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...