sorority life
 

I'm thinking of rushing for a sorority in FIU in the fall. obviously thats a couple of months away but I want to make sure what i'm going to do so I don't waste my time. Other than school, I have nothing else going on i'm pretty much free always. I heard sorority girls party alot and im really not into that so im scared I wont fit in. I just want to know what obligations do you have being in a sorority? for example are chapter meetings mandatory and if you miss one what happens? do you have to go to all the parties and activities? I live a bit far from school and don't have a car and since most things are at night I have no way of getting to and from them. Any other things you want to add are welcome :D

Just go to the information meeting(s), and (based on that) go through recruitment. Don't base your opinions on rumors and what others tell you and instead go meet the women involved and have THEM tell you what the requirements and rules are.

Then you probably shouldn't rush. Not only will you miss mandatory activities, you'll miss "unofficial" just hanging-out time. How do you get to school now if you live that far away (I'm assuming you mean 10+ miles) and don't have a car?

Agreed. Almost all activities are in the evenings at most schools because classes are during the day. You wouldn't be able to participate in much of anything.

i take the bus :/
only problem is taking it at night..a little dangerous

Actually dangerous or just ~scary~

Pepper spray is your friend, against both dangerous people and really dull food.

Chances are, you'll never need to use it.

lol well I live in miami...so its all more dangerous. i'm sure i'll find someone to give me rides :)

No. It doesn't work that way.

Unless you have a GUARANTEE that you will have a way to get back and forth to required meetings and activities, and be prompt when you do, you are wasting your time and everyone else's time by rushing. Not to mention that being the girl constantly asking for rides will get hella old hella quick.

Actually, I make the comment living in Berkeley, CA and often going to the bordering cities of Richmond and Oakland. Both places have crime rates that are higher than that in Miami in both property and violent crime. However, in the big picture, they're similar.

I have a friend in a sorority in my same situation. and idk how people are up north or where ever you live but they arent as rude down here

And yet you asked us, instead of your 'friend.'

Also they may not be rude, but apparently riding the bus at night = death.

iChuckled

maybe i should have specified. my school is a very big commuter school and everyone lives around

vivalacutie is not overstating the bus situation. the part of miami that FIU is located in is a rough part of town.

vivalacutie, if you don't live on campus and don't have your own transportation, it will be difficult be a member of a sorority. as everyone has said, most sorority activities are going to be held in the evening, and if you can't make the meetings, you shouldn't join.

My little, who went to FIU and did not have a car and commuted from little havana on a bus regularly managed to make meeting and serve on eboard and panhellenic and a whole other mess load of stuff.

However, her biological sister was also an active collegiate in our organization for a good amount of simultaneous time and she did drive so sometimes she did have access to a ride that wasn't the bus. A lot of the time she was on her own though. As her big, I'd take her home when I could and other sisters who lived near her did as much as they could.

Is partying big with EVERY FIU sorority girl? NO. A lot of Miami girls have crazy-strict Hispanic parents who don't understand college life. Still, many of these girls make it work and serve on eboards and stay involved. It really boils down to what YOU want, how much you're willing to tell your parents to back off, and what you hope to get out of it. Some girls find balance. Some pachanga their gpa to shambles, some girls do both academics and school very well, some do nothing but hang out and have bad gpas for it. It's all up to you to remember why and how you got into University in the first place.

YES. There are things you're required to do. When girls ask this question I automatically red flag them in my head because they never make good sisters for this reason: THEY DON'T WANT MORE STUFF TO DO! Every single time without a doubt the girl who takes this perspective at FIU sucks at meeting chapter requirements and sucks at chapter life.

Lastly, my biggest concern is $$. A lot of girls realize (or CHOOSE to realize)too late (even after the 2nd night of recruitment when we have to explain dues) that they don't have the money. If you're not working, you don't have a car, and your parents can't afford to buy you one and you're not rolling in scholarships like my aforementioned pledge sister and her bio sister, this may not be for you. You will be taking a spot away from another girl the groups could look at more seriously or you will cost the chapter time and effort when you're forced to drop. OR you will struggle through the new member period, get initiated, and then stop paying cos you can't come up with the cash and either be disaffiliated or have to own up to your mistake and resign. NO BUENO... -_-

However, still having said all this, I know there is always the chance that you could find an organization that you'd be willing to sacrifice a lot for. It's happened. So go through recruitment (which is at night! so BUS!) and if you're having a hard time coping that week-drop out. And if you don't fall in love, drop out.

Yeah, I hate rude people.

iRony.

LOL @ no one being rude in Miami.

We have cars here. We don't beg people for rides like street bums.

Either make peace with the bus, or ensure that you will be able to have a car at your disposal - but do it BEFORE you accept a bid. It's not anyone's responsibility but yours to get to sorority activities, and if you can't find a way to do that, DON'T RUSH.

Hi, the partying isn't mandatory, but i find that some sororities peer pressure you into partying, mine sure does. if you're really worried get a feeling for this during rush, not all sororities are party sororities. some are.

there are lots of mandatory events, at all times of the day. in my chapter you HAVE to go to weekly meetings, death or illness being the ONLY excuses. then you have additional mandatory meetings weekly if you are involved in any committees, and lots of mandatory events you must attend in order for the sorority to stay accredited. it is a big commitment and you should be ready for one before joining.