<p>Who has the best reputations? Who are the tramps? The party girls? Etc…</p>
<p>Ohio State has a large and active Greek system, and those that go through recruitment should look at each house with an open mind. In EVERY house there will be partiers, geeks, scholars, community service do-gooders, etc. Stereotypes and tent talk is largely inaccurate.
If you are the potential new member, worry about getting recs for the houses rather than worrying about a house reputation. Have a great resume, recs for each house, no embarassing facebook information, etc. Behave with grace at parties and events before official recruitment. Join clubs and organizations on campus. Know that you will need to be respectful to all the houses even if you are not interested in that particular house (because if you are rude, houses do talk), and be genuine. If you maximize all your options (don’t cut any house from your list) you will be in a good position to get a bid. Attend the pre-recruitment events so that you can get to know the sisters before the January recruitment. There is no “best house” or “worst house” from a members viewpoint. It is a house where you belong, and a place where you are wanted.</p>
<p>I’ll agree with that…to a point. But come on, Greek Life is about who you are associated with, good or bad, and unfortunately “stereotypes” aren’t too far from reality. I am trying to keep an open mind but if a sorority has a certain stigma hanging over it’s head…I want to know. Because your right, a “house where you belong”, particularly in Greek Life…is a true statement. I just want the good the bad and the ugly…so if anybody out there can give me the straight talk about the sororties at Ohio State I would appreciate it…</p>
<p>If you are not yet on campus, it is too early to be forming opinions. If you are going through deferred rush in January, you will hear plenty of talk about reputations. Will it really matter if you find out which house is the “pretty” house or the “trampy” house if they cut you after the first party? Also, reputations can change drastically from pledge class to pledge class, so the impression that someone had from 3 years ago could be very different from reality. </p>
<p>Also, and you will find out if you spend any time on greekchat, people in the houses may then make it a point to find out who this person is online and go out of their way to check out your other posts. Why would you ask a bunch of strangers about the reputation of these girls rather than just meeting them and making up your own mind? Is being in a house where you are wanted and fit in what you want, or do you just want a “popular” house? If you get cut early from the house that you hear is great on here, will you just drop out of rush? If image is all that you care about, then don’t bother going through recruitment, because you don’t want sisters, you want letters.</p>
<p>I ask a bunch of questions for the same reason a boss does an interview and then takes letters of recommendation from “strangers” and goes on their opinion of who to hire or not. I come from a “Greek” household, my parents are part of greek life so I know the pride they take in their individual chapters as well as their national charter…BUT they have even told me, some of their chapters unfortunately have bad reps on other campuses so be wise in your decision. I mean lets be honest, rush is great until you tick off a sister over something stupid and then your done anyway…very few “rush” initially, whether frat or soro, with the foundation of the orgainization at heart…I think you grow into that mindset, which is a good thing. My whole point is, I don’t want to be associated with a bunch of coke tramps, or party girls, geeks or whatever IF that is the general consensus…UNLESS I know that going in and I MAKE that choice. Yes I have spoke with a few sisters but what do you think they are going to tell me about their respective organizations? I am assuming your “greek”, so you understand, as well as I do due to my parents, the long term positive implications of membership…“membership does have its privledges” so NO it’s not all about letters, IF thats what I wanted I could go the legacy route…all we have is our reputations…that’s all I am asking…</p>
<p>My D, a sophomore, is in a sorority at Ohio State. I believe MizzBee has provided you with excellent advice. As a pledge, you will spend time in the houses and will be able to formulate your own opinions. Those are the ones that matter the most. Not what others have to say. I think it best not to go in with formulated opinions. They can jade you and possibly lead you to viewing houses in a misinformed way.</p>
<p>Ultimately, you will be in a house that fits you (and you them).</p>
<p>Ok…I guess I need to dig into it a little deeper with the sororities themselves…</p>
<p>Right. The more time you spend with each house you’re invited back to, the more you’ll be able to figure out if they’re right for you and vice versa.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>dd in a sorority at OSU. So looked forward to formal rush and had a horrible experience. hubby and I both greek but my sorority not at OSU. Got rec’s for almost every house. Cut first period from three houses with rec’s, so it doesn’t matter if you have (all friends chewed their houses out…what a waste of time if they don’t even use). </p>
<p>I came from largely greek univ where rush, even 20 years ago, was pretty scientific as far as scheduling and tabulations go. OSU’s rush is poorly organized…first of all, during winter, they cram everyone into a classroom building with 40 rushees and only 12 members so each member talks to 5 rushees at a time for 15 min…no one tells the on campus eateries within walking distance to expect big rush…so 45 min wait, with food on the run, barely eaten, then back to work. Do all 14? houses in one day (ugh!), then go again Sunday to 2nd round at houses (again, winter so coats, boots, etc). Don’t get invites back until Friday for Sat’s 3rd round then pref right away on Sunday, all in one day (up to 3 parties). Bid day MLK day. It’s exhausting and hard to be social.</p>
<p>dd suicided, and was cut…then gets call on bid day…where are you? mistake made and wrong names run through…she tells them no thanks (was just tired of it all), but goes through informal a few weeks later and decides to join same group. Loves it, involved, has office, living in house next year…</p>
<p>So my advice is to take it for what it’s worth. dd stuck it out but didn’t like her choices after each round…and then ended up happy, so who knows? Almost all the houses open rush afterwards for 1-2 spots and again in fall for those who drop out, flunk out, etc. They are expecting most to take quota this year but dd has heard talk of new sorority addition for next year.</p>
<p>you’ll know if you’re hanging with geeks, crackheads or tramps…they don’t hide themselves very easily! Every house is going to have outliers so don’t judge based on one person. If you make a big mistake, you can drop out before you go through initiation, if you’re interested in pursuing another house.</p>
<p>I had heard the same thing that rush was a complete cluster…I don’t know if that is a recent course for rush at OSU but I guess it is something that can easily be fixed if the right people work it. I had also been told that you have certain houses jockeying for top position in interviews…which I guess that can be expected…just like in business, you want to go after the best people…or least hope that is the intent. I have heard so much about various sororities, bad and good…particuarly a few that are of interest…that’s my biggest reason for wanting some straight talk…so if anyone has the time to engage in a frank conversation, if they choose privately, I would appreciate it…and I really appreciate the comments dd928…thanks…</p>