battles for top

Do you really think you'll get an honest answer?

I am the OP. Good point. No, I don't think I will get an honest answer.

What you need to realize is that every house here has their own definition of a "top PNM." The ideal PNM AXO has in mind is different than the ideal PNM that ADPi has in mind. Obviously there are PNMs every year who are the top of the top... These girls are a top PNM but on steroids, from the South (usually), from good families, pretty, social, smart, involved, etc. Now these are the girls who are indisputably top and these girls usually go to an old row house. So, to answer your question, it's very rare that an indisputably top PNM goes new row. BUT you also need to realize that such PNMs usually have connections in certain houses. These types of PNMs are usually from the same hometown as various actives in old row houses. So, it's not necessarily that the new row houses aren't good enough to land one of the best PNMs but rather said PNMs tend to stick with who they know.

So, in general, every house goes after a different type of girl. Every house gives off a different vibe and if a house sees that a PNM could possibly fit well in their house then said PNM can be considered a top PNM to said house.

I know a girl in my Rho chi who wasn't a "top pnm" but was a pretty girl, very sweet, and had great grades. She preffed one old row house, one upper new row house, and one lower new row house. She ranked the lower tier house first and that's where she wound up. Haven't talked to her much since bid day but I always thought it was awesome how she stayed true to herself and went to the house that she felt truly comfortable in. Not sure if I could have been that mature as a freshman if I had been in her shoes. She seems to be genuinely happy and I know she is very involved in her sorority.

The simple answer is yes.

Although certain old row houses are more likely to get the connected and influential pnms considered "top", most notably because this is where their network is likely "in place", this isn't a given

One obvious reason is that they may be a legacy (Mom went somewhere other than Bama) and they want to keep that tradition.

Also, in some respects these people are the last people to worry about their house rank - in other words they don't need validation of their importance through their house selection and letters.

So, for this reason they have the ability to choose freely.

But the truly "top" don't feel that pressure or at least more likely to put other considerations above it

Again, not saying their aren't reasons they are most likely to go OR, but the question was it "always" true that the very top go OR. I believe theanwer is no, not always.

My experience suggests this.....

There may be about 20 "top" pnms. If you wonder who these girls are, here is a good test: if shortly after you meet them someone pulls you aside and says something like, "Just so you know her family is ____, and (that's a big deal because)" , then they are a top pnm.

Of those twenty I'd say 15 to 16 go where you expect in old row.

If the iothers: One maybe two will go to a legacy not in old row; One will make some sort of statement (against Mom/Dad) by not going old row; And two or three will genuinely make a decision to "follow their heart" ( to new row).

I'd say 16 out of 20 go to old row, the other four to new for a reason above.

Agree with some comments above as well.

Allot of this old row obsession is from girls who are "striving", "social climbing", or otherwise need some form of confirmation that they are "in".

These twenty or so top pnms are above that. They are going to have the "important" connections and friendships no matter what house they choose. Can be trendsetters too, not followers. \n\n\n\n\n

This year there is a big battle in state (specifically one city) and it will be very interesting to see if these girls go where they are expected or go where they actually may be a better fit. Watch out for a battle between kd, Tri delt, chi o and alpha chi, and agd for these girls. It's going to be interesting.

Phi Mu and Kappa aren't in contention for these top ones. They just don't have the appeal. New row is just too foreign a place for them-- not that they wouldn't love it. Just the way it is.

Could be tusc-- Gump sometimes goes kkg

It's Homewood, city in between Mountain Brook and Vestavia. Going to be a HUGE battle especially since they haven't had many girls go to Bama recently!