iChuckled

maybe i should have specified. my school is a very big commuter school and everyone lives around

vivalacutie is not overstating the bus situation. the part of miami that FIU is located in is a rough part of town.

vivalacutie, if you don't live on campus and don't have your own transportation, it will be difficult be a member of a sorority. as everyone has said, most sorority activities are going to be held in the evening, and if you can't make the meetings, you shouldn't join.

My little, who went to FIU and did not have a car and commuted from little havana on a bus regularly managed to make meeting and serve on eboard and panhellenic and a whole other mess load of stuff.

However, her biological sister was also an active collegiate in our organization for a good amount of simultaneous time and she did drive so sometimes she did have access to a ride that wasn't the bus. A lot of the time she was on her own though. As her big, I'd take her home when I could and other sisters who lived near her did as much as they could.

Is partying big with EVERY FIU sorority girl? NO. A lot of Miami girls have crazy-strict Hispanic parents who don't understand college life. Still, many of these girls make it work and serve on eboards and stay involved. It really boils down to what YOU want, how much you're willing to tell your parents to back off, and what you hope to get out of it. Some girls find balance. Some pachanga their gpa to shambles, some girls do both academics and school very well, some do nothing but hang out and have bad gpas for it. It's all up to you to remember why and how you got into University in the first place.

YES. There are things you're required to do. When girls ask this question I automatically red flag them in my head because they never make good sisters for this reason: THEY DON'T WANT MORE STUFF TO DO! Every single time without a doubt the girl who takes this perspective at FIU sucks at meeting chapter requirements and sucks at chapter life.

Lastly, my biggest concern is $$. A lot of girls realize (or CHOOSE to realize)too late (even after the 2nd night of recruitment when we have to explain dues) that they don't have the money. If you're not working, you don't have a car, and your parents can't afford to buy you one and you're not rolling in scholarships like my aforementioned pledge sister and her bio sister, this may not be for you. You will be taking a spot away from another girl the groups could look at more seriously or you will cost the chapter time and effort when you're forced to drop. OR you will struggle through the new member period, get initiated, and then stop paying cos you can't come up with the cash and either be disaffiliated or have to own up to your mistake and resign. NO BUENO... -_-

However, still having said all this, I know there is always the chance that you could find an organization that you'd be willing to sacrifice a lot for. It's happened. So go through recruitment (which is at night! so BUS!) and if you're having a hard time coping that week-drop out. And if you don't fall in love, drop out.

Yeah, I hate rude people.

iRony.

LOL @ no one being rude in Miami.

We have cars here. We don't beg people for rides like street bums.

Either make peace with the bus, or ensure that you will be able to have a car at your disposal - but do it BEFORE you accept a bid. It's not anyone's responsibility but yours to get to sorority activities, and if you can't find a way to do that, DON'T RUSH.

Hi, the partying isn't mandatory, but i find that some sororities peer pressure you into partying, mine sure does. if you're really worried get a feeling for this during rush, not all sororities are party sororities. some are.

there are lots of mandatory events, at all times of the day. in my chapter you HAVE to go to weekly meetings, death or illness being the ONLY excuses. then you have additional mandatory meetings weekly if you are involved in any committees, and lots of mandatory events you must attend in order for the sorority to stay accredited. it is a big commitment and you should be ready for one before joining.