Okay so I contacted the office and they told me to give them my schedule for recruitment week and they’ll do their best to schedule me around it. They said it happens every year. Thank you all for suggesting this as I didn’t even know it was an option. I really hope I’m able to do both because they’re each very important to me. Only time will tell! Thanks again for the advice and I will let you know how it all worked out (or didn’t :p)

Ahhhhh it all makes sense now. This other group is definitely trying to make you choose between them and Greek life. And honestly...if they are calling it a take it or leave it situation...unless this group has to do with scholarship money or your career, I would leave it.

I think y’all need to go full Norma Rae on them and see what happens. ��

I had this exact situation happen where I missed the first day and sisterhood entirely with about 10 other PNMs (we were there for philanthropy and pref). I'm sure I was cut some places for this, but all of us were really happy with where we ended up. There was a chapter colonizing that year so we also felt like there was a nice backstop just in case, but I think COB would have been an option too as sisters did get to know us during the days we were there.

Kittykathy, if you have an open mind about where you end up, and the GLO is already working to do their best to get to as many parties on your schedule as possible, you should have a shot!

Thank you, I’m feeling a little better about it. I hope it works out as well as yours did.

After I posted earlier, I’ve been reading other comments and I have to say this. I was very active on campus as an undergrad; I was in several clubs and Greek honoraries and enjoyed them all. But NONE OF THEM meant a thing to me past graduation except Phi Gamma Delta which I still love and serve as an advisor, and many of whose brothers I love like my own family. In fact, I tell my undergrads they ARE a part of my family!

I’m not saying to choose ONLY rush, but if you have an organization pressuring you to be loyal and spend your time only with them, will you eventually RESENT them for possibly ruining your opportunity to pledge and make your BEST friends for life?? So there—I said it!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. But I do hope you’re able to experience Greek sisterhood. If you devote yourself to your group’s ideals, it can and will enrich your life forever.

KittyKathy, have you found out how much time your organization will require of you? My concern is this: if they're making it seemingly impossible to rush (because of not wanting you in a sorority), then it might seem like they'll do the same on the other side - require so many hours that you will have to miss required sorority meetings, events, etc. 'I recall you said there are sorority members in this organization but I'm wondering if this new hard-core policy is new so they weren't affected.

I'd check that out because if the time demand means you don't have time for a sorority, you will have to choose. I agree with someone else who said I'd choose sorority life unless this other organization is part of a scholarship or otherwise requisite to your major.

Good luck.

All very good advice. I'd add: or it's something you've been working toward or dreaming about doing since you were 10. Only you know how important this is to you. If it is something that you had to audition or tryout for before you started attending the university, it may likely fall into this category. If so, I'd say defer the sorority.

Since we don't know your organization or your school, people are kind of guessing at what to tell you. Keep in mind that, at most colleges, Greek life is not a got-to-join-as-a-freshman-or-be-excluded-forever. On most campuses, they have fall and spring rush. On most campuses, many students wait and join in their second year.

My son may or may not be rushing this year because his cheer coach has let the whole squad know--for years--that cheer will come first.

Totally agree. I did a lot of things on campus and in Greek system, including high profile positions. None of them have lasting meaning past the college years like my sorority.

Hi all, back with my update! So, because my conflicts were with a university sponsored org, they were willing to schedule my parties around it with no problem. There was only one day when I really had to run straight from one to the other and forgot one of my shoes I’d planned on wearing. Had to borrow shoes from a friend! And I looked absolutely ragged for sisterhood round but I was too tired to care. It was a long, crazy week filled with surprises and disappointments, but in the end I got a bid from my top choice from the beginning! Oh and it turns out there are actually more Greeks than not in my org so it’s not going to be easy to weed us out anytime soon, if that’s the plan. Anyway, just wanted to update everyone and thank you again for your advice!

Very glad it worked out for you.

Great to hear Kittykathy, and congrats on a successful rush and getting your top choice on top of that!!!! Here's to a great year!