sorority comments

What exactly is understood by "looks"? Do they judge you for being naturally pretty or just for how well groomed and dressed you are?

Yeah, "@Freshman" is a bit more accurate. By involved I meant in high school, sorry. That shows your leadership potential. But in terms of college stuff, they want a fair/medium amount of involvement.

And looks.. it's both. Being well groomed is important because you represent your chapter and it shows you care about how you represent it. But being naturally pretty doesn't hurt. Just try to look your best, both during and after rush. Most sorority girls, particularly in top and middle houses, are prettier than the average girl, when their natural beauty and grooming are combined.

Houses with best looks, but less personality: Kappa, Pi Phi, SK, APhi

Houses with best personality (nicest or most fun etc) but less attractive: GPhiB, ADPi, Theta, Tridelt

Houses that are well above average in both looks and personality, but very best in neither (well rounded but not perfect): DG, AOPi, AXO, Chi O

Show interest, but don't overdo it. It's good to show that you're interested in a house, but don't look desperate.

To Continue his list:

DO NOT bash any fraternity or other sorority. You never know what house the girl who's interviewing you's boyfriend or best friend is in.

Do NOT discuss food or academics the whole time. These are boring topics. Top houses want social girls who can carry a conversation about more exciting things.

DO NOT: wear clothes with holes/stains/rips/tears.
Also, make sure that when you are wearing your sundress for the second day that your shoulders are covered with a shawl or cardigan.

IF YOU CANNOT WALK IN HEELS: DO NOT WEAR HEELS. If you fall/complain about them, it makes you look a lot worse than if you wore flats. Some girls bring a tote bag with flip flops/flats and switch off when walking to houses. (AOPi is WAY WAY Up the hill)

Also: People first judge you on your hair and your teeth. Make sure those are well kept. Yellow Teeth=BLERGH

Which houses are going to be more popular and harder to get into this upcoming fall? Can anyone list some pros and cons about the houses? Like what makes people want to join and what makes people not want to join?

Pros and Cons are best defined by tiers: The top houses are most popular while mid houses are less popular.

Top Houses: (Kappa/Sk/DG/PiPhi)

Pros: They mix with the top tier frats. The girls here are considered to be more popular. They have good house Locations (except maybe SK). They dont really have spring recruitment, which is good because thats always really time consuming to prepare for. They have really pretty gear/letters.

Cons: Pi Phi have a really negative Stigma. High dues, and the girls here are usually rich. You'll be spending a lot of money on costumes/outfits. Top houses have the weakest sisterhood and they are more likely to haze you (though I cant say for sure which houses do Haze [though Pi Phi does haze]) These houses are considered to be on the less classy end (Except DG, which is really classy) They dont shower their new members in gifts.

CORRECTION; I ment to say while the lower houses are less popular. The rankings on the left really determine "popularity".

MidHouses: AOPi/AXO/Chio/APhi

Pros: Pretty but not hot girls. Still mix with higher end frats. They're pretty classy/polite (more so than top frats). They'll probably be really popular this fall, especially AOPi. No Rumors of hazing here, which is good. Not sure about their new member process though. They have a really CLEAN reputation amongst the Greek Community.

Cons: They're all pretty badly located. They usually participate in Spring Rush though not always. APhi is rumored to be treating their less pretty sisters badly (ie they cant go to events/wear letters/dont help with FFR) They're also known to be less involved/social than the top and bottom houses (they dont do Derby Days or Greek Week) ChiO has the highest dues of all the houses but the rest are fairly affordable (houses have change dues this fall. I know my house is increasing dues slightly

Lower Houses: GPB/DDD/KAT/ADPi

Pros: Believe it or not, there are several pros to joining a lower house. One is the lower dues. GPB and ADPi have two of the best locations on the row, and KAT (Theta) is closest the campus) These houses are always really really involved in Greek Week/Derby Days. They usually SHOWER their new members with gifts. They DONT HAZE (Exceot ADPi, see bottom) Strongest Sisterhoods.

Cons: Mix with mid/lower frats. They tend to be less of Partiers, though all houses have multiple exchanges every weekend: just not a lot of girls go. The girls are considered to be less attractive, and therefore are less popular.

EXCEPTION: ADPi is known to haze/treat their new members really badly. They will be last on every PNM's list. I'd do Fall COB before I'd join ADPi.

In terms of difficulty of getting into houses, top ones are usually pretty hard. Even middle houses are difficult to get into, but if you're pretty or well groomed, it helps. Bottom houses unfortunately are known for taking the PNM "leftovers", because top houses get first pick, and middle houses get girls that are still "typical sorority material" but either 1) don't quite make the cut for top, 2) aren't interested in top, or 3) don't fit into the all blonde, all freshman profile of the top houses but are otherwise still competitive. Obviously though it depends on the specific house.