prefs

How does ranking at pref work differently than ranking other rounds? Do my ranks of the two houses, assuming I get two houses, matter? Or will I get a bid from the house that ranks me higher and that's it?

What if you are at the bottom of their bid list and it fills? How are you guaranteed one?

Your two houses rank each PNM, and you rank your two houses. The algorithm will start at the top of the houses' bid lists to match their first choices with PNM's who have also put them first. If your first choice house has you high enough on their bid list to match with you before they reach Quota, then you will get a bid from that house. But, if your first choice reaches Quota before you are matched with them, then the algorithm will try to match you with your second choice house. If you are high enough on their bid list to match before they reach Quota then you will get a bid from that house. If you are not high enough on their bid list to match with them either, then at that point you would get a bid as a Quota Addition and could be matched to either house. If you only rank one of your two houses and don't match with them, you are out of the running to be a Quota Addition and you will go without a bid at all. The algorithm tries to give Quota Additions to their number one house where at all possible (but not guaranteed.)

Your two houses rank each PNM, and you rank your two houses. The algorithm will start at the top of the houses' bid lists to match their first choices with PNM's who have also put them first. If your first choice house has you high enough on their bid list to match with you before they reach Quota, then you will get a bid from that house. But, if your first choice reaches Quota before you are matched with them, then the algorithm will try to match you with your second choice house. If you are high enough on their bid list to match before they reach Quota then you will get a bid from that house. If you are not high enough on their bid list to match with them either, then at that point you would get a bid as a Quota Addition and could be matched to either house. If you only rank one of your two houses and don't match with them, you are out of the running to be a Quota Addition and you will go without a bid at all. The algorithm tries to give Quota Additions to their number one house where at all possible (but not guaranteed.)

Is there a limit on quota additions?

Don’t let the OP scare y’all into maximizing your options (listing both houses) if it’s really not right for you. If there is a chapter on pref day that you don’t connect with and don’t feel even slightly interested in joining, suicide pref the other chapter you have that day (or just drop rush if you don’t like either house). It’s better to just wait and hope to receive a snap bid or an open bid (which is actually easier than OP wants to make it seem, especially because usually multiple chapters offer 10+ open bids a year). It’s much better to do that than be stuck with a bid from a sorority for an entire year and have to wait until your sophomore year which diminishes your chances of getting any house altogether. Take it from someone who rushed, got their least favorite house, hated it, and dropped after initiation due to guilt and trying to “make it work,” so now I can’t join another sorority through COB. Trust your gut and you’ll make the right decision.

I'm confused. This statement was in the email delivered today. "So, while it is possible that a woman might attend preference parties but not receive a bid, we are as sensitive as possible where the potential members are concerned."