<p>Sybbie, thank you for the insights. I am glad everything worked out well for your daughter. I was in a sorority (big state school), and I am friends with many of my sisters to this day. Can I ask a question, something Coureur mentioned? It sounds like there is a chance that even if you like a house and they want you, you might not get asked back? It seems a little more random at DM (with the exception of a couple of houses). Do you know how this works? D has friends in many houses, and she thinks she could be very happy in quite a few, so I probably have nothing to worry about. But what else do I have to do :)? And I hope everyone has a nice Memorial weekend. Hope the weather calms down in the Midwest.</p>
<p>Thanks for the support. Sure did not think that the bike would be found, especially on campus. Hey, so there are some bad apples at school. But they are certainly outnumbered. So yes Dumbo, it gets to be stored for the summer. Hey, be safe during this crazy tornado season. </p>
<p>On the rush issue, I have not heard anything yet. Sybbie your summary on the sorority rush scene was very informative. I am in a wait and see mode, he has not expressed a desire to rush yet. BTW, the weather looks nice in Hanover, lucky 13s get to spend the summer there. Hey, any kids try out for Trip Crew? Heard it was competitive. Watching our son head out on his trip was certainly a unforgettable moment. Best wishes to all you '15 parents.</p>
<p>Magnum, I am glad your son got his bike back. We have also lived through the missing black Northface Denali in the frat basement. While D got her fleece back, she did lose a really nice coat in the basement. The menās rush process is much shorter happens over the period of a weekend and has the option of shaking out (you simply offer your handshake letting the frat know that you are interested and if admitted you will attend- although not obligated to. Kind of puts you in the mind set of applying ED).
Hi Dumbo,</p>
<p>I think that the randomness comes in because women come in fixated on one or two houses instead of having an open mind and giving everyone a chance. Some come in with the mindset that they only want to be part of the house that they feel is the most popular, some only want a national house; KDE, Tri-Delta, KKG (or name your preferred house) and if they are not chosen, then the process did not work. In her senior year, they did add a 7th house and because it was new, there were young women who did not want to be in the house as well as there were young women who wanted to be part of the inaugural class.</p>
<p>Also remember while the handful of people you know in a house and the person you spoke to in the house like you and you like them, the house as a whole votes on who comes into the house. So that the girl that you constantly blow off in your Monday afternoon English class, could not only be a member or officer in your desired house, but may be leading the charge as to why not to take you in. This is one of the reasons my D said that deliberations last about 7 to 8 hours in just the first round. In the rush process, there are siblings who may want to be part of their older sibs house (there were 4 siblings in my Dās rush class) there are legacies (in both the local and the national houses) who the house has to give consideration, they strive for diversity and try to balance all of these things out.
During my Dās last rush she said that it was difficult and each round became more and more difficult as they look at 370 young women knowing that they can only take ~40 women into the house (she said a lot of wonderful young women will be cut simply for a lack of space). During the rush process, the number of seats is set by the total number of PNMs divided by the total number of Panhel organizations. So if there are 200 rushees and 5 sororities, quota is 40 even if the chapter only graduated 20 seniors last year.</p>
<p>The fraternity rush process is a lot more low key, I think. According to S, anyway. For one thing, there is no obligation to go through any kind of process with all the houses. I have the impression that most kids have gotten to know the houses over the course of freshman year, and just go to a few where they feel most comfortable during rush. (S was off campus fall term sophomore year, so he has only participated in the fall rush process as a member.)</p>
<p>I just had a long conversation with him about the social scene at D yesterday. He said that it is in his view unfortunate that a lot of incoming students get caught up in finding a place for themselves by buying into compartmentalizing everyone according to house stereotypes and ārankingsā on bored@baker and the like.</p>
<p>ā¦D wants sorority and will ask more later. </p>
<p>Have more pressing question: Summer housing. Have any of your students done it off campus/nearby and worked as intern at school? If you have any suggestions, the dorms are pretty expensive, so my D would like a room or something nearby. She only got PT intern, so she is still looking for 2nd job. Loves the place and wants to stay, but they are supposed to earn a certain amount in the summer. (I guess with some cuts at the school, she only got PT intern). Any suggestions appreciated. (She doesnāt have car - 14; but we may look for that or scouter). PM if easier.</p>
<p>Thanks (back to workā¦)</p>
<p>Sorry, canāt help much on the housing issue: S lived in his frat sophomore summer and plans to live there this summer too. I understand that sophomores have priority for the summer, even in the frats/sororities/coed houses. Any possibility she could rent a room in a sorority or a house like Tabard? (I donāt know if the frats rent rooms to females in the summerā¦) A friendās S rented a room in an off-campus house with other students one summer. I donāt know how he found it. Maybe craigslist or a bulletin board?</p>
<p>I think it may be hard for her to get a room in one of the houses over the summer, because of sophomore summer and many students do take the opportunity to live in their houses. Remember after considering members of the frat/sorority who have to live in the house (many of the officers, house man, etc) some house may not have enough space to accomodate their own members. Perhaps she could try to reach out to students who may already have an apt of campus and are looking to sublet over the summer.</p>
<p>I second the off-campus sublet suggestion. There are plenty of people looking to sublet for the summer. I would strongly discourage your daughter from renting a room in the Tabard. That would just be extremely awkward, especially if she doesnāt hang out there a lot.</p>
<p>Thanks. She is still looking. Its taking longer than planned. Most houses are full of guys off campus. Not sure if that is the best place, not knowing them and not on campus. I guess I am conservative.She may end up in the dorms, but she would like to get off campus (less money/etc.). Right now she is more studying for finals. With no car/bike, she has to find something close by. Have a great night all.</p>
<p>PS. In these houses that there are 6 bedrooms, do they sign a lease just for their room? D went to one and the one subletting his room, said the others havenāt found anyone. How do we know the landlord may not throw them out if the others donāt sublet theirs (ie. they donāt pay, but daughter pays her room)? Just wondering. If you want to PM me. (I never never rented).</p>
<p>Well, can hardly believe it, but freshman year is almost over. I am leaving tomorrow morning to go help D pack up her room. Much will stay in storage, as she is living in the DM apartments next year, so she wonāt need her futon, fridge, etc. She is very sad, even though she has a great summer planned. It seems like yesterday we moved her into the dorms. These 4 years are going to fly by. Hope all the kids have a wonderful summer!</p>
<p>My 14 D is in mourning already and she hasnāt even left campus yet! She is so in love with that place and had an incredible freshman year. She wants everything to slow down!</p>
<p>My 14 D isnāt leaving, she has an internshipā¦working straight thru. She is looking forward to it, then she donāt have to find a job at home. I may have to go up and help her moveā¦since she has to move for summer, and then for fall. </p>
<p>She still had exam today and Mondayā¦then that is that. Freshman year is done! Summers are much nicer up north.</p>
<p>I watched my son row in his last Dartmouth race today- his boat won the bronze metal at their national championships so he was happy but it was still sad for him to know that this was his last college race. Heāll graduate next weekend but I think today was a bigger transition for him. These four years have gone so quickly-I can still remember leaving him standing outside his dorm and driving away after helping him move in.</p>
<p>See you next weekend, momofrower. (My DS does know your DS.)</p>
<p>Congrats to you guys and the other parents of the Class of '11. Thanks for your guidance this past year. Time for a new āDartmouth alums Parents Thread?ā</p>
<p>Congrats to the kids graduating and parents. The parents thread has been a great help, especially coming from so far away. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice about Dartmouth. I find it so helpful, especially being a distance from the college. Congrats!</p>
<p>Looking forward to my S coming home tomorrow-even if only for 2 weeks! We will
be going for a visit sophmore summer-should be nice up there.</p>
<p>^^Weāll be visiting campus for the Sophomore Parentās weekend too. Daughter came home from Vienna on Saturday and is staying for only 11 days before heading back to Hanover for the summer term.</p>
<p>The funny thing is that they come home, they are happy to see you for a moment then they are chomping at the bit to go back to Hanover and their people.</p>