deferred recruitment?

I suggest going to as many of the philanthropies in the fall that you can! They’re fun and you can get a preview of the houses personalities so I really recommend going to as many of them as possible if you can! Most of them also have unlimited food for just the price of admission so that’s a plus too lol This won’t make or break your rush but if you went to a sorority’s philanthropy it will give you something to talk about with them during any of the rounds. Going to all of the houses will allow you see how the sisters interact with each other and also see who all is in each house because these are required events for active members. So you can see what our chapters are like for yourself instead of basing your opinions on what other people say all semester and going in with insane biases from other freshman who are also not very well informed. They’re also just fun events to go to for pnms who are antsy to be in Greek life!

I would stay away from parties or be very careful how you act. All it takes is one drunken night for chapters to remember you as "that girl". Don't be her! Be friendly and get to know anyone you see in letters. Do not hook up with a bunch of guys. You may fly under the radar at some off campus or lower tier houses during first semester but if you get into any parties where lots of sorority women are, you may shoot yourself in the foot before recruitment begins.

Don’t forget about your grades!! I can’t even tell you how many girls I know who were right around the cut off and had no idea whether they’d be able to even start the process. You have to have at least a 2.8 gpa just to begin the process and only about a third of the houses will take you with this gpa the rest having a 2.9 or 3.0 requirement for freshman. I highly recommend looking at what you need to get in each class to get at least a 3.0 gpa so you don’t even have to worry about not having any shot at certain houses no matter how the conversation goes/ what connections you have/ etc. Having a 3.0 won’t guarantee you don’t get dropped from houses for gpa but it should guarantee you won’t get automatically dropped after first round based on gpa. First round gpa cuts are the easiest to make because it is a gpa “requirement” so anyone who doesn’t meet it simply gets dropped no matter what. Don’t let yourself be this person! In later rounds if it is between you with a 3.0 and another girl with a 3.4 you are still more likely to be cut but a 3.0 will at least give you a fighting chance in every house

Deferred recruitment is more common in the north, the theory is that students change so much during their freshman year that having a semester to settle in, understand the time commitment of your major, get a feel for how you like to spend your free time on campus, etc. makes you more successful as a student and better prepared to join greek life, and they're not that wrong.

There is no limit on meeting and getting to know actives during fall semester. Don't get too sloppy partying in fall, keep your grades up, get involved in an organization or two to get to know actives and to have something to talk about during recruitment ... all that will help with having a successful recruitment.

I don't understand how IU gets away with limiting sorority membership so much by not using the regular NPC way of setting quota with Release Figure Management. How is this allowed?

Ok I wanted to add some thoughts since I’m in a chapter and want to give insight. Ok so, first in regards to partying you don’t have to avoid frats. However you most likely won’t get into one for a while unless you know someone. Welcome week most freshman go to off campus parties. I wouldn’t try to go to a frat welcome week because there may be girls from sororities who may get upset but likely won’t remember you. You also will only be able to get into frats if you meet someone throughout the semester that can get you in. Frats are more and more strict. If you go to one don’t try to stand out and don’t be mean to any girls. Also be careful about sloppy hook ups. You won’t get black listed for going to a party, but you will if you talk to a girls BF or hook up with one.

For grades. Make cut off. After that it depends. Sororities sometimes will and sometimes won’t cut you on GPA. more of a last straw. Like if you were ok but had bad gpa, you’re cut. Also get involved on campus. That’s important for rush

Go to philanthropy events!! They’re a great way to see the houses and get a feel for the girls behavior. And is a good conversation starter at rush during philanthropy round. Plus girls LOVE raising money for philanthropy so they love when freshman come!!

Also if you have any girl in a chapter in your classes, be nice and respectful. Don’t be afraid to be friends with them or bond because you think it might ruin chances. If anything it could help you

Another difference is that you don’t have to rely on recs or high school gpa. Rec letters mean nothing here and neither does legacy status further than what chapters are obligated to do by nationals which does not include bidding legacies. An average gpa could’ve killed you at a southern school whereas here your college gpa is taken and you only need a 3.0 for a chance in every house

Bump for the pnms!! I remember being so sad when all my friends were getting ready for rush and talking about it all summer so I was trying to find any info about Greek life / recruitment that I could. This thread genuinely has a lot of helpful info for pnms so take the advice from actives instead of from other misinformed freshman!!

Bump for the pnms!! I remember being so sad when all my friends were getting ready for rush and talking about it all summer so I was trying to find any info about Greek life / recruitment that I could. This thread genuinely has a lot of helpful info for pnms so take the advice from actives instead of from other misinformed freshman!!

IU does use RFM, you’re using the wrong terminology. RFM is about how many women need to be released during rush parties (to simplify, the more popular chapters have to release more girls). What IU does not use is the standard quota/total system.

As to why not...the sororities keep voting against it. These are still self governing organizations.