It depends on how you use the term 'nondenominational'.

For many people, when you say 'nondenominational', its usually in reference to a 'church service' that is broadly Christian, and not specific to any one denomination. A Christian service that would be acceptable to a Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, etc.

If you are using to refer to a specific church as being 'non denominational', its hard to say where in the spectrum of christian belief it falls: from fire and brimstone bible thumpers to laid-back sixties hippie types and anything in between.

I was thinking the same thing. Some kind of anti-greek 'MADD' type of group.

I don't disagree, but formerly "charismatic" groups are hijacking the term to get away from the "crazies!"

And this surprises you?

Its little different from when the socialists hijacked the term 'liberal' from those who originally used it. (said original, or 'classical liberals' are now usually known as 'libertarians). And now you have some liberals today trying to hijack the term 'progressives' (tho that term hasn't been in use for awhile, so few are complaining...).

I find it funny when reading about the so called 'restorationist' movement in the Christian church that arouse around the end of the last century. It has such a great name, making one thing that you are 'restoring' Christianianity to its original form that it as strayed from. Sadly, in most cases its really about people creating new nonsense out of whole cloth and claiming its the original Christianity. Go figure.

Yes, this is more of what I meant by the Catholic church being "stricter." I understand that there are different sects of churches that allow only skirts and things, but it isn't only extreme Pentecostal churches that have that.

But anyways....on to something I was wondering.

I know that Alpha Phi has scholarships, but (at least from what i understand) our scholarships are STRICTLY for APhi members. Do any sororities have scholarships for non-members?

Alumnae Panhellenic groups often have scholarships for ALL NPC in a particular area.

ok what i was going to say was my pentecostal [even tho not against pants and short hair] is still really strict.... it more of a cultural issue... with our parents Makeup is frowned upon, dating is wrong, no sleeveless shirts, no jewelry and the list goes on...
these standards tho are getting looser b.c the generation now doesn't see whats wrong with wearing makeup and jewelry and sleeveless shirts... so yeah i walk around campus with a tank top on holding hands with my boyfriend, all dolled up... i don't see whats wrong with it... and if you ask any parent they can't tell you why they think its wrong... they just think it is b.c thats what their parents said and blah blah blah. i am pretty sure in the bible it doesn't say "Thou shalt not have short hair, or date" yeah there are guidelines.... but nothing like "those who wear their shoulder bare shall be cursed" [hey that rhymes]
but its a brand for Church of God [not Church of Christ, its an American branch when it reached India, people went a little over board and they continue to do so today...]

hopefully this clears up something?

We didn't mean to hijack your thread with the whole religion thing. Your personal experience is one I've heard from many of my Indian friends, and even professors, no matter what religion they were raised. :)

For some reason I'm getting a "everyone else is doing it, I wanna do it, and my parents are super strict and don't like it, so I should definitely do it" feeling.

With that being said, make sure it is something you really want to do and something that you are truely committed to doing. If you truely want it bad enough/can withstand the heat that will come with it from your parents, then you will. If you will cave under pressure from your parents, then I would say don't do it.

Based on a previous post it seems like you have already changed "gears" so to speak from your original intentions in greek life, so research, research, research, and rhoyal tempests suggestion about presentation is something to really keep in mind/implement.

so...what's AI and why's it so *gasp*?

Read here. The locked threads should be particularly pertinent to your question.

This outfit, Center for the Studies of the College Fraternity http://www.indiana.edu/~sao/cscfsite/ published a pamphlet outlining achievements, famous people etc. of fraternities and sororities. It mentioned how most all-sorority GPAs are higher than all-women or all-students, graduation rates are higher, outstanding leaders who are Greek etc. Also check the NPC's Web site, www.npcwomen.org, I believe they also have persuasive information. You might also ask your parents to talk to your school's Greek advisor.
You need to show your parents that you have maturely thought this out, explored the idea and show them the reasons you think it wold be a good idea to join (and that it's not all parties). Good luck to you!

My APH group gives scholarships to local women in NPC sororities as well as local incoming freshman women who attend a school with at least one NPC chapter. The latter group isn't obligated to join an NPC group once they get to college. Some eventually do, but some decide that Greek Life just isn't for them.

We should all try to understand that when you come from a first generation family as OP does, you don't necessarily have that, "Dad/Mom, can we sit down with milk and cookies at the kitchen island and talk about something" relationship. The roles are clear-they tell you what to do and you...do it, game over! Having a child go to college is both the ultimate dream and nightmare for these parents, who want to see the child succeed but can't handle the child's growing social independence and differing goals/desires.

While in an advisory role, I met women who did not tell their parents they were in a GLO at all and handled it all on the down-low. If you (RedRaider) go that route, you need to be aware of the risks of hurting or upsetting your parents if and when they ever find out, and balance that against your wishes to be part of a chapter and forge your own way. I think keeping it from your parents could be challenging and create more tension between you and them, but only you can decide what is worth this kind of risk. You would have to make sure no sorority mailings went to the home address, and sometimes, that's out of your control. Be ready to pay for everything on time. We saw women who could not meet their financial obligations freak out when we said that the next contact would be the parents. Full disclosure with a complete plan in place (dues covered with extra job, grades not suffering, etc) is in most cases the best route.

People who are unaware of things such as GLOs or anything else for that matter are always afraid of them.

PS, you just do not plan or think you can get into a Sorority through AIing. It is something earned and not given.

If money is a major problem then I suggest you do not even think about it as there is time and money involved.

What ever happens, the very best of luck for you.:)