Getting cut before philanthropy

Lots of reasons. Grades are a factor and an easy first cut pass. Involvement is also considering as well as how has this person portrayed themselves in available social media. A factor that may not result in a cut but some considerations by the chapter is previous knowledge of the person. It could be possible that a current sister has knowledge of the PNM and will contribute to the conversation if the individual is a match with the chapter. To be fair this is normally to help elevate a person not hinder, but it can happen that way too. Also don’t forget each PNM sends in a video of themselves and some chapters may also utilize those to see how a the PNM presents themselves, some don’t. Ultimately a chapter has to make significant cuts before philanthropy and in some cases can only bring to their house 700ish of the 1400 PNMs to philanthropy. Numbers can be even smaller for houses who are heavily desired, so while it can seem brutal or confusing why a person was cut there are many many reasons. Also not every house does the exact same thing so these are examples and not a finite process for each house. It’s generally a very eye opening experience once the new sister gets to see the other side. This is why it is encouraged to a PNM to talk to their Pi Chi since they will have seen both sides and can counsel and comfort the girls as they go through recruitment.

All of the above is true, but can I just add one thing? A 4.0 is not necessarily a great GPA. My house takes into account how many AP courses a PNM has taken vs. someone who sails through high school getting A's in classes that aren't very challenging. Also there are schools, mainly privately schools, where A's don't mean much. As long as the tuition check doesn't bounce you get an A. Finally, when we are aware of ACT scores we weigh them quite heavily, because someone who has a 4.0 but just a 24 or 25 on their ACT is clearly not that bright. That says as much about the high school as the PNM. Our national has extremely high standards, and we have learned that a 4.0 gpa doesn't necessarily mean much at all.

If someone was valedictorian with just a 31 or 32 ACT, that's not a very rigorous school. Just saying...

Sometimes people are great on paper and in looks but are as awkward as fleck!

Ohemgee!!!! There were two girls who were amaaazing af. On paper. We figured every good house would rush hard to impress them. They were so bad. Just no. No social skills. Weird convos. Beautiful and so smart but I cannot believe they’d end up anywhere.

Yes, brains are just one measure of quality. Some people with 33-34 ACTs are outgoing, likeable and have the ability to put everyone around them at ease. Some are just awful. Our house makes first cuts on paper, but once you pass that test you have to have a good personality, too. And have you ever noticed that some girls look nothing like the photos submitted with their recs? Photoshop certainly is a blessing for them, and a curse for the rest of us. LOL!

It’s looks and reputation. No house is going through grades that closely if you are above a 3.5 you make the grade cut. If you spend any time looking at act score or rigor you are looking for a reason to cut them already.

The majority of freshman women/PNMs each year have great resumes. It’s largely a numbers game. If a house has to cut half the PNMs there will be lots of amazing girls who don’t make it. But these girls eventually find their home.