Curious about AI, but also uncertain
 

Hi all!

I'm currently a senior at a university who was one of the "boo greek life" kids up until this past spring. It took awhile for me to see that all sororities weren't like the ones dramatized on television, and I got to know some girls in the chapters my school currently has (we have 3). It was really cool to see how involved these girls were and it gave me a fresh look; they are all brilliant young women who are actively seeking to better themselves, their sisters, and give back to the community. I only wish it didn't take me so long and I'm embarrassed for being close-minded, but better late than never?

I was going to pledge spring of my junior year and even went to a few information sessions for the three sororities on my campus. I felt a bond with one of them, but two factors discouraged me from moving forward. It financially wasn't feasible for me at the time (but I might have been able to make it work), but mainly the sisters warned me against attempting since upperclassmen typically do not get bids, at least at my university. Unfortunately, the girls that told me not to bother were from the one sorority I resonated with, and that admittedly made me take a step back and reconsider.

Now that I'm going into my senior year I wish I had a change of heart earlier, but that's water under the bridge at this point. I'm looking for what to do going forward. An advisor on campus sat down to speak with me about what I could do. She recommended that I look into becoming an AI. This advisor is an alum for a sorority not present on my campus, which does accept AIs. I also have friends in another sorority which they've talked to me about. So I guess I'm looking for opinions... I feel like maybe my reasons aren't "acceptable" for looking to become an AI. Do I have to only consider the sororities at my campus, or can I talk more with my friends in Sorority A or more with my adviser in Sorority B to learn more about theirs? :confused:

Just as a closing note... I know there are AIs that want to join for the social/collegiate aspect that they missed. I've already gotten that from sports and other clubs. What I want is to find a group that I can totally throw myself into, that has a philanthropy I can relate to and fully support, and that will give me something to actively volunteer in after I graduate.

Are you not interested in AI for the adviser's group?

The adviser's sorority is not on my campus, which was my concern as to whether or not I should stick to sororities at my university. I don't know a lot about her sorority, but she offered to sit down again and tell me more about it. She also recommended learning about my friends' sorority that they all love that is also not on my campus.

I suggest you do both of those things. The people you know IN REAL LIFE will be much more helpful than anyone here on GC.

You don't have to be limited to groups on your own campus. If you have someone advocating for you to AI, that would be your best bet. Do some research about her organization and speak more with her about it.

AI has nothing to do with campus life. Even if you AId into a group on your campus, you would not be a member of the collegiate chapter. As stated above, real life connections are your best bet.

You'll want to ask your advisor if her organization has an active alumnae chapter in your area. That's what would give you the opportunities to both socialize with members and join in on volunteer/philanthropic work.

Do the work on this face-to-face, rather than here on the Internet/GC. That's the best advice I can offer.

Not sure what your career path is going to be, but if you're going to be (random example) a researcher for the Clinton presidential library, you might not want to pursue AI with a group that has no chapters in Arkansas. I know people move around the country much more than they used to and it might be the case someday that you ARE away from sisters IRL, but starting that way could make things very hard.

I'm going into financial analysis and will be in the NY/NJ area, so I will look into active chapters around where I'm moving to. I didn't consider that at first, but you make a very good point, so thank you! I don't know if I'm allowed to mention specifically what sororities my advisor and friends belong to (new here) so sorry if my opening post seems very vague.

To everyone else: Thank you, I will follow up with my friends and advisor in-person to learn more about both sororities and what I can bring to the table

Also, at least in my group, an AI cannot be eligible for collegiate membership. You may have to wait until you graduate. This is why the women you know will be better able to guide you. Policies vary, and while I know what Alpha Phi states, I have no idea about any other GLO.

I believe you are completely correct. I am don't expect any major steps to happen until after I graduate, if any do end up happening. Now is the time for talking and researching. Thanks for the response!

No, vague is definitely the way to be in this situation :)

This. Here discretion is the better part of valor. Yes, like the other posters have stated use your Panhellenic resources at your disposal to explore if this is something that might be viable following your graduation. And now is a great time to ask questions about things you're not clear about, or what the alumnae membership experience is like.

I'll meet with her sometime next week to learn more. There is an active alumnae chapter near where I'm moving to, so maybe she will have some contacts there for when I graduate. Thanks for the advice!

Update: My adviser is going to sponsor me and we will get all the paperwork done once I formally graduate. She already has contacts in a local chapter of the sorority that I will be phyiscally close to which I can be initiated at. Wanted to share the good news. :) Now I just have to finish my last year!

Congratulations! Come back once you're initiated so you can share which group you're going to join if you so choose.

Great! Good luck, and let us know when you get accepted.

So excited for you!!!! Congratulations!!

Hi all, it's been awhile. This year has been flying by and graduation is right around the corner. I met with my adviser recently to go over some things and emphasized that she still hopes sorority XYZ is of interest to me- which it absolutely is! So my next steps are to wait for her to put me in contact with the head of an alumnae chapter near where I'm moving to so that I have connections when I do relocate. She said I can either go through the ritual with the alumnae chapter or at a collegiate chapter, and that I'll know which once I move. She told me a lot of ways I can help out and be involved once I'm officially a sister, which got me very excited. I'll let you know when I have another update and hopefully I can tell you which sorority it is in the next few months!

Glad it is going well for you. AI is definitely a different (read: longer) process than traditional recruitment at the collegiate level, but well worth the wait and effort. Please keep us posted, and good luck!

Point of protocol, and I only mention it because I was at an alumnae panhellenic meeting last night with a bunch of women who were saying it wrong. You will be an alumna of an alumnae group (pronounced alumnee). Calling yourself alumni is like nails on a chalkboard to some of us. I'd hate to have you annoy the crap out of a potential sister in your process.

Based on something you said, I know you are not joining my sorority, but I wish you the best of luck with whichever sorority you are joining. Alumnae membership is wholly different than collegiate, but also very fulfilling.

Good point and thank you for correcting me on it! I'll be sure to watch what I say in the future.

Wherever you initiate, if the group in question doesn't have a specific chapter designation for AIs, I STRONGLY recommend getting to know as many members as possible (collegiate and alumnae) of the chapter whose designation you will carry.

I absolutely plan to, and thank you for reminding me how important that would be. My advisor said so much about the relationships she has formed and how the experience of being an AI has been for her, so I am looking to create friendships with wherever the initiation would be. There are three collegiate chapters near where I am moving, and an active alumnae chapter as well. She has been very good about leading me through this process (as much as she can while I'm still in school), and I'm thankful for her help!