Sorority recruitment can be so overwhelming! I get it! Having to worry about letters of recommendation can add a whole other layer of stress. Keep reading to learn step-by-step how to get sorority recommendation letters for sorority recruitment and for the sample letter I used when I went through sorority recritment recently.
Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you!! Today I will help you learn exactly how to get a sorority recommendation letter!!
step 1: research sorority recommendation letters for your university
Some sororities no longer accept recommendation letters so be sure to do your research first so you don't waste your time.
If the Panhellenic Council at your school still allows recommendation letters, there will be a deadline for receiving them. This is crucial information. For my university, they were recommended to be sent in before the end of June. Keep reading to find out the best time to start looking for letters of recommendation.
Step 2: Find women who were in a sorority
The best way to get rec letters
The best way is to ask the women in your life who you are closest to. This can be moms, older sisters, aunts, grandmothers, sports coaches, family friends, etc. Find people who know you well and would be willing to help you.
Most of my letters of recommendation were from my mom's friends or coworkers, my friend's mothers, family friends, and my extended family.
Talk to them and ask if they were in a sorority or if they know anyone they would be willing to contact on your behalf to ask for sorority recommendations.
This way is ideal because this means they will know you personally, and these go further than phony recommendation letters from someone you don't know well.
If someone agrees to write you a letter of recommendation, then ask for their contact information, cell number, or email and tell them you will follow up with them to give them your rush resume and headshot.
But help, I don't know any sorority alums!
Another option that has become popular lately is to post on Facebook asking for sorority recommendation letters. Use your sorority recruitment headshot and say something like "Hello! I will be attending ____ University this upcoming fall, where I will be going through sorority recruitment. I am searching for any recommendation letters for the following sororities....." Be sure to list all of your university's sororities.
I know many people who have had their mom do this on their behalf since they are likely connected with more sorority alums than you are. This is a wonderful unique tip to help you find sorority letters of recommendation!
Step 3: follow up
how to follow up
Follow up with the person who has agreed to write you a sorority recommendation letter, thank them again, and send them your headshot and rush resume.
The best way to do this is in an email because it is considered more professional.
I used a graphic at the top of my rush resume, so I included it at the top of my thank you note to provide a cohesive appearance. These little things make a difference. I used Google Docs to type out my thank you note, and I made a quick logo on Canva, then screenshotted it and put it on my Doc.
Be sure to change the name of the person to whom it is addressed each time you send it!!!
I have attached below a sample sorority recommendation letter request. I used this template to send sorority recommendation letter request follow-ups to those who agreed to write me recommendation letters.
Why do I need to send that?
You need to send your sorority rush resume and headshot because the woman writing your recommendation letter will use these to help her write your letter and make it more personalized.
Additionally, she will turn these in to the website where she is submitting her sorority recommendation letter for the sorority to have.
step 4: write a physical thank you note
Before you object, this is the polite thing to do because someone is taking time out of their day to help you.
Additionally, this also helps you! If you have requested your sorority recommendation letter early enough, preferably at the beginning of May like I suggested, then you will have plenty of time to send this as a reminder.
If you send a thank you note around 2 weeks after you sent your follow-up email, then this will remind them to complete your letter of recommendation if they have not already!
Again, it is a necessity regardless of its convenience for you because it is the courteous thing to do. Physical thank-you notes are generally greatly appreciated since not many people do them anymore.
QUESTIONS
When do I start looking for sorority recommendation letters?
This depends on when it is recommended that they be submitted by your university. My university recommends it before the end of June. So it's about a month because I would be going through recruitment.
So I started asking people for letters of recommendation at the beginning of May.
I hope this information puts your mind at ease for just one layer of the stress of sorority recruitment! Be sure to check out my other sorority recruitment posts for tons of useful information like What You Actually Need In Your Bag For Sorority Recruitment and How To Put Together The Perfect Sorority Recruitment Outfits. God's got this! Above all else, remember that sorority recruitment does not define you!
With Love,
Isabella XO
