Hi! I've been reading these forums for a while, but I finally have to put in my 2 cents.
I will be rushing this fall at an SEC school. It's not as competitive as Ole Miss and Bama, but an SEC school none the less.
I had a lot working against me. I will be the first in my family to go Greek, and no one close to me/my family is in a sorority. I am also a minority. I don't know anyone at the school I will be attending. This is why it was very important to me to get recommendation letters.
I began the process just like you. I felt as though I had exhausted my options. I needed 15 recs and had no idea where to get them.
First, I began by e-mailing to all of my teachers. (I didn't do this until the summer. BIG MISTAKE. If I could go back, I would have spoken to them in person before school let out.) I was able to get one really strong rec.
Next, I asked my parents to ask their co-workers if they were alums. My parents both work in male dominated industries (government), so that didn't work. Luckily I got a lot of "Well, my sister's brother-in-law's cousin was" type of thing. I asked my parents to provide them my e-mail if they were not comfortable giving a stranger their phone number. I got a couple of recs this way.
I still needed about 10 rec letters. This is when I began contacting alumnae chapters. I found the contact info for alumnae chapters in my state and in the state where I will be attending school. I come from a relatively small town so I expanded my search to the whole state (The worst they can say is no!).
It took a lot of time and effort, but through this process I got recs for every sorority. I did get several rejections, but for the most part everyone I spoke to went out of their way to help. I have pretty good grades and an impressive resume, but the comment I got most was that it was impressing that I was being proactive in my situation.
My advice, from PNM to PNM, is..
1. Call the alums, if at all possible. At first I felt awkward doing so, but if they've listed their contact info online it is for a reason.
2. If you e-mail, be very gracious and acknowledge that they are doing you a favor, not the other way around. Offer to set up a phone call, coffee date, or Skype session. Show that you are making an effort!
3. Have a resume ready. If they are offering to help, you don't want to keep them waiting while you throw one together.
4. Ask if they want your resume and photo via email or mail. Make it as easy for them as possible.
5. Send a hand written thank you note (or email) ASAP. Make sure you send them an update after recruitment, too!
Sorry for rambling! I just wanted to share that what these ladies are saying is very true. It is possible. Best of luck
