URM Daughter Rushing at UVA or VT

[Anonymous]

My DD will apply to both UVA (reach for her) and VT (Target for her intended major). She has mentioned an interest in rushing for a sorority. Now, I am a newbie to all this “Greek” stuff, so I really have nothing to offer. We could afford the extra fees and expenses if needed. Nevertheless, I am concerned about how she will be received, if admitted at all. We are a Hispanic/Latino family. Her first language was Spanish, but never struggled with English. She often speaks to me and my spouse in Spanish. We often visit family in Latin America as well. Do any of you have any insight? I try to bring up some of the “not-so-nice” aspects, but she seems to like the “fun stuff” plus the “extra benefits” (networking) Greek Life has to offer. She says greek life in VA schools is nothing like Bama, Georgia, Ole’Miss, etc… type schools.

[Anonymous]

She is right. And this is a good situation to throw her the reins and let her make her own choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD will apply to both UVA (reach for her) and VT (Target for her intended major). She has mentioned an interest in rushing for a sorority. Now, I am a newbie to all this “Greek” stuff, so I really have nothing to offer. We could afford the extra fees and expenses if needed. Nevertheless, I am concerned about how she will be received, if admitted at all. We are a Hispanic/Latino family. Her first language was Spanish, but never struggled with English. She often speaks to me and my spouse in Spanish. We often visit family in Latin America as well. Do any of you have any insight? I try to bring up some of the “not-so-nice” aspects, but she seems to like the “fun stuff” plus the “extra benefits” (networking) Greek Life has to offer. She says greek life in VA schools is nothing like Bama, Georgia, Ole’Miss, etc… type schools.

She should not have a problem, those are large enough systems that there is a variety. The rush process is reciprocal and her opportunity to interview the sororities as well so she should and decide if there is a fit or not, not just take whatever is offered. Plenty of students choose not to join if they don't get a bid at one that is a good fit. Would also recommend doing a deep dive and the plethora of non-Greek clubs that are out there, she may find a great fit and decide not to rush or possibly do both.

[Anonymous]

The racist sororities are not going to give her a bid.

Cast a wide net.

[Anonymous]

If she would African-American, I would say she had a choice between the traditionally African-American sororities and the “white” ones.

Put being Hispanic, and I don’t mean this very disrespectfully, if she’s a student at UVA Virginia Tech, most people will assume she’s white and she’s Hispanic and doesn’t have an accent.

If she’s interested in rushing, she should know that it’s a costly commitment and it’s really about paying to be in a social club and to be in a group of friends. It can be very fun, and very social outing and party oriented, but there is usually a heavy focus on drinking and going to fraternity parties. Only 35% UVA is Greek, but when I was there in the 90s it felt like every social event was related to the fraternities and sororities.

Ask about the costs too. They are not insignificant.

[Anonymous]

There are different types of sororities, some have the same cookie cutter white girl and that's it, and others accept all sorts of girls. It won't be a problem.

[Anonymous]

My DD rushed this spring at UVA. There are 15 sororities, each with a different personality. The one that she is in is one of the diverse so there are definitely options for all ethnicities. She enjoys her sorority quite a bit. There are about 200 people in her house, so you can find your people amongst them pretty easily.

The costs do vary, My DD's was about $1200 first semester and then it should be around $800/semester going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The racist sororities are not going to give her a bid.

Cast a wide net.

I don’t know how VT or UVA sororities would be, but at JMU there would be absolutely no problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The racist sororities are not going to give her a bid.

Cast a wide net.

Which are the racist sororities?
-not op

[Anonymous]

Worry about this when she has both acceptances in hand and needs to decide, should be May 1st, 2023

[Anonymous]

I was just writing a recommendation for my Asian granddaughter who is going through rush in the fall at a college in the South, and the National web site prominently featured an article on their focus on increasing diversity. I’m guessing my sorority is not an isolated case. Looking at the web page of the sorority at her college, it’s already a pretty diverse group.

Most have done away with the requirement for a recommendation from a former member, but it doesn’t hurt to ask around to your friends and see if anyone was in a sorority in college. If they agree to write a recommendation, your daughter should send them a resume, a HS transcript and a photo. The sorority will also ask for social media addresses, so make sure your daughter’s social media doesn’t include stuff she doesn’t want them to see (this is good advice for anyone going to college). Recommendations are done on line now, and it’s pretty easy, so most alumni are happy to help.

FWIW, I had to think about it, because it wasn’t a big deal at all, but I had Hispanic sisters in my sorority in the South in the 80’s, and things have changed immensely since then. If your daughter wants to do this, and you can afford it, I wouldn’t worry about this too much.

[Anonymous]

There is a big push to increase diversity at most schools. After a few horrible years of rush at a big southern school- so bad that in-state moms were telling their daughters to go to the other big state U instead (over rush, yes) - a popular (high “tier”) sorority recruited a girl with Down’s Syndrome and it made the papers. Given my daughter’s experience, this was an obvious PR stunt to prove they’re inclusive and try to defend their process that gained them bad reputation and drive students away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The racist sororities are not going to give her a bid.

Cast a wide net.

Which are the racist sororities?
-not op

The ones on campus with our blonde girls and no one else. Varies from campus to campus.

[Anonymous]

OP ask this again NEXT summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The racist sororities are not going to give her a bid.

Cast a wide net.

I went to UVA, wasn’t in a sorority, and don’t really care for them overall, but this is just stupid.