I was initiated into a npc sorority & disaffiliated shortly after. The sorority's rituals/meetings/ceremonies and ideals were heavily based on a certain group of religion. I felt uncomfortable and conflicted in the sorority like I was being dishonest to my own faith. The religious side wasn't mentioned before initiation and I feel like that should definitely be!! Fast forward to today. I'm transferring schools and would love to be part of Greek like again. Does Panhellenic make any exceptions?
Sadly, once you are initiated into a NPC sorority, you cannot join another NPC sorority. You have knowledge of your original organization’s secret rituals and everything private about being a sister. So that door is closed.
But, you CAN join a non-NPC sorority! That includes service sororities, special interest organizations, religious chapters, multi-cultural groups, local chapters, etc… Visit your new school’s Greek Life website and see what “other” chapters are available on campus. They allow for former and current NPC members to join with no problem. You can still experience the traditions and joys of sorority life, without being in a NPC chapter. There are many opportunities beyond the mainstream houses, so explore all your options. I hope you can find a sorority that suits your personality and doesn’t conflict with any of your beliefs. xoxo ;)
Q: So last year as a freshmen I went through rush but ended up dropping out on the last day. I didn’t feel like I clicked with either of the final two houses I was going to visit on preference day and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to join a sorority in the first place. I have decided that I wanted to give it another try, but I’m worried that I will have to explain to everyone why I didn’t follow through with the recruitment process last year. How should I approach this?
Also, I didn’t get involved on campus during my freshmen year and I’m worried that I won’t have anything to talk about. I’m planning on changing things my sophomore year by joining clubs and volunteering, but I’m concerned that my lack of experience on campus this past year will make me look bad. I’d appreciate your advice! Thanks!
A: It’s not too late to change direction! You probably won’t be asked specifically about your freshman recruitment experience, but you will surely be asked about rushing as a sophomore and what makes you want to join a sorority. Having a positive answer ready will really help you succeed.
Be truthful, but put a positive spin on it. (Don’t mention that you didn’t like your two final houses last time.) Instead, say that you participated in recruitment last year, but you weren’t ready to take the plunge. You wanted to get established on campus first. Now that you’re older, wiser and more grounded as a student, you’re eager to go Greek. Emphasize your commitment to joining a sorority. Chapters don’t want to extend invites and bids to PNMs who are going to drop out.
Even though you’re short on recent activities, you can talk about your freshman adventures, your family, best friends, classes/major, hobbies and interests. Toss in some of your high school experiences if they’re relevant to the conversation. Build an attractive portrait of yourself and highlight your desire to get more involved on campus. If your GPA is strong, and you’re a good conversationalist, everything should work out for you the second time around. Self confidence and enthusiasm will help you achieve your sorority goal.
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Hey! So last year I went through recruitment at my school and I really wanted to join a sorority. At my school we have 7 sororities and I only had two ask me back on day 2 (max 5). It was my favorite house and my lease favorite house but I couldn't afford my favorite house so I dropped out. I'm a little big (weight) and sadly I think that it might have been part of it. I know sororities aren't all about looks. But do you think it would be weird if I rush again as a sophomore since I didn't join?
It’s perfectly okay to rush a second time as a sophomore. Many PNMs don’t make a commitment the first time around for a variety of reasons. The sororities know this and they expect repeat PNMs the next year.
The confusing part is, you seem concerned about your weight, but you dropped out because you couldn’t afford the sorority you liked the most. So your #1 house WAS interested in you, irregardless of your size. The problem was your finances, not your appearance.
Before you rush again, make sure you have everything clear in your mind. If you can only afford your third or fourth choice chapters, it will be very difficult making a happy match. Going into recruitment, you should feel comfortable accepting a bid from whichever sorority you “click” with. To drop the sorority you like the most, and accept your fifth choice just because of the money, will be quite challenging. It would be much better to make financial arrangements before next fall, so you can go through recruitment free of worry. Talk to your parents about helping with dues, or take a part-time job. Many sisters work and belong to a sorority at the same time.
Also, it’s not uncommon for PNMs to get their top choice and a bottom choice. Your favorite sorority saw you as a potential match and you were probably on your way to getting a bid. All it takes is one chapter to go greek. So get everything in order for next fall and take the plunge one more time. Getting a bid as a sophomore is not easy, so make sure you’re 100% confident and totally flexible starting on day one of rush week. xoxo ;)
Of course! There are lots of sororities outside of the NPC that are wonderful organizations. Service, religious, multicultural and special interest (like music or agriculture) chapters serve the needs of many college students who relate to the mission of these sororities. Local sororities are another option. Wherever you feel most “at home” is where you should pledge.
There are many different ways to go Greek. Not everyone fits the NPC mold. That’s why there are a variety of options on most campuses. You can get many of the same experiences and traditions in a non-NPC sorority, make lots of new friends and basically boost your entire college experience. Of course there are pros and cons to both kinds of sororities, but if you’re more comfortable in a service organization, they’ll be lucky to have you. Go where your hearts leads you and you’ll be the happiest in the long run. xoxo ;)
I have lots and lots of advice! Much of it has been posted on Tumblr, but it can be hard to find, so I’ve created a website “Hub” to make the information easier to access! I recommend you visit sororitysugarHQ.com and check out these Pages in particular:
• Digital Sweet Shop: Downloadable “bite-size-booklets” with tips on rec letters, preparing for recruitment, questions to ask. etc!
• Recruitment Boost Page: This page is a library of links to my top PNM advice posts from my blog. It’s an easy way to find the information you need and click right to it.
• Rushwear Style Guide: Get the fashions you need for rush week by linking from my FAVE selection of sorority style looks for PNMs. Lots of apparel and accessories to choose from that are recruitment appropriate.
• Recruitment FAQ Page: This page has a selection of the most common questions asked by PNMs and my advice for each one.
• Panhellenic Preview Page: Take a look at all 26 NPC chapters and learn a little more about them before recruitment. Links to the HQ website of each sorority included.
• Greek Glossary & Sorority Etiquette Page: There’s a whole new language that goes along with joining Greek life. Learn the terms you need to know before recruitment. And review the sorority etiquette guide for tips on classy social skills. And a PNM with good manners is always impressive to sorority sisters.
• HQ Homepage: On the HQ website, there are more informational posts as well. Enter the word “recruitment” in the Search Bar and you will find additional tips for PNMs.
Recruitment is a once in a lifetime experience. The more you learn, the more relaxed you will feel during the week. Put your best self forward in all ways and get ready to start your sorority journey! xoxo ;)
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I am rushing as a sophomore and I am super nervous about my GPA! I have a 3.4 now but if I get a B in this summer class I am taking it will be at a 3.37! I feel like that is super low and will result in me getting cut from a lot of houses. If it helps, I am rushing at the University of Arkansas
You should be FINE with a 3.4 or 3.3. The typical Panhellenic minimum is 2.5 to join a sorority. Some chapters will set a higher standard, but you should reach the higher levels too. Do the best you can in your summer class - it will only help your overall GPA.
You also have the benefit of knowing what college courses are like, how much time you need to study and how to balance classwork with a social life. These are all positive traits for a sophomore PNM to have. Your university “experience” is a benefit of being older. You know the ropes and you’re probably more centered than most of the freshman. Use these strong points to your advantage during recruitment. And stay positive! xoxo ;)
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