It has been great hearing so many words of encouragement. It's obvious your association with a sorority has been a positive influence. Faith, don't stop posting if you think of something else you think I should know.

I know it shouldn't bother me, but I was hoping that people in college would be more open minded than in high school. I guess I shouldn't have expected that because even my AP calculus teacher told my mom he thought it would be great for me to get a fresh start in college--no one would know I was a cheerleader. AAGGHHHH!

It's been said over and over on here, but it really depends on the way you are. I'm currently a chemical engineer and have had no problem balancing my school work with my Fraternity. Ironically, my GPA actually went up the semester I rushed compared to my first semester freshmen year.

It all depends on your study habits.

Worst case scenario, if you feel you are getting bogged down, take a little time away from the sorority. Our saying is that school always comes first and then your Fraternity or Sorority, and it should, but sometimes your love for the Fraternity or Sorority can get those out of order.

You mentioned you are going to a school in the mid-west, so chances are recruitment may not be that competitive or harsh towards upperclassmen. No one can tell you here for sure unless you post your school, or the general vicinity. Anyway, here's my point with the upperclassmen rambling..

If you can stave off your desires to be in a sorority for a year, you may just want to focus on getting a feel for college life. Study hard and get involved with other activities (such as Student Government Association) to learn time-management. I did this and am going through recruitment this year and honestly, I am glad I did. While my recruitment process may be more difficult due to my location, the year I spent focusing on my studies and other activities really helped me out. I don't think I could have handled a NM period along with the classes I had to take. I'm no engineering major by any means, but I am double-majoring with a minor! I got really involved on campus and finally taught myself to be less of a procrastinator. I also got to meet a lot of sorority women from being so involved and got a better idea of what sorority life is like. So while it has been killing me to wait until formal fall recruitment this year, I'm glad I did!

Now please don't think I'm saying you couldn't handle being a freshman and pledging a sorority, I'm sure you could!!! I know us athletes really learn a lot about prioritizing at a young age! But college is a whole new ball game and I just want you to do your best! I love seeing women in male dominated programs, so I hope you stick with it.

Good luck at your new school and going through recruitment :D

Sounds like my current situation as a fourth year undergrad...

Yay, another Theta engineer! I was so incredibly excited to find this thread, I can't not post!

Excellent advice. It's easy for the conversation to continue if you wrap why in... esp. if you're paired with someone who it's their first time recruiting. It'll help her get to know you! (Have I mentioned I'm excited for you?)

Please do let us know how it goes! :D

My pledge mom is a Chem E, one of Bigs is a Civ E, and she was president of our chapter when I was initiated. My first semester living in I was in the next room to an ME (and living with Mom) I'm an E. Science alum... currently playing the part of an ME at work. (Our chapter did have a full gamut of majors.) One of the reasons I rushed was because I wanted to be around more women in my campus life :) which I think has been mentioned... depending on your major or what class you take, you could be one of only a few in your section, or maybe the class will be half women - Materials and Civil used to be that way on my campus when I was there. It depends on the major, and the campus.

I also worked part time. Like many other posters have said, it's all about time management, and knowing what kind of studying a typical course/course load takes to make the grade. You'll get a feel of what works for you.

If you didn't have to study much in HS... see if your school has a course in study skills. At my school it was a 1 credit "attendance" class in the Psych dept (with a ton of sections). It helped me a ton and I wished I had taken it my freshman year. If you figure out what works for you, your study time will be more efficient. Also, the aforementioned study groups are also an excellent help (esp with those lengthy homework solutions).

Good luck and keep us posted! :p You can do it!

I didn't take my FE during spring of my senior year (we were encouraged but not required) so I didn't take it until I'd been out of school a year and a half. Even with that distance from school, other than reviewing some math problems, I passed on the first try... and trust me, I was not the best student, so don't get too freaked about it!

Most engineers are not required to take the FE. The only ones that are required to take the FE are CEs. I do know that all CEs have to pass the FE if they want to graduate here at NMSU. Although every engineering student is encouraged to try to eventually get a PE.

this thread makes me really happy.
i am an IE major at my college.... [look at my name :D ]
and i am working with the College of Engineering here to start a engineering sorority....
then possibly rush NPC
i wish i thought of an engineering sorority last semester,
i would have loved to have other girls to hang out with.

but it's better late then never. = ]

I remember rushing as a pre med major. Now im in a great medical school. But beside the point, I had labs and more work to do. I was able to have positions in my sorority during 2 years lived in the house for 3 years. It was just a great experience. I was also a cheerleader my freshaman year but honestly I could not handle all 3 so I dropped out of that.

I know I had to miss meetings and monday night dinners on occassion because of studing or labs. Sometimes I thought it wasnt fair that my sisters had easier majors but I was not the only one with a science/engineering major but I definitly learned how to manage my time. I was also involved in other organizations around campus. I can say being both a science major and in a sorority has given me a great persepctive.

I know I will mainly be in classes with guys. But it is doable.