which houses value recs?

Also, I don't know how much can be said (I know this is a secretive process), but how do houses make cuts each round?

At TCU ChiO has the most importance on legacies, your mother has to be one. ChiO has their choices done before rush begins. They do everything they can to keep a minimum of 200 girls for the week, so they tell so many girls they are in, really making you feel you are in,going way overboard, and then they get cut! keep in mind most likely a 1000 girls going thru and say 10% are legacies they will make some legacy cuts based on grades, majors, and the strongest and most influential legacies, then Texas residents on pref. They have come up short on their pledge classes on the past few years, word
is out. They are notorious for being the dirtiest of rushers yet seem to get away every year, already up to their tricks. I've heard some really unscrupulous things they have done since may. The chapter is a mismash of girls, the good news you have lots of choices with other really great sororities so don't put your eggs in one basket, gravitate to the groups you really feel a connection! Pledging with the group that you feel an emotional connection is the right group for you, don't force your self into something because of a legacy. No group is like they were years ago, sororities vary from every school as well. What is strong here might note be strong somewhere else.

PNMs need to know this information and take it to heart. There are below the table things with Chi O every year and yes they have ways of deciding before rush. This has led them to drop in the ranks as people are more aware. There are too many other great houses to choose from. As for getting invited to other houses, treat them ALL respectfully and show and interest in each house. It is a honor to be invited back to any house with so many girls they have choices. Try to be yourself in a crazy environment and know the house you end up wanted you. That's what you are looking for. Good luck!

TCU sororities do not haze at all. AT all. We do not tolerate hazing and even a joke about it can lead to serious consequences among PanHellenic.
And I agree, ChiO is very underhanded. Don't be fooled. And don't think that just because you got asked back to your fav house one day you can be snotty and rude to the other houses. We talk. And if you do, you'll just have that house and ADPi (because they can't cut anyone)....and you might end up with just ADPi.

PNM'S need to know the truth. I sure wish I had about Chi O so I wouldn't have listened to anything I was told. There are so many great houses. Be polite and friendly in every house. You may go in thinking I haven't heard of this one or I know I don't want that one. You will likely be wrong! Ask questions about every house and be as gracious as possible. You are the visitor in their house so never be disrespectful. The days will be long, emotional and HOT but you are working to meet your sisters for life. No matter which house you become a member of remember you have a duty to help make it stronger. Good luck and have faith in yourself and you will do great.

Good post

Wish I had been as informed before I went through recruitment. Good advise here

Word to the wise- You can't go by anyone else's experience. Have an open mind about every house. Houses change from year to year with new people coming in and older people graduating. Every school is different too. A legacy is great and it will help you through a couple of steps but whatever house your legacy is to may not end up being where you belong.

Don't say you weren't warned.

I don't know what is with all the Chi O hate...seems like there isn't a post on here that doesn't say they are dirty rushers. I didn't experience this during recruitment and no one I have talked to did either. Oh well, I guess it really does matter who you talk to.

Getting back to the original question, the importance of recs varies by house. Some houses require them in order to give you a bid and others just find them useful to get some personal information. A good recommendation letter can go a long way in terms of the girls in house getting to know you before you actually enter the house. My advice would be to contact the Alum in charge of the rec letters at the TCU chapter and find out what each specific chapters want. A good standard I was told was to get two recs for each house.

To get invited back...just be yourself! Actives want new members that they can be friends. So keep your conversations real and make connections. Have fun!