RECOMMENDATIONS
What is a recommendation?
A recommendation, or ‘rec’, is a personal reference of a potential new member provided by an alumna of a sorority.
- A recommendation may include information about your talents and skills or other contributions you can make to a sorority.
- A recommendation may or may not include a picture for identification purposes. The best picture is one that clearly shows your face.
- An alumna has two options for recommendations: she can write a personal letter of reference, or she can obtain a form from her sorority.
Why get a recommendation?
The purpose of a recommendation is to give a sorority chapter the chance to know more about you before recruitment – a more personal introduction, in addition to their copy of your sorority recruitment registration form.
When are recommendations due?
Each chapter has different guidelines- if you have questions about specific chapters, please reach out to them directly!! All of their contact info to contact is at the bottom of this page! If you want a specific date to give those writing your letters, trying to have them in by the beginning of July is great, but the most important part of the process is your resume, PNM personality slide, and the recruitment process!
Does TCU accept baskets?
TCU's chapters are not allowed to accept baskets and goodies from PNMs, and we kindly ask PNMs and their families to refrain from sending such items to chapters. Packets and recommendations are allowed, and we encourage you to put your best foot forward to chapters through your personality slide- gifts are not needed!
Are recommendations required?
If a specific organization requires a recommendation, it is dependent on the organization to obtain the recommendation, not the PNM. If you know the alumna, then you will likely receive a more personal recommendation. Please keep in mind that many chapters no longer consider recommendations on a national level, and many chapters at TCU do not heavily consider them as well. Reach out to the reference contact for specific chapters if you are unsure.
How do I get a recommendation?
1. If you have a friend/relative/teacher who is an alumna of a sorority, she can give you a recommendation. You may be surprised to find out how many sorority women you know!
2. Contact your hometown Alumnae Panhellenic Association. They can help find someone to write a recommendation for you.
3. If your hometown does not have an Alumnae Panhellenic Association, you may contact the Fort Worth Panhellenic Association (www.fortworthpanhellenic.com). Even if you are not from Fort Worth, they may be able to help you with recommendations.
4. Reach out to family friends who are currently active in Panhellenic sororities.
Where do alumnae find recommendation forms?
This differs for each sorority. TCU cannot provide any recommendation forms to fill out. Alumnae may obtain the forms and information from their inter/national websites, their sorority publications, or local alumnae chapters.