sorority comments

Most everyone wants the same houses. Very few rushees go into rush not having any prior information about the houses, and rank them based on that days experiences. The higher the house the more competitive, thats reality.

I'm Currently a sister at one of Berekeley's houses, and honestly you have very little pick of what sorority calls you back. You rank the houses after day 1, and based on the houses call list, you'll get a next day schedule. The reason you rank is because if more than 8 houses ask you back, you then get as many that are in your top 8. Most second years and third years dont erally "eliminate" houses on the 1st or even 2nd days. They're just cut by top houses because they're not freshman.

The houses rank, they have a quota of girls to invite back. All the houses are competing for the same girls. There are going to be a big chunk of girls that can have their pick of what houses they want to return to (not what house accepts them with a bid at the end, but what house invites them back) So Sororities compete with one another, and arent left with girls they didnt really want to "invite back" but had to beacause they have to fill up all their spaces for the next event.

Thanks! So, if I'm going to rush as a sophomore, I basically don't have much say as to which houses I go back to the next day?! I was also wondering if it is possible not to get a bid from any house in the end?

Technically there are ways not getting a bid is possible:

Suiciding: You have to actively do something that prevents you from getting a bid. this means that you do not rank the full amount when you are asked to rank (ie if you're asked to rank top 9 and cut three, and you only rank 7 or 8). If you do not attend events without first filling out a conflict form, or do not attend any pref nights. You can also choose not to accept a bid and wait until fall continous open biding (where you would attend events held at specific events after rush, at a specific house and hope they give you a bid. Downside to this is you dont get a bid day event.) If you are a man, you will not get a bid anywhere. They technically cant PROMISE you wont get a bid from anywhere, but 99% of the time you'll get a bid if you choose to take one. Once you accept a bid, you become a new member, and if you deactivate you cannot rush elsewhere for another year (so till fall your junior year)

FFR, most girls get bids. Not everyone. Last year there were maybe 800 rushees, maybe 5-6 hundred got bids, I dont remember the exact numbers. Some of them didnt get bids because no house wanted them, but a big amount also just didnt get bids because they didnt follow rush rules or dropped. but technically bids arent 'guaranteed', as no house will be forced to take you if you are not new member material.

Middle houses are competitive to get in, top houses extremely competitive. As long as you get along with the girls during FFR and follow the rules, you will most likely get a bid even if its most likely to a bottom house. Because theyre less selective and take more upperclassmen

Why are the bottom houses ranked low? I've heard several reasons, from less attractive girls to having minorities to "shady" practices. Can anyone explain in more detail?

Getting into the houses is similar to getting into to different schools within the UC system.

Kappa - Berkeley (undeniably the top, very selective)

SK, DG - UCLA (considered second best, still very selective, have different things to offer than Kappa does)

PiPhi - UCSD (great in some aspects but dysmal in others, still top tier)

AOPi, AXO - UCD (great choice for those who don't quite make the cut for top tier, kinda bad location though)

ChiO - UCSB (same as above only with better location and a more populatar reputation)

APhi - UCI (also mid tier, but often less well-liked than the other mid tiers, less friendly environment)

DDD, GPhiB - UCSC (best of the bottom, ok socially, very involved)

ADPi - UCR (not the most well-liked, unfriendly environment and other cons)

Theta - UCM (generally the least popular and selective, but might be a high choice for people wanting a different sort of experience)

that post below is so creative!! i never thought of it like that & i agree it describes the teirs well too!

Also, a LOT of girls drop out of rush after day 2 beacuse they've been cut from top houses, and would rather wait and try and get a COB bid.

Is getting a COB bid easier?