Too old?
 

I wouldn't go out of my way to let anyone know my age. I was making the rounds at U.Tenn Martin my soph year, checking on a pledge during study hours. I was her guardian angel so we were sort of close. To my horror, she was making mixed drinks in a blender in her room. I didn't get authoritative because I remember being scolded for goofing off myself during study hours, but I told her we had to clean it up etc, before anyone else came in. She told me she was 22 (I was 18) and in so many words let me know that she could handle it. She was an "A" student, and even represented that particular freshman dorm in the Miss UTM pagent. I don't remember anyone mentioning her age during rush. I do remember she was Banana Queen lol. She ended up being more of a guardian angel to me in the long run. We had so much stupid fun. This brings back so many good memories.

Was this the Fulton, Kentucky / South Fulton, Tennessee International Banana Festival?

Its been said before, but frankly it is all about your campus' culture. One of my pledge sisters was 23, and she was a great asset to our pledge class.

Too Old to Pledge
 

Yes!!!! hahaha Busted.

Brooklyn Tia-- I'm right there with you, I'm coming up on 30 and I'm worried sick about fitting in. I will say this... I have met some of the girls in some of the different groups and so far all of them have been really open with me and very understanding..

Too old to join
 

That is a question that I have been struggling with also. I have decided to go back to school to obtain my bachelors as well as become a memeber of a sorority. Me being almost "30" and a mother of two. I feel that maybe I am too old to join. What do you think?:o

I'm assuming your kids are in the under 12 range....call me crazy, but I don't think they would cotton to you blowing off their soccer games or helping them with homework to go to a sorority meeting.

And you are going back to school for your bachelor's degree, period...anyone who goes back to school to join a sorority does not have their priorities straight.

If it's an NPC sorority you want to join, YES. You are too old.

I believe our university requires year of birth. This is so that PNMs who are under 18 obtain parental consent.
Yes, there are such things as 17 year old freshmen. I was one of them. My birthdate fell funny and was always one of the youngest in my class.

How curious! I know that it is not uncommon for those under 18 to attend college (my best friend turned 18 the summer before her sophomene year!) but do you know if birthdate information is distributed to each of the chapters during recruitment or if parental consent is a requirement when joining other (non-Greek) campus organizations?

If the university and GLO do not have formal minimum and maximum age limits, it will be based on an informal, case-by-case basis. We can't tell you if you're too old other than to say what the age norms are in particular organizations and at particular institutions.

I am unaware if it was distributed to other college groups. I do know that on the actual applications, it listed the full birthdate including year. I don't know if this is campus specific, ICS specific, or if there is something actually written in the big green book about this (green book gurus - can you speak about this?)

I can say that when I was the recruitment chair for my org about 10 yrs ago, we had a girl go through recruitment who was 16 (she had skipped a few grades) and I know that our panhellenic provided copies of her parents signing off that she was elligible to rush.

Very interesting but I suspect that it varies based on campus/state/etc.?

I just went to the registration site for our campus and it doesn't request anything other than contact information, year in school, GPA, transfer information, legacy information and t-shirt size (oh so important to Greek life :D). Perhaps the University is then responsible for making sure that all registered PNMs are either legal or have consent - I do not know. Only the information collected during registration is distributed to each chapter (in which case, going back to the original post, members on my campus wouldn't necessarily know a PNM's age during recruitment).

If someone knows of an official Panhel policy regarding parental consent for minors, I would be interested in learning what it is.

"I'm assuming your kids are in the under 12 range....call me crazy, but I don't think they would cotton to you blowing off their soccer games or helping them with homework to go to a sorority meeting.

And you are going back to school for your bachelor's degree, period...anyone who goes back to school to join a sorority does not have their priorities straight."

Quoted from 33girl


Darlin', you have missed the point entirely. Would you have told her to forget going to school in the first place? I mean, perhaps she should be home, barefoot in the kitchen. She has already decided to go to school, which means she has managed her time with the kids' extracurriculars etc. I can't believe your snobbish remarks.

Tell you what, why don't you go back 40 years and go to school to do what women were "supposed" to do...nursing and teaching. That was it.

Also, joining a sorority allows for a social network that later translates in to professional networking after college. This is an advantage to anyone involved, especially someone who may have been out of the work force for a number of years while raising her children.

Go comb your hair and drink a beer. Leave the education to the mature ones who really DO have their priority straight.

MORI...

There are sooo many groups to join on a campus. If a social network with people over the 4 foot height (versus lovely rug-rats at home) is something you are looking for, then hit up your University or College Student Body Building and check out all the groups. Getting involved is crucial in developing and maintaining contacts that will only help you in the future when it comes to the work force, internships, counseling...etc...


Good luck, have fun, be patient, and be persistent.

Chemcat

Mature? I'm 40 years old, you jackass. I don't know what the hair and beer remark are supposed to mean.

If you really think the majority of women going through rush are thinking "holy cow, I need to find the sorority with all the premed majors so I can get a job at a hospital later" you're sorely mistaken. Women - young OR old - join a sorority because they like the members in it. Those who join solely for "professional networking" purposes get very little sisterhood out of it. That's what professional Greek orgs are for. If she wants to "network" she'd be better off joining these groups than a sorority.

Because you obviously didn't read the original post, here is the quote (bolded emphasis mine):

She's the one who said she was going back to college to join a sorority, not me. The way she worded it, it sounds like one of her two primary objectives.

If she's at a school that is largely commuter and returning students, then yes, it might work, but the point is - she is going to HAVE to be certain places at certain times for sorority activities and "Joey has a soccer game" won't cut it as an excuse. Sorry. If she has 2 small babies or toddlers, that's one thing, but older kids who want you to be there for certain events is another.

ETA: Who else thinks it's funny as hell when n00bs come on here and get on me of all people like I just posted all the SEC tiers or something?

*raises hand*

Although my first reaction was, "hmmm, wonder who Chemcat is a sockpuppet for..."

Me! It is espeically funny when it is their first post.

That's what I thought too.

You are the one who has missed the point entirely. I applaud people who go back to school to get a degree. It's no easy feat, especially when you have a family. 33girl's point was that sororities are an additional and substantial time commitment, one that would be too great for moms at most campuses.

The poster didn't even mention if she was going to school full time or part time; if she is working while attending school (and if so, full time or part time), if she is married (if not, does she have full or partial custody), the ages of her children, the type of campus she is attending, the type of sorority that interests her, etc. All of those things will determine her eligibility, chances of receiving a bid, and chances that joining a sorority would work for all parties involved (slim to none).

I was initiated prior to my 18th birthday. My parents did not have to sign a consent for me to rush or get initiated. Of course, that was 1993...maybe things have changed.

"Mature? I'm 40 years old, you jackass. "

Umm..yeah, spoken like a mature woman there.

She mentioned wanting to join a sorority...and asked a bunch of sorority girls about it. To have you lay into her with out any more background on her situation does not reflect what I would expect from a 40 year old. So yeah, you sounded like a youngin'.

My response to her question was more inline with her question that your flippant attitude regarding what her priorities should be. As VIOLET later points out - in a sad attempt to back you up - we do not know her situation, whether she has a hubby, close family, a job or anything of the sort. Do not prejudge, lest you be judged yourself, darlin'.

Chemcat - Sockpuppet for no one. Too bad you think someone would have to put up a facade to face you and your fellow "sisters."

34. Single mother. Kicking ass in chemistry and mathematics. 3 kids UNDER THE AGE OF 12. And would want no sister of mine, to be anything like you.

^^^Don't believe.

Congratulations, Darlin'

This reminds me TOO MUCH of REACH THE ARBONNE!!!

Let me expand on that a little. I pointed out those factors because there are a very limited "alignment of the stars" where I think a mother would be able to feasibly join a social sorority.

I'll assume, perhaps incorrectly, for the sake of argument, that the poster is interested in NPC membership.

If she were going to a commuter school with lots of non-traditional students, not working (or working less than 20 hours a week), which presumes she is married to someone who is providing, or living with family who is providing, has significant help in caring for her children, then MAYBE.

If she is going to a big flagship state school, working more than 20 hours a week, and not getting any help with caring for her children, it's not going to happen.

NPC sororities require potential members to be full time students, so if she's not a full time student, she won't even be eligible.

The makeup of the campus (ie how many non-traditional students) will determine how realistic it would be for her to be considered. She would not have a shot at a campus that caters to traditional students.

I just don't see how anyone could possibly manage class + homework + studying + work + sorority obligations + kids + household chores. Oh yeah, and at least 4 hours of sleep per night would be good.

This isn't likely to be a matter of time management. Let's just be blunt that unless this is a very non-traditional campus, a bunch of 18-21 year-olds aren't likely to want to hang out with a 30 year old, and they get to pick.

Yep, exactly. We did have a 29 (I think) year old PNM on GC who joined an NPC at a small state school. But she wasn't a mom. And her case is pretty rare.

A sockpuppet would know how to use the quote feature, wouldn't it?

I actually thought about that too. But, maybe it's a sockpuppet that knows we would think that, and doesn't use the quote feature on purpose to look like a n00b.

A smart sockpuppet...

Irish is right on target with her last statement.

Which is why a referral to other groups is more of a productive statement than righting her off as having her priorities out of wack.

*sigh* You girls are sad.

Obviously not kicking ass in English.
The one about you being a smart sock puppet?:p

About Irish's "last statement."

..not the one about the sockpuppet, mindyou...bout the reason why a 30 year old would not be accepted...

As it has been said before, non-NPCs should not be the back-up when someone can't join a NPC organization.

A 30 year old lady should worry more about completing her degree instead of wondering whether she should join a group of 18-21 year olds. That ship has sailed.

That you are a smart sockpuppet? Oh.

So irishpipes is correct in saying you're a sockpuppet?

Nice!

Most people won't admit to it :)

Keep reading princess...or are you one that chooses what she will out of a conversation in order to fit your (lack of) arguement.

Chemcat ... I hate to butt in but you might want to check the list of posts on this thread. I believe that you were probably referring to two posts earlier. Your statement has inadvertantly made you appear to be a smart sock puppet by your own admission. Sorry!