I think it's a good idea. It gives them a way to get used to the idea. Then you come home/ call them talking about the cool girls you met at rush and they get the idea that not all sorority girls are party girls looking for their MRS degree.

It's not guaranteed that they'll see things your way, but it can't hurt! And I think your idea is a good one.

Yeah. Truth is, I am very leery of approaching my parents head-on with the topic of wanting to join a sorority, so I eventually thought of registering for rush (which I will do) and then explaining to them on why I did it. It may work, it may not work. But at least, I will have made my decision to go through rush.

Good luck :)

Do you have any friends now who are currently in a sorority (sorry I haven't read your thread in a while) they might be able to vouch about it to your parents. Telling them you've been researching it online (aka GC) isn't a terrible idea either. Really we're just people. The partiers would have partied without letters, the rest of us just have fun hanging out :)

Well, I have done a lot of online research on it, actually...such as benefits and the expenses/costs of being in a sorority. So that research will most likely help in the long run.
But as for friends who are actually in sororities, I mostly have non-Greek friends.

Research is always a great idea for recruitment. It's far better to go in with at least some idea of what you're in for. With that said, you mentioned most of your friends are non-greeks. I know when I went thinking about and then going through recruitment, they weren't exactly the most supportive. Several actually said, "that's dumb! Why would you want to be with them?!. Now, some of them ask if I feel they missed out by not going through recuitment themselves...what do you say to that? I tell them it worked great for me, but they also had a great time in college without. (Hindsight is a wicked wicked thing.)

I paid for all my sorority costs myself, because my parents weren't against it, but they sure weren't going to pay for something they saw as "extra." I think they saw the benefits of Greek life after I was in. They are still seeing benefits now when I talk about the alumnae group and connections I make professionally.

I've been also considering how my friends might view the whole idea of me going through rush, but then again, it would be their opinion and nothing more.
I am not too worried yet over the money aspect of membership since I am fairly focused on only rush right now...but I've done a lot of research on it all the same.

Just remember that you would be rushing only for yourself, and not for your friends. If your friends are really your true friends, then they will support your decision no matter what. When I pledged Alpha Gam, I did lose a friend or two, but it turns out that they were never my true friends anyway. Your real friends will stick by you. Good luck with rush :)

Well, that's true. :) Well, if friends don't support any decision that you make, then they are typically not true friends anyway.

I'd recommend waiting for your grades, sharing them with your parents and then after you talk about sororities together, then register for recruitment. There's no sense registering if you can't afford to join a sorority. Yes, recruitment is a great way to meet people, but it is also for those who have the intent to join a sorority. Make sure you have the support of your parents if they are the ones footing the bill, or get a summer job.

Good luck with your grades. Remember that this is also a prime time to get involved on campus and meet some new people, including sorority women.

99% of my non-Greek friends ended up rushing and pledging within 1-2 years of my joining ADPi because they saw what a great time I was having! We all joined different chapters and it was really great to have that connection of being Greek sisters together! Next month, one of the girls is getting married and her bridesmaids are all of us-- a Chi O, DDD, KD and ADPi! :) Talk about a Panhellenic circle!

A benefit that hasn't been brought up too much is the whole networking thing- I know people talk about it, but it really does happen. I helped one of my sisters get a job w/ the company (a major international bank) more than 5 years ago (when we were 2 years out of school.) I got a 3.5K referral bonus and she got a great job- she is still w/ the firm and was promoted to VP this year. That same year I bumped into a guy I went to school who was on IFC we spoke about work & he said he would love to get his foot in the door w/ my firm- I gave him my card, he sent his resume and I got him a job and I got a 10K bonus for that one. Those 2 bonuses more than covered my 4 years of dues!
Even when I was in school I remember helping people find on-campus jobs, etc. I had a great campus job driving the golf course beverage cart- you made a decent hourly wage and got tips- meanwhile it was a job NO ONE knew about on our large campus. I did it my senior year and then handed it down to a few of my younger sisters when I graduated.
I am preparing to move from NYC to a much smaller city, and I have already reached out to women in my chapter who I haven't spoken to in years, to ask for advice on jobs and general info on the area.

I really don't know of many other organizations that afford you a lifetime of nationwide networking opportunities.

Hmmm...well, that does seem pretty logical. Of course I originally planned to wait for my grades anyway, because they will be the judging factor in whether or not I register for rush.
But I guess I could also talk to my parents about sororities...I have done enough research on them as it is...and tell them that I plan to go through recuitment. They have said before that if I want to go for it, I should have the right to make that decision.