rush spring 2014 or as a sophomore in the fall?

As a current member of the greek community, I advise that you wait until the Fall to rush. Each house has a certain quota they must meet, so, for spring recruitment, most houses should already know prior to recruitment the exact number of sophomores they are able to take, whether that is one, two, three, none, etc. In the fall, yes, each house probably needs a much smaller number of sophomores than say freshman or juniors, but getting to go through the recruitment process is really eye opening and shows you a lot about each sorority that a website like this can't really fully show. The thing about spring recruitment, is first, not all houses do spring recruitment and it will depend on Fall '13 rush whether or not they do spring. Also, most girls that go through spring recruitment know exactly which one house they want to rush (based on where their friends are, what they saw during first semester, etc.), and coming in blind in the spring, it will be difficult for you to decide which house is truly right for you based on the experience you have during that one house's recruitment events.

I agree with what Anonymous said, but I'd also like to mention that rushing in the spring is not a binding commitment. I don't think it's a bad idea to check out the houses that are recruiting during spring, if you don't feel you fit with any of them you can always rush Fall '14. But you might find a house that you do really like and would be able to join sooner by doing Spring '14 recruitment. Also, I can't speak for other houses, but my own house has never hesitated offering bids to sophomores in fall recruitment.

most importantly, don't depend on sites like this to gather information on greek life. You won't learn anything substantial about a house and will definitely not be able to tell which house matches your personality the best. good luck at cal!

thank you both--looks like i'll be rushing in the spring just in case, but it's a relief to know that i won't be overlooked as a sophomore.

As an active who rushed fall of my freshmen year, I agree with "agree but". Check out the houses in the spring, and if you aren't totally happy go thru fall formal recruitment.