Letters of Recommendation A letter of recommendation, also commonly referred to as a “Rec,” “Reference” or “RIF,” is a recruitment information form completed by an alumna of a sorority. The purpose of a letter of recommendation is to introduce a Potential New Member to the alumna’s sorority chapter at The University of Alabama. An alumna may find a copy of her sorority’s recruitment information form in her sorority’s national magazine or on the national organization’s website. She can also call the inter/national headquarters of her sorority to obtain a copy of the form. Keep in mind, the alumna writing the letter of recommendation does not need to be a graduate of UA, she only needs to be an alumna member in good standing of a sorority with a chapter on UA’s campus. While letters of recommendation are not required to participate in recruitment, PNMs are encouraged, if possible, to reach out to sorority alumnae and secure a letter of recommendation for each chapter participating in formal recruitment. Letters of recommendation for each sorority should be sent directly to the sorority’s local chapter, unless otherwise specified on the recommendation form. For your convenience, the chapter mailing addresses for each of the sororities at UA can be found on the next page. Please note that neither the UA Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life nor the Alabama Panhellenic Association have access to individual sorority recommendation forms and as such cannot obtain them for Potential New Members. Furthermore, while handwritten “letters of support” may be commonplace in Texas, many of the sororities at The University of Alabama do not accept or recognize “letters of support.”
Helpful Hints
When asking alumnae for letters of recommendations, it is customary to supply them with a stamped and pre-addressed envelope. You also may be asked to include the following items to assist the alumna with completing the recommendation form: (1) a copy of your resume, (2) a copy of high school or college transcript, and (3) a photo of yourself. We suggest a 4x6 headshot; senior portraits work great. Lastly, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure UA has an official copy of your final transcript, as this will be the official grade point average (GPA) shared with each sorority. Please ensure that a certified final copy of your high school and/or college transcript is sent directly to the UA Admissions Office no later than August 1, 2014. All final transcripts should be mailed to the UA Office of Admissions at the address below:
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The University of Alabama Office of Undergraduate Admissions P.O. Box 870132 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487