chi o legacy but mom went to northern school

Yes. And yes.

ChiO is one of the top sororities. They have been at Alabama a long time and have enough legacies they could fill 2 pledge classes.
Being a legacy might get you an extra look from the recruitment team before rush starts, but that's about it.
Be sure you get recs. Polish your outfits, and polish your conversational skills.
And don't focus JUST on ChiO. It was great for your mom at her school, but this is now - you and your school. Find the girls who appeal to you the most. If it's ChiO, great. If not, that's great, too.

Wait until rush and find out for yourself who you like.

The reality is that there are more ChiO legacies going through rush every year than there are spots in a pledge class. The majority of ChiO legacies will be cut. (This is true for many Bama sororities not just ChiO).

The legacies who do get bids fall into one of these buckets:
1. "Mega Legacy" - this pnm either has a sitting sister in the chapter or has multiple ties to the Bama chapter, or her mom is a HUGE alumna (national officer, generous donor, etc), or her legacy relationship is famous (like Pioneer Woman's daughter who went through A&M rush last year).

2. PNM's who have a ton of connections to their legacy house from high school, camp, church, family (cousins, etc). Being a legacy is just "bonus" points for this pnm and helps her stand out even more.

3. PNM's who are highly, highly sought after by all the top chapters because they are just extra amazing anyway. Perfect resume, personality, potential, etc. Again, legacy is just "bonus points" for this pnm who is already high on the wish list.


If you are a legacy who has an average resume (remember, everyone going through rush is very accomplished, has good grades, presents well, etc) and doesn't have many connections in your legacy house, and isn't a "mega" legacy....chances of you getting a bid to your legacy house are slim to none. My advice is to enter rush with low expectations for your legacy house and not to get excited until they've invited you to Pref. Give the other houses a chance.

It is 100% a lie that you will be cut from all the good sororities if you're from the north. Like that is actually the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. There are at least 6 or 7 (probably more) sorority PRESIDENTS from the North (mine included). EVERY house has girls from the North. Now you may be cut from a house like Chi O or Alpha Chi is you aren't from Alabama/well known from a surrounding state/a legacy, but that's two houses out of many. I am from the North....like very North and I had a full schedule every day. I also didn't have recs to a few houses. If anything, not having recs to those houses hurt me more than being from the North. To put it in perspective, an Alabama girl with a bad GPA or poor reputation is going to get cut very quick whereas a cute, fun, accomplished out of state girl wont. You're going to do fine!!!