<p>A good rec looks beyond the transcript. I will not write one unless I meet the person. I like to point out their strengths and passions that you can’t always see on a resume. I recently wrote one about a young lady that dances, cooks like a professional chef and has a tender and loving heart. I spoke to her kindness and initiative, her joyful smile and love of family.
I also refused to write one for a precious snowflake that blew off her meeting with me, acted like a brat in emails in had a mother that badmouthed my requirement to write the letter with all these extra steps. In my earlier days I would have been tempted to write a no-rec, but I am older and more patient.
I look at this women, rightfully, as someone who will be my sister. I want kind, funny, enthusiastic women to join my organization. I trust my other sisters to recognize kindred spirits and pearls in the sea of students. A rec is a way to say that a current member of this organization believes this person deserves a closer look.
As for the EC activities, they can be brought up at a party, but it is good to know about it ahead of time. When pairing up people at parties, it is good to know more than Penny PNM is a business major with good grades. It is even better to know that she raised goats in the 4-H program, has a brother serving in Afghanistan and goes on mission trips to Peru so she knows the country well. That way the chapter has more information when pairing her with actives to talk about the house.</p>