How Important are Letters of Recommendation During Sorority Recruitment?
Sorority recruitment is an exciting time for college students, offering the opportunity to make lifelong friendships and become part of a supportive community. As you prepare for sorority recruitment, you may have heard about the importance of letters of recommendation, also known as rec letters. But just how significant are these letters in the recruitment process? Let's explore the role of letters of recommendation and their impact on sorority recruitment.
How Important are Letters of Recommendation During Sorority Recruitment?
Understanding Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are typically written by alumnae of a sorority on behalf of a potential new member (PNM). These letters provide insight into the PNM's character, values, and qualities, helping sorority members get to know them before recruitment begins. Rec letters may highlight the PNM's academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership experience, and personal attributes. Keep in mind, Letters of Recommendation may also be referred to as RIFs or MIS Forms, and it’s possible that they are getting mixed up with Letters of Support. To know the difference, please visit our blog post, “What is the Difference Between Letters of Recommendation, Letters of Support, and RIF Forms?”
Importance of Letters of Recommendation
While letters of recommendation are not always required for sorority recruitment, they can play a significant role in the process (and sometimes, even though you are told they aren’t required, they are strongly encouraged). Here's why:
1. Personal Endorsement
Rec letters serve as a personal endorsement of the PNM by a member of the sorority. This endorsement can carry weight during recruitment, as it provides insight into the PNM's character and suitability for membership. Sorority members may place value on the opinions and recommendations of alumnae when considering potential new members.
2. Insight into the PNM
Rec letters offer valuable insights into the PNM's background, interests, and personality. They provide sorority members with a more comprehensive understanding of who the PNM is beyond what they see during recruitment events. This deeper insight can help members make more informed decisions about extending bids to PNMs who align with their chapter's values and culture.
3. Networking Opportunity
Obtaining letters of recommendation can also serve as a networking opportunity for PNMs. Connecting with alumnae of sororities allows PNMs to establish relationships with women who can provide guidance, support, and mentorship throughout the recruitment process and beyond. These connections can be valuable resources as PNMs navigate sorority recruitment and college life.
Tips for Obtaining Letters of Recommendation
If you're interested in obtaining letters of recommendation for sorority recruitment, consider the following tips:
Start early: Reach out to alumnae of sororities well in advance of recruitment to request letters of recommendation.
Be polite and professional: When requesting rec letters, be courteous, respectful, and appreciative of the alumna's time and effort.
Provide relevant information: Share information about yourself, including your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and interests, to help alumnae write personalized letters.
Follow up: Follow up with alumnae to ensure they submit their letters on time and to express your gratitude for their support.
Who to Obtain Letters of Recommendation From
Sometimes, obtaining letters of recommendation is simple, asking those in your inner circle to do you a solid, like:
Cousins
Neighbors
Friends’ Siblings
Parents’ Friends
Other times, you have to scour the web for ideas on how to obtain Letters of Recommendation.
Here are some ideas to help you track down alumnae:
Belong to a cheerleading, dance, or soccer team? Great! Ask your coach and/or the moms to start a document sharing who is an alumnae of which sorority. This is a good way to hook up you, and your teammates, with some great letters!
Have your mom, dad, aunts, sisters, brothers, cousins, etc. post on Facebook asking for recs! Typically, our parents have friends who really want to help us get started on our next chapter!
Belong to a church group or other religious affiliation? Sometimes, a newsletter or email can be sent out to help identity alumnae who can help you!
What about your friends in college? Often times, they know seniors who recently graduated or had rec writers from when they went through recruitment.
Teachers love to help out! Ask your female teachers if they belonged to a sorority.
Basically . . .
While letters of recommendation are not mandatory for sorority recruitment, they can play a significant role in the process. We seriously recommend them! Rec letters provide sorority members with valuable insights into a PNM's character, values, and background, helping them make informed decisions about membership. By obtaining well-written letters of recommendation, PNMs can enhance their chances of finding the sorority that's the perfect fit for them. So, if you have the opportunity to obtain rec letters, seize it as a chance to showcase your qualities and make a positive impression during sorority recruitment.
At Which Universities are Recommendation Letters Most Strongly Encouraged?
Here’s our top ten (and believe us, there are plenty more) . . .
University of Alabama
University of Texas at Austin
University of Georgia
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
University of Southern California
University of Florida
University of South Carolina
University of Arkansas
University of Kentucky
University of Tennessee
