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-   -   Grad Students Rush? (https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=124883)

Tess_DreamBig 02-13-2012 03:57 PM
Grad Students Rush?
 
Hey all, I'm a senior at Arizona State University and never rushed for a sorority. I was born and raised in Arizona, so I had a lot of friends going to ASU with me and decided against rushing. Now I'm looking into going out of state for grad school next year, either University of Central Arkansas or University of Alabama, and was wondering, especially since these are Southern schools, if I have any shot at all getting a bid for a sorority as a grad student. I will be 22 at the time of fall rush, which is still young, yet considerably older than most of 18 and 19 year olds who will be rushing at that time. I know there are many sororities at both of those schools who claim to accept grad students, but I am sure it's not often.
This brings me to my next question, would it be better to go through informal recruitment at ASU and try to get a bid in a sorority that has a chapter at the school I end up going to so I can attempt to simply transfer over to that chapter when I move?

Thanks for any help or advice you can give!

Always AlphaGam 02-13-2012 04:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125252)
Hey all, I'm a senior at Arizona State University and never rushed for a sorority. I was born and raised in Arizona, so I had a lot of friends going to ASU with me and decided against rushing. Now I'm looking into going out of state for grad school next year, either University of Central Arkansas or University of Alabama, and was wondering, especially since these are Southern schools, if I have any shot at all getting a bid for a sorority as a grad student. I will be 22 at the time of fall rush, which is still young, yet considerably older than most of 18 and 19 year olds who will be rushing at that time. I know there are many sororities at both of those schools who claim to accept grad students, but I am sure it's not often.
This brings me to my next question, would it be better to go through informal recruitment at ASU and try to get a bid in a sorority that has a chapter at the school I end up going to so I can attempt to simply transfer over to that chapter when I move?

Thanks for any help or advice you can give!
My organization recognizes collegiate members as women who are pursuing undergraduate degrees only.

You can attempt to go through informal recruitment, but don't be surprised if you don't receive any bids. Most NPC sororities do not accept graduate students as collegiate members. There are a few who do, but at a school like ASU or Alabama, your chances are likely nil. Also, just because they can, doesn't mean they will.

psusue 02-13-2012 04:16 PM
Also (and if I'm out of my lane here I will delete this) I know that Sigma Kappa is expanding to Arizona State this spring (so right now), have you gone to any of their rush events? Sometimes colonies do take senior members in order to get a normal class distribution. It is by no means a sure thing (I know that Sigma while colonizing at Drexel University in Philadelphia only took about 6 seniors, and this was fall semester) but it might be worth a try if bid day did not happen for them yet.

Otherwise there are some sororities that allow for graduate membership but mine is not one of them so I cannot give you specific details from personal experience. I also believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the chapter still may not choose to take graduate members, even if their organization allows them to.

Furthermore graduate level classes may not give you adequate time to pursue active sorority membership, even if you did have the desire. Also as the population of a collegiate chapter will (likely) be mostly undergraduates, you may not feel as much of a connection with them emotionally and socially. Just some things to think about as you're considering this. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide and let us know how it goes! :)

AXOrushadvisor 02-13-2012 04:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125252)
Hey all, I'm a senior at Arizona State University and never rushed for a sorority. I was born and raised in Arizona, so I had a lot of friends going to ASU with me and decided against rushing. Now I'm looking into going out of state for grad school next year, either University of Central Arkansas or University of Alabama, and was wondering, especially since these are Southern schools, if I have any shot at all getting a bid for a sorority as a grad student. I will be 22 at the time of fall rush, which is still young, yet considerably older than most of 18 and 19 year olds who will be rushing at that time. I know there are many sororities at both of those schools who claim to accept grad students, but I am sure it's not often.
This brings me to my next question, would it be better to go through informal recruitment at ASU and try to get a bid in a sorority that has a chapter at the school I end up going to so I can attempt to simply transfer over to that chapter when I move?

Thanks for any help or advice you can give!
Most chapters at ASU probably wont look at you since you will graduate in May. Sigma Kappa might have been a possibility but they just completed their colony. I do know that Gamma Phi Beta will be doing COBing (saw it on a tweet) other then that I don't know any Chapters that would take a second semester senior. As fair as getting initiated at ASU and then transferring there is no guarantee that you will be able to affiliate with the Chapter once you get there. It is done by vote. I can not speak to the recruiting as a grad student at a competitive school. Good luck to you.

Tess_DreamBig 02-13-2012 04:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AXOrushadvisor (Post 2125269)
Most chapters at ASU probably wont look at you since you will graduate in May. Sigma Kappa might have been a possibility but they just completed their colony. I do know that Gamma Phi Beta will be doing COBing (saw it on a tweet) other then that I don't know any Chapters that would take a second semester senior. As fair as getting initiated at ASU and then transferring there is no guarantee that you will be able to affiliate with the Chapter once you get there. It is done by vote. I can not speak to the recruiting as a grad student at a competitive school. Good luck to you.
I am probably going to sound hopeless right now lol but what is COBing?

Always AlphaGam 02-13-2012 04:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125274)
I am probably going to sound hopeless right now lol but what is COBing?
Continuous Open Bidding = informal recruitment.

Tess_DreamBig 02-13-2012 04:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by psusue (Post 2125267)
Also (and if I'm out of my lane here I will delete this) I know that Sigma Kappa is expanding to Arizona State this spring (so right now), have you gone to any of their rush events? Sometimes colonies do take senior members in order to get a normal class distribution. It is by no means a sure thing (I know that Sigma while colonizing at Drexel University in Philadelphia only took about 6 seniors, and this was fall semester) but it might be worth a try if bid day did not happen for them yet.

Otherwise there are some sororities that allow for graduate membership but mine is not one of them so I cannot give you specific details from personal experience. I also believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the chapter still may not choose to take graduate members, even if their organization allows them to.

Furthermore graduate level classes may not give you adequate time to pursue active sorority membership, even if you did have the desire. Also as the population of a collegiate chapter will (likely) be mostly undergraduates, you may not feel as much of a connection with them emotionally and socially. Just some things to think about as you're considering this. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide and let us know how it goes! :)

You're definitely right. Sigma Kappa did expand to ASU this spring. I am student teaching this semester, though (meaning I'm almost never on campus), and didn't see their new chapter signs until the tenth, which was their bid day =/ Supposedly if they still have openings they will make exceptions, but obviously I would not expect anything lol. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong too, as I know absolutely nothing about Greek life except for what my brother has told me about his fraternity at Loyola New Orleans.

I know that there are a few sororities at each university that say they take grad students, but as you said, it does not mean they will take any. I guess I will just have to wait and see! Thanks for all of your help!

Always AlphaGam 02-13-2012 04:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125279)
You're definitely right. Sigma Kappa did expand to ASU this spring. I am student teaching this semester, though (meaning I'm almost never on campus), and didn't see their new chapter signs until the tenth, which was their bid day =/ Supposedly if they still have openings they will make exceptions, but obviously I would not expect anything lol. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong too, as I know absolutely nothing about Greek life except for what my brother has told me about his fraternity at Loyola New Orleans.

I know that there are a few sororities at each university that say they take grad students, but as you said, it does not mean they will take any. I guess I will just have to wait and see! Thanks for all of your help!
This is certainly not the case at each university. If group decides to extend membership to a graduate student, this is actually quite rare.

ComradesTrue 02-13-2012 04:51 PM
Also, being a grad student is not the same as being an undergrad. You will be MUCH more busy with your classes and internships. In addition, all of a sudden those undergrads are going to seem way younger than they do now. While you think now that you will be okay with that, that mindset is very likely to change once you start your grad program. There is a reason that virtually all college chapters are made up of undergrads.

Sorry.

Greek_or_Geek? 02-13-2012 05:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AXOrushadvisor (Post 2125269)
I do know that Gamma Phi Beta will be doing COBing (saw it on a tweet) other then that I don't know any Chapters that would take a second semester senior.
How dare you even suggest this of any sorority except you own? You think the struggling chapter will be so desperate that they'll take a second semester senior who's student teaching who wants to join simply because she wants to join as a grad student elsewhere? From everything I can see, Gamma Phi Beta does not even accept graduate students (as if 99.99% of organizations who technically can would.)

psusue 02-13-2012 05:08 PM
I don't think she meant any harm by it. She was just trying to be helpful to the PNM. Remember PNMs are free to come to recruitment events of any sorority that is hosting them, that does not mean that she was implying that the chapter would extend a bid. Besides, if it's on a tweet it's kind of public knowledge, is it not?

Greek_or_Geek? 02-13-2012 05:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by psusue (Post 2125292)
I don't think she meant any harm by it. She was just trying to be helpful to the PNM. Remember PNMs are free to come to recruitment events of any sorority that is hosting them, that does not mean that she was implying that the chapter would extend a bid. Besides, if it's on a tweet it's kind of public knowledge, is it not?
It's the "I don't know any other chapters that would take a second semester senior" part that's the issue since it takes five seconds to figure out others are COBing there.

Tess_DreamBig 02-13-2012 05:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek? (Post 2125290)
How dare you even suggest this of any sorority except you own? You think the struggling chapter will be so desperate that they'll take a second semester senior who's student teaching who wants to join simply because she wants to join as a grad student elsewhere? From everything I can see, Gamma Phi Beta does not even accept graduate students (as if 99.99% of organizations who technically can would.)
There's no need to get upset, now. They were just trying to help me out. I knew it'd be a long shot, but saw recruitment stories from other grad students and figured I'd take my chances asking for advice before I went off and actually tried to do anything. Thanks for your help, though

psusue 02-13-2012 05:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek? (Post 2125295)
It's the "I don't know any other chapters that would take a second semester senior" part that's the issue since it takes five seconds to figure out others are COBing there.
Ah, didn't read that part clearly, sorry.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125297)
There's no need to get upset, now. They were just trying to help me out. I knew it'd be a long shot, but saw recruitment stories from other grad students and figured I'd take my chances asking for advice before I went off and actually tried to do anything. Thanks for your help, though
I mean if I were you I'd go for it. Yes it isn't the most likely scenario that you'll get a bid but if you try and it doesn't work out at least you know you'll have gone for it. Besides, the worst thing that can happen is that you'll end up not being Greek, but you're already not Greek, so what do you have to lose? You know your odds but you can still try. Best of luck to you!

Tess_DreamBig 02-13-2012 05:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek? (Post 2125295)
It's the "I don't know any other chapters that would take a second semester senior" part that's the issue since it takes five seconds to figure out others are COBing there.
I see your point now, I'm sorry if you were offended by anthing said on this thread.

Quote:
Originally Posted by psusue (Post 2125300)


I mean if I were you I'd go for it. Yes it isn't the most likely scenario that you'll get a bid but if you try and it doesn't work out at least you know you'll have gone for it. Besides, the worst thing that can happen is that you'll end up not being Greek, but you're already not Greek, so what do you have to lose? You know your odds but you can still try. Best of luck to you!
You definitely make a great point! I haven nothing to lose by going for it. On top of that, hearing all of the odds that are stacked against me makes me want to achieve this goal that much more lol. Maybe I'm setting myself up to fail, or maybe I'll have the best time of my life. We will see! Thanks again

naraht 02-13-2012 05:31 PM
Other groups...
 
I know that the Service Sororities and Service Fraternities tend to be more open to grad students (or even second semester Seniors).

Maybe either Omega Phi Alpha Service Sorority or Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity (which accepts both men and women)

Shellfish 02-13-2012 05:31 PM
There are recruitment stories from grad students? I don't remember any, but then I tend to think most of them are fake anyway, so I don't pay them a whole lot of attention. Did these stories end successfully?

DeltaBetaBaby 02-13-2012 05:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shellfish (Post 2125313)
There are recruitment stories from grad students? I don't remember any, but then I tend to think most of them are fake anyway, so I don't pay them a whole lot of attention. Did these stories end successfully?
There are only 2 NPC groups, to the best of my knowledge, that will pledge graduate students to their collegiate chapters.

There are some old AI threads on here, and some do end successfully, but that's a whole different can of worms.

The bottom line is that second semester of senior year is too late to decide you want to get involved in an activity designed for undergraduates.

knight_shadow 02-13-2012 05:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by naraht (Post 2125312)
I know that the Service Sororities and Service Fraternities tend to be more open to grad students (or even second semester Seniors).

Maybe either Omega Phi Alpha Service Sorority or Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity (which accepts both men and women)
To be clear, though, these groups may not necessarily provide the experience that the OP is looking for.

AOIIalum 02-13-2012 05:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby (Post 2125314)
There are only 2 NPC groups, to the best of my knowledge, that will pledge graduate students to their collegiate chapters.
I'll also chime in with even if there are still two NPC groups that might pledge graduate students, it doesn't mean those particular chapters might do so on any particular campus.

naraht 02-13-2012 05:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by knight_shadow (Post 2125317)
To be clear, though, these groups may not necessarily provide the experience that the OP is looking for.
I agree. For some women they do, for some women they don't.

naraht 02-13-2012 06:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby (Post 2125314)
There are only 2 NPC groups, to the best of my knowledge, that will pledge graduate students to their collegiate chapters.

There are some old AI threads on here, and some do end successfully, but that's a whole different can of worms.

The bottom line is that second semester of senior year is too late to decide you want to get involved in an activity designed for undergraduates.
See thread http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...t=67042&page=3 , there are eight listed where the Nationals responded to the poster that they do allow graduate students to join (and not all responded). *However*, in that thread as here, it is quite clear that even if the sorority does, it doesn't mean that the *school* allows it.

DeltaBetaBaby 02-13-2012 06:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by naraht (Post 2125325)
See thread http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...t=67042&page=3 , there are eight listed where the Nationals responded to the poster that they do allow graduate students to join (and not all responded). *However*, in that thread as here, it is quite clear that even if the sorority does, it doesn't mean that the *school* allows it.
I'm not convinced that the information on that thread is correct. I think the poster may have confused AI with rushing/pledging as a grad student. They are not the same thing.

naraht 02-13-2012 06:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby (Post 2125329)
I'm not convinced that the information on that thread is correct. I think the poster may have confused AI with rushing/pledging as a grad student. They are not the same thing.
Agreed, but I thought it was at least a relevant thread.

Always AlphaGam 02-13-2012 06:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by naraht (Post 2125325)
See thread http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...t=67042&page=3 , there are eight listed where the Nationals responded to the poster that they do allow graduate students to join (and not all responded). *However*, in that thread as here, it is quite clear that even if the sorority does, it doesn't mean that the *school* allows it.
This was posted in 2006 and the quoted post implied that her data was gathered before that.

Even if this information was accurate then, it certainly may not be the case now.

naraht 02-13-2012 06:31 PM
University of Central Arkansas
 
I decided that actually calling UCA and U of Alabama might help. I got voicemail at U of A (and didn't leave a message) but from UCA, I got a nice woman in the greek affairs office who said that yes, University of Central Arkansas allows it and it has happened there, but it is fairly rare. I figure any information beyond *that* can be gotten after grad student acceptance...

UCA has ASA, AST, DZ, SK & Tri-Sigma.

AXOrushadvisor 02-13-2012 06:46 PM
Calm Down
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek? (Post 2125290)
How dare you even suggest this of any sorority except you own? You think the struggling chapter will be so desperate that they'll take a second semester senior who's student teaching who wants to join simply because she wants to join as a grad student elsewhere? From everything I can see, Gamma Phi Beta does not even accept graduate students (as if 99.99% of organizations who technically can would.)
Since most of the Chapters at ASU COB'd prior to SK coming on they are the only Chapter that I know of that is COBing. That doesn't mean they are desperate or struggling it is a fact. You don't know who I am or what I'm thinking. Please don't try to read between the lines and imply something that is not there.

Old_Row 02-13-2012 07:29 PM
Sorry, but the idea of any chapter at Bama pledging or affiliating a grad student makes me giggle.

OP if you couldn't find the time or be interested or motivated enough to pledge as an undergrad, your sorority ship has sailed far into the sunset.

I also don't think a chapter advisor should use a public online forum to refer anyone to other specific chapters at the schools they advise. A PNM needs to take the initiative to do the research herself and it would also avoid any possibility of a specific chapter being singled out online and forever as being struggling.

Also didn't that Sigma Kappa colony just have their bid day? Would they even be installed this semester in time for a second semester senior to be initiated?

FSUZeta 02-13-2012 07:51 PM
Colonies are usually installed prior to the end of the semester in which they are colonized nowadays, but as to the practice of specific sororities, I can not say.

ElieM 02-13-2012 09:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old_Row (Post 2125359)
OP if you couldn't find the time or be interested or motivated enough to pledge as an undergrad, your NPC sorority ship has sailed far into the sunset.
As noted above, service GLOs and non-collegiate GLOs may be happy to pledge you, but they may not offer the undergrad sorority experience you are looking for

amIblue? 02-13-2012 09:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old_Row (Post 2125359)
Sorry, but the idea of any chapter at Bama pledging or affiliating a grad student makes me giggle.
I know, right?

To the OP - you mentioned that the reason why you didn't pursue sorority membership earlier in your undergraduate career is that you had lots of friends at your university. It seems to me that perhaps you're considering pursuing sorority membership because you'll be moving to a place where you don't know anyone, which is fine and the reason why many people seek membership, but I don't know if that's the best reason to do so at this point in your academic career. You're going to meet people in your graduate program who will have common interests (field of study) and a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a graduate student. If you do receive a bid, you're most likely going to be in a pledge class that is majority freshmen students, who are really at a different place in life than you will be.

Someone upthread mentioned the service organizations. Another group that you may want to consider would be Beta Sigma Phi. There seem to be many happy members who have posted here on GC.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.

33girl 02-13-2012 10:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tess_DreamBig (Post 2125252)
This brings me to my next question, would it be better to go through informal recruitment at ASU and try to get a bid in a sorority that has a chapter at the school I end up going to so I can attempt to simply transfer over to that chapter when I move?
Even if you got a bid at ASU now, even if it was a sorority that also has a chapter at either Bama or UCA, and even if that sorority did allow grad students as active members...it's no guarantee that you will have anything in common with the chapter at the school where you do your grad work, that you will like them or that they will like you, or that you will want to affiliate/they will invite you to do so. Even if their org's policies said they had to admit you, you might not feel comfortable there/they might not want you there.

This applies to ANYONE transferring from school to school, not just someone in your situation.

DubaiSis 02-14-2012 02:00 AM
You will have plenty of opportunities to make friends and get involved, but NPC sorority membership isn't going to be on that list. As a person who has up and moved several times in her life to places where she knew almost nobody, you're just scared of starting over. You'll get through it. The difference here is instead of meeting friends organically as you do when you're younger, you have to go about building friendships with a bit more purpose.

It is too bad you didn't take advantage of the opportunity you had through Greek life at ASU because a lot of those moves I've made were a lot easier because of my sorority membership, but my life now, for instance, doesn't include sorority involvement at all, except for chatting here on GC. But especially when I was new here I went to "coffees" 3 and 4 times a week with different groups to start to make connections.

Once you're accepted, you can start researching what the school has to offer by way of activities and I would jump in with both feet. As you get yourself established you can start to whittle away the stuff that isn't as much fun or feels too time consuming.


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