I pledged as a 20-year-old junior. There are definite advantages to waiting until you're older than someone fresh out of high school. You can gain a lot of maturity between 18 and 20, and you'll feel more confident you're making the right decision.

Go for it! I pledged as a junior, which gave me a more mature view on how I should spend my sorority time. I was less likely to do anything pointless or unproductive, for instance, because I knew that I had just so many hours to study so I'd better not volunteer for the weekly float-making activity. (once, yes; weekly, no!)

Having two years of college under my belt also helped me to take an advisor-type role in my pledge class. You mature a lot between 18 and 20...and/or between the freshman and junior years of college...

Exactly, Carnation. My pledge sisters were glad to have someone around who was in the same boat as them sorority-wise, but who could guide them through their first term at college. At 20, you have a better idea of how to organize your time so you can make your grades, enjoy your pledgeship and fulfill the requirements for initiation. Our pledge tests were given during finals. I had no trouble with mine -- in fact, I scored the highest in my pledge class -- but some of the freshman had to re-take theirs. They just didn't know how to allocate their studying time. You'll also have a realistic view of when you can spare the time to go to a mixer, or when you have to stay in and study for a test or finish a paper. Remember, sisterhood is for life, not just four years. When you look at it that way, you're practically a baby at 20!

You cannot pledge before you matriculate (huh, huh, I said matriculate). If you were a freshman NOW, you could get an open bid. But you aren't so you will have to wait till fall.

Kevin - she still hasn't matriculated (huh huh) so she cannot do anything now. NPC doesn't allow pre-freshman summer rush at all - just the "2 weeks before school starts" variety. If she was a freshman now, she could get an open bid now and then start pledging in the fall but that is not the case.

Wow! I have never seen matriculate used outside of info we get from the national headquarters. Good vocab word;)

I agree with everyone else...you have to give it a shot! If you don't...you will spend the rest of your life wondering what if. My little sister just went through rush this past year here at K-State...she said that it was a tough process but that she did not regret it in any way. She also said that there were actually quite a few older girls going through rush. Obviously it can hurt you...it also helps that you are a freshman. Go for it!:D