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Originally Posted by Tom Earp (Post 1363968) What is so sad, is that many people have misconceptions about Greek Social Organizations.

I can add to this: My oldest daughter was the Philanthropy Chair for her sorority for 2 years. She initiated a campus wide "Cookout for Cancer" with the proceeds going to St. Jude's. This along with one other fundraiser raised over $20,000 for St. Jude in one semester alone. When she was interviewing and applying for jobs after graduation (her degree was PR/Marketing) this was the thing that most impressed potential employers--not her great GPA or the fact that she was in several honoraries. So not only does sorority membership give you opportunities for philanthropy and leadership, but also real experience that can transfer to the job market! I remember also that she was contacted by one company for an interview (she had posted on Monster) because "whoever" saw that she was a DDD and he had some sort of DDD connection!

1. See if your folks would be willing to have some friends over for dinner. Don't let them know they are a sorority. If they can win over your parents, then you should have no problem joining. We did this with one of our brothers.

2. Find a relative thats a greek and get them to convince the folks.

I second this! I am also an officer for my sorority and it constantly impresses everyone that hears about it. I'm also working toward a PR degree and whenever I speak to anyone in the PR profession (those I intern with, etc), they always talk about how the sorority connection and the position within the sorority will get me far in my intended career.

Whether you're going for PR or medicine or education, the sorority experience will prepare you for it in some way. It teaches you so much about yourself and others--you are definitely a stronger person for it.

If anyone doesn't mind, what are the merits?

While I agree that the experience of being an officer in a sorority does help prepare you for a career, I have to say that it does not always pay off to have it on your resume. I work in PR and a number of my coworkers are GLO members, but I do not list it on my resume anymore (I did when I first graduated and didn't have much work experience) because I know that many people DO have a bad impression of "sorority girls." Though other Greeks may see it on my resume and be more inclined to consider me, there are many other people out there that might reject me because of it. It might be different in other parts of the country, maybe in the south it's more of an advantage?

I think membership in a sorority gives you what you are looking for. I had a bad first semester (my school does formal recruitment in the spring) and was looking for close friends. I was skeptical because I didn't drink when I was a first-year student (and still don't) , and I found a chapter that accepted me for that (and still does). Conversely, if you are looking for a bunch of girls to get wasted with, I'm sure you can find that too. It depends on who your closest friends are in the chapter and what you decide to participate in.

As for the money issue, getting a job over winter break would be a good way to put a dent in those first semester dues. It really depends how against it your parents are. It sounds like they're only skeptical/uneasy rather than "absolutely not" about it. Showing your parents that you are mature and responsible (ie by getting a job and by getting the best grades you can this semester) will show them that you are serious about sorority membership.

Good luck and keep us posted with whatever you decide!

Yes. I can't speak for you Northerners, but when I was applying to medical schools down here, one of the main things my interviewers asked about was my sorority experience. One of my interviewers was an AEPi at UGA, and we spent the entire interview time plus twenty extra minutes talking about being greek at an SEC school. I got in.

One of the main reasons on why I'm considering joining a sorority is because I primarily want to bond with others. I'm an only child and have few friends right now, so I really don't get to bond with much people as I'd like to.

I hadn't really thought about it this way, but then again we live in the DEEP south!

There are some men here in our small southern town who were all members of the same GLO at the University of Alabama back in the day...one of them had an idea for a company and talked his "brothers" into backing him. The company grew and seriously almost all of the men who were involved in this save one were these same brothers....the company sold for 35 Million dollars. Those guys were in their mid thirties.....when my own brother starts dissing fraternities as being a waste of time I remind him of these guys:)

I was wondering if anyone here has any helpful tips for rushing. Like as in what and what not to say, what and what not to do, etc. Stuff like that. Can anyone help?

Do a search and look around the Recruitment forum. There are literally 100's, possibly 1000's of threads on these subjects.

IMHO - alot of this depends on whether your parents support you - or - don't support you - or - ARE TOTALLY AGAINST IT - or - are indifferent but just are advising against it -

I say this because if your parents are TOTALLY AGAINST IT and they will "work against" any idea of you being greek, then you need to work on it at home a little bit more. Because, AS much fun as it is and, as much as you CAN get out of it, there are some things that might not be perfect; and if your parents are TOTALLY against it, then when you have an argument with a sister, (petty or not) your parents could go back to "I told you so" mode. And, you need to have them at least "respect" the idea of your choice to go greek.
I hope that made since, I mean, yes, you are a young adult, but if your parents are still "flipping the bill" then they kind of do get a vote (like it or not) and I am sure that EVERY sorority sister knows of another sister that "had to" turn their pin in because of something at home - and if anything goes awry at home (and your parents HATE the idea of you being in a sorority)I am sure that the first thing to be "cut" would be your sorority dues.

I think you should have a full sitdown with your parents over break and show them the greater good. Sororities have strayed away from the typical "Animal House" behavior and are more then ever active in community events and fundraising.

Hope this helps
<3 nicole

Yeah, I pretty much know that I have to talk with them about it.