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Hi, Amalia.
I don't have any specific advice for you, but I want you to know that you are not alone in feeling that you missed out on Greek Life. I graduated almost 3 years ago, and I'm still trying to find my Greek home through Alumna Initiation. Since you are still considered an undergraduate, "AI" is probably not an option for you, so keep letting the groups know that you are interested. Stay positive, and don't give up. Even if you don't find the right sorority for you now, there are still options.

LM

Amalia - if you go through formal or open rush, MAKE SURE that the sisters know that you are a true undergrad student. The fact that you have another degree has nothing to do with your present status.

The women most likely were unclear and thought that you were a grad student, and even if it is allowed by nationals it is such a rare thing that they might have thought it is not allowed.

I would make certain that the national officers (I am assuming you called the HQs) were not talking about alumnae initiation - that is another story and, it seems, not what you are looking for.

I

Amalia, i'm not sure how old you are, but I really think that you should consider whether or not you'd even fit in with the chapters there. Just a few years of an age differences makes a huge difference in maturity levels for most people. And having already gotten once bachelor's degree with a demanding major, you've already done a lot of "growing up." Myself, currently at the age of 23, I could never see dealing with being in an undergrad chapter of a sorority at this age. And being from the Western PA area, I know that Slippery Rock has somewhat of a reputation as being a party school, and it's also small. I think that you should consider the reasons why you want to be in a sorority, then take a realistic comparasion to see if the groups on your campus could even fill those needs.

Thread on alumnae initiation: http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=41374

Well, you didn't say how old you are, but I went to Clarion and one of our sisters was 25 when she joined (she was in the military first, I think). It's more about your attitude than your actual age.

I

At some point or another, yes you do have to reveal your age or it will appear you are hiding it. I went through this situation this year, only I'm a year older than you. I love my sisters, and I love the girls in the other sororities that I have met, but I agree that there are major differences in situations in life, and maturity that simply comes with age, not to mention the difference that comes with already having been in college once. I will never regret going through rush, I met some wonderful people that I will continue to keep in touch with and will never forget. Do what you feel in your heart to be the right thing. If this is something that you want, then keep going for it.

25 year old pledge
 

A great friend of mine, joined as a 23 year old Junior my junior year. She had a year and a half of great times and loved it. However, you have to remember, your pledge class is going to be 40 or 50 18 year olds, who are worlds apart from you in age and life experience. I am not trying to talk you out of it by any means, like I said my friend loved it, and she was older than most of us. Just remember those things. You will also have 19, 20, 21 year old women running the chapter and telling you what you can and can't do in many cases. I don't think I would enjoy that, but if you do, then rock on sister!! I hope you are sooooo happy with whatever you decide!!

Re: 25 year old pledge
 

Actually Amalia's school is quite small and pledge classes will probably be no more than 15 - 50 is more like chapter total than the pledge class amount! just wanted to clear that up so she is not confused. Also there are lots of students who stay longer than 4 years due to monetary and/or scheduling problems, so I'm guessing there are quite a few 22+ year olds who are still undergrads and sorority or fraternity actives.

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amalia17
[B] My main concern was, will the sororities think I am too old?

Amalia,
I think that whether or not the sororities will think you are too old depends a lot on your particular campus. At a large school where recruitment is very competitive, you would have less of a chance than at a smaller school where the whole process is a little more relaxed.

>>
Would it be lame to write all of the chapters a letter before recruitment and let them know where I stand?<<

I wouldn't write to the sororities. While I don't think it is lame, it is unusual and I think it would make you stand out in a *not necessarily positive* way. It would be a good idea to let some other people do this for you though by way of writing recommendations. Ask around and think about women you know who are members of the groups on your campus and try to get some recs before going through formal recruitment. They can let the sororities know what is in your mind about greek life and the fact that you will be around awhile despite your age.
Good Luck!

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This is NOT a good idea - it would make you look desperate. That is the last thing you want. aopiinthesky, they really don't use recs there at all.

I know it is too late to tell you this, but you should definitely have gone to open rush - that is where you can get to meet people without the "cattle call" atmosphere of formal rush. By not going, they might have gotten the idea that you weren't interested. My advice is to get to know the women in your classes who are in sororities and ask them questions about what they do in their groups.

I

When I was in my third year of college a 24-year-old sophomore pledged our chapter. She fit right in. (It didn't hurt that she looked about 16....and now, in her early 50's, she still looks a lot younger than her years.)

Thinking way back: my FIL was 33 when he matriculated at Cornell. He pledged Psi Upsilon and, evidently, he fit in okay with the youngsters. (Granted, he pledged in 1928....)

I was in ASA at Clarion.

I think if you go to open rush parties in the spring they will realize you are interested - until then keep being friendly to the sorority women you do meet! Good Luck!

I pledged as a 22 year old junior (almost senior) transfer. It really depends, onthe chapter and how the school is.


As for AI and Theta, Theta doesnt really do that.......House mom's that are not Theta, or aunts or mother's of Theta's that have contributed a lot of time and whatever to the chapter and that every one loves are the only people I know of that have done AI with Theta. Pretty much, if you dont get in as an undergrad, then you dont get in. I could be wrong though.....but I've never heard anything differently.

Never too late to go Greek!
 

Greetings all.

Gee, am I the only Fraternity Guy to respond to this thread? ;-)

Ah well, hope you gals don't mind hearing my two cents worth - and being from Canada, my Canadian two cents worth is worth a little less than an American two cents worth ;-)

But seriously, Amalia is not alone in her desire to go Greek at a later age. I have heard this kind of thing many, many times and I think it is kind of sad that older students are not really encouraged to participate in Fraternity/Sorority life.

Now, I understand that in many cases, social fraternal organizations on college campuses are designed to provide 'socialization' ie, a 'home-away-from-home' for young undergrads, but the fact is that nowadays, in the 21st Century, things have changed a LOT.

Many students now fit into the 'non-traditional' student category. Not all are young, 19 - 25 year olds with little life experience. Yet, there are many folks with a LOT of experience and the desire to participate who are denied the chance based on their age.

Well, I think that in this new Century, where everyone is working hard to eliminate prejudicial barriers to race, gender, sexual orientation and the like, we should also be paying attention to a type of bias that is still prevalent: Age discrimination.

I have the good fortune to be part of a fraternity which sees older students (Undergrads as well as Grad Students) as valuable potential members.

As a holder of more than one Baccalaureate degree, and now, an older student, I can certainly see how a person might miss out on the chance to go Greek while younger, but still want to contribute at an older age.

So, to Amalia as well as any others who still want to go Greek, I say: "Keep Trying!"

To the Recruiting and Rush committees of College fraternities and Sororities, I say: "Consider the value and experience of older people."

Mike Wolf

Gamma Beta Lambda Fraternity

sigh
 

I really wish age didn't matter. B/c I would rush next year in a heartbeat. But, sigh - it does.

Which is sad b/c now that I"m older I respect everything a lot more. I swear I'd be a good asset!

Older Members
 

Hey Daisy.

Well, don't give up too soon. There are more and more non-traditional Sororities and fraternities out there then you may think I am sure.

You are right: No doubt you would be an excellent asset.

Wisdom and experience never comes cheap and is always well met in my fraternity - but then again, the men who originally founded my fraternity were all post graduates - the original founder was in his seventies!

I guess you could call us
'non- traditional' to be sure!

But then, when you consider that most 'modern' fraternities are based (even if loosely) on the Masonic model, you can see that a bunch of 'good 'ol boys' forming a fraternal brotherhood is not that unusual at all.

Regards.

Mike Wolf
Gamma Beta Lambda Fraternity

I pledged in Spring 2003 at NAU. I am a proud member of not only GAO but also of being a member of our BETA CLASS. There was 3 of us in my class and I was the oldest at 30yrs. I am an undergraduate that took 5yrs off to "find" herself. I had always wanted to be Greek. I can never remember a time when I didn't tell somebody that I was going to be a Soror when I went to college, and now that I have found my HOME and I have the best sisters that anyone could ever want. Most of the girls are in the age range of 18-23. My chapter founders are all about 7yrs younger then I am , but I have much respect for them and they for me. My age was never an issue, because it just was'nt dicussed or rather the girls never made it an issue. So if you want to go greek find a house that is open to taking strong, bright females no matter how old. I did and I have never regretted it.

Oh one more thing.... did I mention that I am also the proud mother of a GAO legacy and she loves her Tias and her Tias love her completely
:D :p :)

Mommag2 brings up some interesting points. Don't give up! Amalia, perhaps you will have some luck investigating your options in other councils, if you have them at your school. Most of the cultural and multicultural greek organizations are open to people of all ages. I think the only difficulty you might run into with a non-NPC sorority may be the fact that you already have one degree, but I seriously doubt your age would be an issue. With regard to "fitting-in," I think you'd be fine because you can typically find a diverse range of ages, even in undergrad.

Edited to send some LGLO love to Mommag2 & the Gamma Ladies! :)