Have you put together Ikea furniture? It can be hard to put together with the directions. Imagine trying to put it together with no directions. Where would you start? Do the little screws go in this part or that part?
For some women, it is the first time they are writing a recommendation letter. They do not know where to start or how to send it to the sorority. It is overwhelming and confusing. To make the recommendation letter process easy, you need to give her the directions. Your cover letter is designed to give her a step-by-step guide. You want to make it as easy as possible for them.
What if you do not write a cover letter? Can it hurt you?
If you decide not to write a cover letter, you may run into some problems.
Problem #1. Your recommendation letter may NOT be turned in on time.
Many colleges have a deadline for recommendation letters. If you do not tell her the deadline, you make her do the research.
Will she go through the extra steps?
Maybe, but her life might get busy. She might forget about it.
If you want to guarantee your recommendation letter gets turned in on time, you need to do the research for her. That way, she knows when to turn it in.
Problem #2. The sorority does not receive your recommendation letter
Should she send the recommendation letter through the national website? Through the mail? Through email?
Again, you need to give her a step-by-step guide with all of the information.
Problem #3. The sorority is NOT sent the correct documents.
Some sororities request a recommendation letter and additional documents. She needs to know what to send to each sorority. You need to give her clear directions.
When you have a cover letter, you make it easy for the woman writing your recommendation letter. All she has to do is fill it out and follow the directions you gave her.
What should you include in your cover letter?
SECTION #1: Your contact information.
This information goes in the top left-hand corner.
SECTION #2: Say hello!
“Dear Mrs. _____",”
SECTION #3: Introduce yourself
If you do not know the woman writing your recommendation letter, you want to introduce yourself. This introduction allows her to know more information about you and write a better recommendation letter.
SECTION #4: Request your recommendation letter
Ask each woman to write your recommendation letter.
SECTION #5: Outline the important details about the recommendation letter
This section is the most important section of your cover letter. You NEED to outline all of the details.
Due date
How to submit the recommendation letter
Does she need to attach additional documents?
SECTION #6: Thank her for writing the recommendation letter
Tell each woman how thankful you are for her writing your recommendation letter.
SECTION #7: Closing
“Sincerely [or Much Appreciation],
Your name”
The good news is you want a lot of white space on the paper. You only need to include a couple of sentences for each section.
If you are looking for a detailed, step-by-step guide for your cover letter and examples, check out The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment. In The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment,
You can copy the cover letters word for word. You receive two examples.
You know how to find the due date and how to submit each recommendation letter.
You know which sororities want request additional documents.
You have question prompts to make introducing yourself easy.
You know how to send the cover letter to the woman writing your recommendation letter.
This book helps you prepare for sorority recruitment and stand out. You learn how to correctly prepare for your college. Additionally, you stand out during sorority recruitment because you will know how to answer the members’ questions and what questions to ask them!
Get your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment ebook
Get your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment on Amazon
TIPS:
Keep the letter short and sweet. Your social resume is a place to spotlight everything you did in high school - Editable and customizable social resume templates.
There should be lots of white space on the paper
Each section should be its own paragraph. Don’t put everything into one paragraph
Include all the information the women will need
Include your personal contact information in case they have any questions
Keep the font simple, nothing too fancy
Address each woman in each cover letter
Keep the cover letter to one page.
Does each cover letter need to be different?
Yes and no. The main difference between each cover letter is you want to personalize it with the name of the woman writing the recommendation letter and information and how to turn in the recommendation letter for that sorority.
When do I give the woman who is writing my recommendation letter my cover letter?
After a woman agrees to write your recommendation letter, you want to send her a copy of your documents and your cover letter.
Do I need a cover letter if I am sending my recommendation letters online or through email?
If you are sending your recommendation letters online or through email, you need to give her a cover letter.
You can either:
#1. Send it to her in the mail
#2. Send her an email (the body of your email is your cover letter) and attach your documents — I recommend this option.
Does the sorority see my cover letter?
Nope! The sorority does not see your cover letter.
Conclusion
A cover letter for sorority recruitment is a letter you write to the woman who is filling out your recommendation letter. It serves as the directions for turning in your recommendation letters.
DO YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK HELP YOU STAND OUT DURING SORORITY RECRUITMENT?
When you depend on Youtube and TikTok for advice, you prepare like everyone else. When you look like everyone else, you do not stand out. If a sorority can only invite back 30% of all PNMs, how will you show them that you deserve to be in the top 30%?
Instead of using advice and being the Overlooked Potential New Member, you want to use a step-by-step plan to gain Rush Crush status -- stand out, have options, and run home to a sorority you love. Click the video below to see how CRUSH [sorority recruitment coaching] can help you create and implement your plan.
You have a math test in two weeks that is worth 90% of your grade for the class. You want to get an A. You are looking for guidance on how to get your A.
First, you ask a friend, not in your math class, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She says, “You need to study.” This answer leaves you frustrated.
Then, you ask your teacher, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She gives you a step-by-step plan.
Who was more helpful?
Your teacher, right?
To get an A, you need to know the right information and have a step-by-step plan.
To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit for the sorority before and during sorority recruitment. A step-by-step plan tells you how and when to communicate.
BUT… why do so many women going through sorority recruitment ONLY use the advice they find on Youtube and TikTok? Does it help them stand out and get a bid?
Click the video below to see how The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment can help you create and implement your plan.