semester before applying, you will get a feel for what the rest of campus thinks of them, but most importantly, what you think of them.</p>