Hey there, I will be a freshman at UF and my family (mostly my brother who is in a frat at UF) is really pressuring me to rush in the fall. I know that sorority life is not for me and they are ok if I dont join a sorority but is it even worth it to rush if I know that I will not join a sorority. My brother has offered to pay for rush just so that I will do it and says that people will not respect me if I never even try to rush? My main concern is that rush takes place the first week of school and I think I may want to have that time to settle in and find my way around campus.
The statistics on several sites show that only 15% of the UF student body are Greek so I don't think people will look down on you for not rushing. Since 85% are GDI's, I think you'll be OK if that's what you want to do. My son will be a freshman this Fall and has absolutely no interest in rushing and joining a frat. It's just not him. Check out the other thread that Shelbyyy started "Is Greek Life Worth the Money", it has some interesting posts in it. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Here's my completely unbiased opinion. Greek life is definitely big here, but not as big as some other SEC schools (mainly Alabama and Ole Miss). You will have NO problem fitting in or making friends if you decide to not go through with recruitment, and your college experience will still be great. However, I do think it would be important to go through rush as a freshman. I don't think its fair to say sorority life isn't for you without going through it and getting a feel for all of the houses. You never know, you may end up loving it and find a great house!
you're thinking about this too much. you're only going to have the chance to do it once. its a week or kind of weird bs. you're not going to have anything better to do. you'll meet a lot of people.
"My main concern is that rush takes place the first week of school and I think I may want to have that time to settle in and find my way around campus."
you won't need a week to do this, and its not time critical. all you need to do is spend 20 minutes one day making sure you know where your classes are. you can wait a little longer to find out that there's a bunch of study spots against the south wall in library west's bottom floor.
It is not that simple to just go through rush. The demand on your time is outrageous. My son has a friend that went through Sorority Rush and it was very time consuming. She liked 3 of them and none of them invited her back she was extremely disapointed. I know this girl she is attractive, very personable and was very popular in HS. I could not believe that she was not invited to join.
So dont think you can pick the one that you like. It does not work that way. Maybe some on here can explain the process? I think you have to visit most of the houses then the sisters meet and decide who to invite back. If you get invited back you will be interviewed by the rush commitee, then they decide if you fit in and if they want you. Then you are given a bid.
The entire proces in my opinion is a popularity contest. If you know someone and they have clout in the house you will get in. If not? Good Luck.
I'm guessing gator4ever is male? During the first two days of sorority rush, you will visit EVERY sorority. It's a mutual selection process, but it's really way more mutual on the part of the sorority than the rushee (actually now called Potential New Member or PNM). Yes, it's harder for a girl to get a bid than a guy because the process is way more structured. Here are details: http://info.theginsystem.com/website...uide%206_2.pdf and About Recruitment (click on Recruitment and then on the menu that pops up). You will need recommendations, especially for UF. Recommendations are just that - letters of recommendation from alumnae of each sorority. Start asking around - you'll be surprised how many Greek sorority alumnae you know! Have a resume, a picture and a school transcript ready to give the women who agree to write you a recommendation.
Why not go through? You can always drop out after the first two or three days. Yes, the first two days are pretty hectic, but it gets better. Plus you meet a ton of people.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I am still pretty conflicted on what to do because these posts contradict each other but am leaning towards no. I am just going to have to keep doing research and find out more. Anyone else who like to posts more information to help me out would be greatly appreciated!
It's time consuming, and for those who really care, it can be a week of stress, heartache, tears and other extreme emotions. If you don't WANT to do it, don't do it. If you change your mind later on, then just rush next year, it's no big deal. This isn't the biggest decision to make in life, so just relax and do what you feel like doing. If you feel like you're going to have sleepless nights wondering "what could have been", then rush. If you feel indifferent about it or your gut says NO, then don't rush. The only people who care and obsess over being greek, are the greeks. No one else cares lol
I have officially made my decision NOT to rush because I do not want to be any part of it and am very confident in my decision and know that I will not spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been! Thank you so much for all of your differing oppinions. For all of you sorority and fraternity people who commented know that I do not judge or think anything bad of greek life but I just know that it is not for me and I hope you respect my opinion!
