Interested in Rushing?

An interest form will be provided at the beginning of each semester so we can get to know you better and contact you about rush events! Check back in at the beginning of the Spring 2024 semester for a link to the Rush Interest Form.

Questions?

Contact Rush Chairs Kellylyn Brinkac (cyq7dc@virginia.edu) or Lucy Brown (jjk2km@virginia.edu)!

Rush: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rush?

Rushing is the formal process by which interested parties meet brother to learn more about the their fraternity, its values, and its activities. Rush typically involves both open and closed events that are intended for brothers to get to know prospective members and vice versa. At the end of the rush process, those to whom bids, or a formal invitation to join Theta Tau, are extended may decide whether to pledge the fraternity.

Who can Rush?

Any student not in their last semester in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia that is in Good Academic Standing within SEAS is eligible to rush Theta Tau. Rushees may also be a part of and rush any social fraternity (IFC) or sorority (ISC) on Grounds, but are not allowed to rush or be members of competitive engineering fraternities or organizations as defined by the National Chapter.

Why Rush Theta Tau?

Theta Tau gives you the opportunity to develop yourself in a co-ed professional and business environment. You have the opportunity to learn skills not taught in the classroom, such as leadership, organization, time management, public speaking, and so much more. Older brothers and Big Brothers are excellent mentors when it comes to learning the rope of navigating undergrad as well as giving tips and trick to success. Alumni, both locally and nationally, are always extending job opportunities from their respective companies to the brothers, and you will often have the chance to interact with them to gain perspective of the working world and life beyond college. They often come back to give talks or as representatives with their respective companies and organizations at recruitments events and job fairs across Grounds. Our common engineering backgrounds create a valuable resource to any brother in need of help with school, not only professionally. For brothers interested in pursuing graduate studies in engineering, management, and beyond, Theta Tau has a network of brothers (including some faculty at top universities around the US) that have gone before, willing to advise brothers to help them succeed in graduate school applications and matriculation.

What can I expect at Rush Events?

Rush events are designed to be simple, low-stress events to help get exposure to the fraternity, and to meet Brothers. Our first two rush events are Information Sessions where our Rush chairs and brothers will talk to you about what it means to be a brother of Theta Tau. Other rush events will be a mix of social and professional events that vary from semester to semester.

Should I expect anything financially?

For the recruitment process, not at all! Everything during this time is free and open to all. We really just want to be able to get to know you as a person and student both in and out of the classroom. We do want to mention for the sake of transparency, however, that starting the semester you pledge (if you are to receive and accept a bid at the end of rush), there are dues that Brothers are required to pay per semester. These are lower than the dues expected for a social fraternity or sorority. Nevertheless, it should be noted that if you are worried at all about being able to meet these payments financially, we are more than willing and able to work something out with you in this regard, and do not want this to be a hindering factor in your decision to rush.

How do I pronounce "Theta Tau"

Usually everyone knows the "theta" part, but its the "tau" that get people. In Theta Tau, we use the Greek pronunciation for "tau", making the word rhyme with "saw". This is different from your typical math course, where you will usually here it pronounced by your APMA professor to rhyme with "cow". This is, again, not a mistake but a grammatical rule of Greek.