CollegeGirl17

Hi,

I was wondering about Greek Life. How difficult is it to get a bid for a sorority? What are the odds/chances? What type of things should you do to really try to get a bid?

andrewtdx

As far as getting a bid? There are some houses where its tougher than others. I've been so out of the loop for so long and haven't really bothered to check in, that I'm not sure where the houses stand. Usually, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi were desirable houses when I was there, with Delta Gamma and Alpha Delta Pi coming in close afterwards. I'm not going to do rankings or say anything about the houses themselves.

As far as rush for Sororities goes, it's a lot more formalized than the men's rush. (Men's rush, you kind of go around, eat their BBQ, get to know the guys, hang out and decide if its a fit.) Women's rush is a bit more complicated. If I recall correctly, it entailed going to a few 'cocktail/punch and hors d'ouveres' type parties which were really just mixers that lasted about 15-30 minutes(? - if it's changed, please let me know.) where you got to meet a few of the women and they got to know you on a basic level. From then on, they would decide to give you a pref bid or something to invite you back. You would continue to go to events at houses where you were invited back.

Anyway, I think I really rambled off topic here. To get a bid, I would absolutely suggest being yourself. Don't try to put on airs to get into a top tier house where you wouldn't fit in. Wear nice, appropriate clothing and light makeup (generally a light bit of foundation, and a conservative/natural color of mascara and lipstick). Usually a sun dress or a nice outfit works well. They'll tell you the dress code. Keep the conversation pleasant and light, but enough so they can know where you stand and who you really are. And by the way, I've become very liberal socially in my old age and working in the real world for awhile now, if I find overly done makeup and a hoochie dress offensive, you can bet your bottom dollar the women who will be rushing you will as well. In other words, walk in looking like you have some class and not like you belong on the Ho Stro on San Pablo in Oakland.

To summarize, I cannot overemphasize the following points if you decided to come back to my long rambling post:

1. Be yourself. I cannot stress this enough. They can smell fear and phoniness.
2. Don't let image pressures get your heart set on a house you wouldn't fit into. Find the house that you feel like you belong in and go with that.
3. Dress appropriately and conservatively. I'm not talking show up in something that hasn't been fashionable since the 1950s, but like above, a nice sun dress or cute ensemble will suit you well.
4. Don't overdo it on the make up. You want to look like you have some measure of class and breeding.
5. Do not discuss sex, politics, or religion even if you are asked. Gracefully deflect the conversation and steer it to more suitable topics.

stringbean93

Andrewtdx, i'm currently a sophomore in high school and I'm interested in computer sciences. cal seems to be one of the best options for this major, because it has high rankings and I think I should be able to get accepted. my current GPA is 3.917, but i've only taken half of a weighted class, and plan to have about three next year. I'm sixth in my class, but that will hopefully get better as well. As far as standardized testing, my school takes the ACT, but I haven't taken it yet. I usually do very well on standardized test, so this shouldn't be a problem. As far as awards, I know it sounds silly but in eighth grade i received the American Legion award, along with other leadership awards. Hopefully I'll obtain more by the time I graduate. What do you think my chances are of getting in? Honestly, please don't blow sunshine up my ass. I also wanted to know if you still think I should declare my major as "undeclared".

Shizzle

Stringbean: Got to the Official Chances Thread.

QuasiProfound

I'm not even considering Cal - international needing FA, the kiss of death - but just out of interest, is Berkeley really so much tougher than the other top-ranked schools of its caliber? It's just that there seem to be so many more threads on 'surviving' Cal then there are on other schools.

nybeath

calstudent,

could you elaborate on the apartments with in walking distance? i am in dire need for off-campus housing. thanks!

sushifiend

Somewhere in this forum, I dare not search back for the quote, I read that there is a difference between the reference of Cal and UCB in regards to that campus itself.

Or wait, maybe that was another forum -_-

Forgive me, I've been hooked on these forums all night.

Hehe, but anyways, would someone mind elaborating?

Please & Thanks. <(^^,)>

SelenaMJ

I would like advice on transferring to Berkeley. I kind of screwed up my sophomore year in high school, for many reasons, so there's no way I will get into Berkeley. And so my plan is to spend my first two college years at Humboldt State, do well and transfer into Berkeley for my junior year. Do you think that's a good plan? Would I be looked down on as inferior because I went to Humboldt? Would it be difficult for me to make friends and feel comfortable at Berkeley if I transfer in after two years? Is there on campus housing available for juniors? I am shy and have a hard time making friends in general.
But I am pretty intelligent and capable of getting good grades. And once I meet people I get along with I am fairly good at socializing.
Thanks.

Fasttrack

^ Yea, it's a good plan. The admit rate for transfers are usually higher than freshman admit rate, so you'll have a better chance (but once again, it depends on how you do at Humboldt State).
Most of the students at Cal are very friendly and Cal itself is a very welcoming community, so you won't be looked down as inferior. Would it be difficult for you to make friends? If you simply go out and take the chance to meet new people, take the initiative in introducing yourself and stuff, you'll be making new friends in no time. So this really depends on you, but one thing is for sure - get rid of your shyness, it will just hurt you in the long run.
Campus housing is guaranteed for a year for transfers if you apply before a certain deadline.

Clear my mind

God this is so scary...

Canescans

Does anyone have experience with living in International House and care to share?

mikecerang

Sucks that UCLA has a lower admit rate

artofmovement

i was wondering if Berkeley really is as stressful and horrid as i hear it from my older friends?
they're constantly stressing over school and seem to have lost their social life. i'm a bit worried about applying.