Written with love by Alina O'Donnell
Sorority life has been around for hundreds of years. It is a tradition unlike any other that you can share with friends, family, and people you meet along the way. Each sorority experience is unique, and although times have changed, a legacy will always be special. Even if you grew up around loved ones who raved that their sorority was the best of them all, when going through recruitment, having an open mind is essential to finding YOUR best fit.
If you are a legacy getting your social resume, cover letter, and recommendations together for sorority recruitment, you may be questioning whether or not you should list your legacy information. There are a lot of rumors going around that listing legacy information can hurt you (and might even prevent you from getting into a different sorority than your legacy house), and we’re here to set the record straight!
What is a legacy?
Being a legacy means your mom, sister, or grandmother pledged a sorority when they were in college. In addition, most sororities give legacy status to women with stepmothers, but aunts and cousins do not count. They would, however, make great rec letter writers!
Read more about how moms can support their legacy daughters during sorority recruitment here.
How do sororities treat legacies?
Each sorority handles legacies in a completely different way and has their own recruitment policies. Listing legacy affiliations on your social resume is a common practice, and will help the alum writing your rec letters to make the most informed introduction possible to the chapter members of your legacy house.
However, being a legacy does not mean you are automatically “in” or guaranteed to receive a bid to your legacy house. If you don’t meet the GPA minimum, leadership skills, or qualifications a sorority is looking for, they won’t accept you, even if you are a legacy.
submitted photos via @audreyroell on Instagram | Auburn Phi Mu
So...should I list legacy info on my social resume?
Don’t be afraid to list that you’re a legacy on your social resume based on horror stories you might have heard. You shouldn’t hide who you are! Sororities know that you are NOT your mom, your sister, or your grandmother. YOU are YOU! While you may initially feel loyalty to a sorority you are a legacy for because you grew up around it, in reality, that house might not be the best fit for you.
I believe that being a legacy helps get you to a certain point in recruitment, but will only get you so far. When you get toward the end of the process, choosing a sorority should come down to determining where you feel the most at home. If you make bonds with sisters in a house you aren’t a legacy for, odds are they will feel the connection too and will fight for you! Be honest with the chapter members you talk to during recruitment and tell the houses you love how you feel about them, without saying anything negative about any other houses. If you do feel that the house you are a legacy for is the one for you, be sure to let them know!
At the end of the day, listing legacy information on your sorority recruitment resume is a personal choice. Be sure to look up the policies for the school you are attending, do your research, and consult with your local Alumnae Panhellenic Organization for more guidance.
What if I'm not a legacy?
On the other hand, if you’re not a legacy, don’t let that hold you back for one second. When I went through recruitment at TCU, I had no legacy connection and was afraid that I wouldn’t get into a sorority because of it. I have learned that sorority life is for anyone looking to be a part of a lifelong sisterhood and develop meaningful friendships! You don’t have to have a pre-existing connection to get into a sorority—you have the ability to pave your own path. Start your own legacy!
NOW AVAILABLE: OUR SORORITY RECRUITMENT EBOOK!
Want more advice like this? You'll find 50+ pages of completely current, totally comprehensive information about the sorority recruitment process in our eBook, Everything You Need to Know About Sorority Recruitment!
About the Blogger: Alina is a graduate of Texas Christian University and served as a former Public Relations Chair for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. Follow Alina on Instagram: @alina_odonnell
Leave a comment