I agree. It's a completely different stage in life even without a wedding ring and a baby seat in the car.

http://blog.b92.net/arhiva/files/ima...of%20worms.jpg

You'll understand after a little more time here. ;)

God's Nightgown! As an AI initiated 2 years ago, I now begin to cringe everytime I see the "Maybe you should consider AI" or "You can Always AI" posts that pop up.

I was fortunate with my experience as an alumnae initiate. I didn't go searching for it (I actually didn't know AI even exsisted) and now from the persepective of having been initiated and my experience as an active Alum, I don't see it as a fall back plan for women who don't have a successful rush. The experiences are totally different...

Just my 2 cents from the AI perspective...

Just a positive note to the OP, I came into my chapter through COB in the fall of my soph year. The class was made up of more upperclassman. We did have a NM who was re-entering college to pursue a Bachelor's. She like you had an Associate's, but after working for a year, decided to change career paths and go to college.

Now she was only 21-22, if I remember, so the age gap was not as large, but she did fit in well with our pledge class. It was different, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

I conclude by saying that was a few years ago and our campus culture has changed dramatically, so today it probably won't occur, but at the time she was just another welcomed addition to the sisterhood.

Haha rock on, let's pretend AI doesn't exist right now.
OP are you saying you want to join a sorority so you can relate more to the young adults in your line of work? That makes you sound like Alexandra Robbins (hisssssss!)

Whoa guys, calm down! Breathe! I don't know much about AI, it was just an innocent suggestion AND question. And I guess I need to go re-read the thread, I didn't realize she had an unsuccessful rush and was trying again, etc. I don't see it as a fall-back at all, just a way for a woman who missed out on her collegiate sorority experience for whatever reason but still wants to get involved, not that they got cut 3 times from their top choice so they tried a local alum group. I get it!

I think she was trying to point out that since she works with younger adults, relating to younger sisters would be easier for her.

Ok, let's all get on the same page. UWO_2007 has an associate degree. That is NOT the same as a bachelor's degree, so all the questions about "can someone with a bachelor's degree pledge" are moot. And ya know what? I'm sure there are sororities out there in nontraditional environments who HAVE pledged women who already have a bach degree...because they liked her and wanted her to join. If a sorority wants you and you want them....they will usually fight for you, including going to their nationals and the school and asking if it's OK. If they just say "aw shucks, you can't pledge" and don't pursue it further...well guess what? THEY DON'T WANT YOU THERE.

From all I've heard about the UW schools, and from what GCers who are alums of those schools say, this is NOT a traditional envirnment. She's not at Ole Miss or LSU. I doubt everyone pledges first semester freshman year.

Now, on the other side of the coin...UWO_2007, I think you have to stop seeing yourself in the "counselor" role if you want the sororities to accept you. I mean, I'm 40, one of my good friends is 25, and we interact on the exact same level...I certainly would never refer to her as a "young adult." It's kind of condescending. I don't think you are meaning to do this, and maybe you aren't in real life, but your posts are coming across a little like that. If you think you'll really enjoy the majority of sorority activities then that's fine, but you're not going to be thought of very highly if you're always the one acting "older and wiser." You're going to be the 30 year old buzzkill.

Don't worry, I think every knows that. That's why I said, "You'll understand after a little more time here." When you have lots of time to kill, you can peruse some of the sorority recruitment threads and see the trainwrecks that can ensue at the mere mention of AI.

Thank you, 33, I think that was the point I was trying (unsuccessfully) to make!

So after all that, let's get back to the original situation -- UWO, wasn't Pref last night? Did you go to the houses you weren't feeling at first? How did it go? Did you rank or walk away? I'm assuming today's Bid Day -- update when you can!

(and p.s., the bottom line is, things usually work out for the best and the way they're supposed to in the long run, if for some reason you don't end up in a GLO, it's not the end of the world and there are plenty of other ways to get involved on campus -- but if you did and you're happy, all the better!! :))

Yeah, what she said! :D

And the reason I don't know much about AI is because ZTA doesn't do it as much as other orgs so we just don't hear about it that often. But thanks for pointing out my lack of knowledge on the subject, I appreciate it. Some others had a little more tact and PMed me to explain why everyone's so upset about it and it made a lot more sense to me after they were kind enough to do so.

You may be a little too sensitive for GC. Nobody here has gotten upset with you at all compared to what can happen, same goes for your letters on bid day thread.
BTW, I will also be tactful. Go read the locked threads in the AI subforum. Seriously, it's a good time.

Tonight is Pref night. I got the max # of invites back for round3 (3), and the max invites back for tonight (2). I did go to them all. I didn't walk away. I went into this with an open mind knowing with my age being a disadvantage. Overall, I'm not having a bad recruitment. I've enjoyed every night. I wasn't upset that I didn't get invited back to my #2 & 3, just felt weird because conversation wise it went smoother there than #4 & 5. I had a good time with all of them... but just like everyone else, there was rooms I was more comfy in, but I didn't hate any of them.

Um I am not sure NPC has such a rule--I didn't think there were any "rules" when it comes to AI??

But back to the poster--I totally agree with 33. If you go in thinking that you're going to gain some experience as a "counselor" you may not be what the sororities are look for. No one wants to join a sorority with their mom. You have to do this because you want the sorority experience--because you want to do service, be a leader, get involved on campus, otherwise its not genuine.

If being an advisor is something you're interested in, there are other ways to get there.

That said, I have worked with groups in two instances where there were members that were older than me (in their 30s and 40s). They have been successful because they understand that they are members just like the other sisters--they don't try to take over things. I have appreciated them because they don't normally "do drama" so they help difuse situations, without being too mom-like.

Good luck tonight.

Good for you! Having a full slate of parties says it all, IMO. If your age was that big a stumbling block, I doubt you'd have 3 pref parties to go to tonight.

You're doing the exact right thing, minds change (frequently) throughout recruitment and where you felt good at first is not necessarily where you end up feeling the best at the end. It won't surprise me if you end up at one of the 2 chapters you felt "weird" at originally and are back here telling everyone how much you LOVE it and are so glad you made the decision you made in a week or so.

No matter what, have fun tonight and update tomorrow!

I felt a little attacked because withint 5 minutes of me asking a question, there were several posts. And like I said, I had some people PM me about it to help clear up my confusion. Believe me, I'm not too sensitive for intelligent discussions, but I am bothered sometimes by how quick some people jump on other GCers. I'm not the only who has felt this way I'm sure...

I had never heard of it before (I wouldn't do it personally) but it was something I learned that I didn't know about.

I knew what it was, but not that it was necessarily "taboo" subject matter. This thread isn't about AI though, it's about a PNM's experience, so... with that being said... Good luck tonight, girl!!! :D

And how could you have known? I am sorry you felt jumped on--unfortunately, that seems to be a trend on GC lately.

Good luck UWO!!! I hope you find a home where you can be comfortable!

It's not been "lately"...in fact, I think people have been a whole lot more civil lately, with a few exceptions.

I would say that it has something to do with certain people (me included) have a reputation for "jumping" people, so we can't even post something negative in a plesant-as-possible manner without it being construed as an attack....EXCEPT the people who are complaining of being attacked are new and don't know who the generally snarky ones are.

NPC has absolutely NO rules which would address membership eligibility for any group. NPC is more like the United Nations (except with less power). ;)

Alpha, you're probably right on that point. I'm sure as I spend more time on GC, I'll realize what's an attack and what's not ;)

I was given this info by a LC. Certainly not infallible.

for those of us that are greek challanged... what is an LC?

LOL. Leadership Consultant. Usually just-graduated alumna who travel around and support chapters for a year.

And Alpha's right, they are most definitely NOT infallible... but usually quite pleasant ladies! ;)

Best of luck to you tonight UWO. I'll be thinking of you as I help out during another recruitment

Oh, I loved our TLC that we had my senior year! She used to come out to parties with us and was really a lot of fun and definitely set a great example. I would have loved to do something like that myself, it looked like a lot of fun, minus sleeping on dorm room floors :p

(She used to go out to parties with you but she still set a good example? hmmm I know its possible, but I would think this would be a no-no? Maybe not!)

I know, it sounds contradictory but she went out to fraternity events with us - like we were supposed to do during recruitment, and showed us how to set a good example while still appearing and having fun.

Haha, I misread that and thought you said that she... showed [you] how to set a bood example while still appearing to have fun.

LOL, no appearing fun and having fun at the same time. It can be hard to do in a sorority while still setting a good example for PNMs and NMs at any party you're at.

pref night
 

OK... I can't sleep... and I can't wait until tomorrow! It's going to drag on forever!!!!

Did you like all three chapters or any one in particular (meaning did you still not feel as comfortable with D and E or just still with A?)?

Best wishes to you!!

Do you know which chapter you matched with before you go to bid day festivities or do you find out right there?

I find out at about 20 to 6.... Bid Yell starts at 6....

yes, I did end up feeling better about one of 2 that I didn't initially feel great about

Try not to be too nervous as you wait to get your bid!