Greek Transition HELP!
 

Hey everyone! I'm a Senior in high school still, but I will be signing my favorite house this Thursday (Yayy!!)

Lately I've been thinking about how I'll be moving out this Fall and living in the house.. And I've started to think about the major changes that will occur...

I was just hoping that maybe you guys could share your transition to greek life stories... moving in the house, what to expect, major differences from living at home, the good things, the bad things, etc...

For me, I've always been a bit spoiled (only child) and have never had to share things (bathroom, bedroom, possessions, etc) so I'm expecting major changes and just praying that I'll be prepared enough to adapt.

Soooo... Prepare me please!! :D

As always, any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.

I'll let you all know how Thursday goes!

Thanks much,
-Matt

Umm... still in high school and signing? This is possible?

Signing my bid. Sorry for the confusion. -- And yes this is possible, informal fraternity rush at my school is year-round. I've been rushing since the beginning of Fall.

No, I understand completely what you're saying. I just thought the fraternities had to wait until summer Rush, if that's allowed at the school.

Impossible I say!! :p

I could be wrong, but unless it's some local group, I do not see how this could be legit.

I'm not sure about regulations or anything. This is a national fraternity. I've gotten 4 bids so far but I'm signing my choice house this Thursday... So i'm pretty sure it is possible. I'm their first rushee and first person to sign for Fall so far though.

--

There are just under 30 fraternities on my campus. Of those, in all the time I've been rushing I've only been able to check out 7. Since guys aren't like formal sorority rush, it would be very difficult to make a wise choice on a house if you DIDNT rush early. It is my understanding that a fraternity may extend a bid at any time during the year.

Thx

I don't think it's the time of year that everyone is confused about. It's the fact that you have not yet graduated...how does that work?

This one throws me also!

A school with just under 30 Fraternities is a damn large school, period.

I am planning on talking with a couple young men who are going to my Alma Mater, but cannot be signed/pinned until the appropriate rush period.

I too would like to find out a lot more about this! I dont know any school with that large of a Fraterity population, that doesnt have some sort of rush schedual. Maybe pre rush, but not signing a bid card per say.

That's how the major schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska do it. There may be other states that have recruitment like this also. They have rush parties throughout the state, and the pledge classes move right into the house as freshman.

I wasn't sure if this was still practiced; however, I have been out of the loop for a while.

In any case, "back in the day", some fraternities would extend bids to high school seniors. The basic criteria was that you had been accepted to or you were enrolled in the school.

Depending on the school, your bid usually was not binding until you were technically enrolled. If it turned out that you did not actually attend the school, then the bid was revoked. (Duh) Often a school would have an "official" bid date - could be in the summer, often in the fall - when the school recognized the bid.

Historically, these bids were issued to men who lived in the area (hometown, or nearby town), or have a high profile. (academic, athletic, community service) And most are given to men who have connections to the chapter. Either they are a legacy, have current friends in the chapter, and or alumni from their town give them a high recommendation. Basically, the idea is to get the men the chapter knows they want, locked in now.

FYI: I have also heard the term "tapping" used for pre-college bids. As in "Dakota has been *tapped* to join ABC." The *bid* would be extended either during the summer or fall depending on the school's policy.

I guess my initial topic isn't gonna be addressed lol but thats OK!

Yeah I'm not really sure how this works, I do have friends in the house and I've gotten to know many of the members pretty well...

I know that within the last few weeks, many of the fraternities have had rush parties (for Fall 04) They're largely populated by local HS seniors since it is in the middle of the school year. I was told that before going through the rush lists, the local actives like to call up the local high school guys and rush them because they most likely know them and have an idea what they are like... That was most likely the case with me, except I contacted them via a rush form. (rush lists weren't even around until recently)

I was told that their main recruitment is during the summer where they'll have rush parties, tailgates, floating trips, etc... But they can recruit year-round.

As far as if the bid I'm getting is official or not, I'm not sure. I assumed it was. I was talked to my friend Ryan, he asked when I would sign and I told him as soon as he gave me a bid. He told me it was already taken care of and that this Thursday they were planning on taking me our to any restaurant of my choice (on the house) and presenting me with a bid... I was told that the bid was just a standard bid card in which I'd get a carbon copy... And thats about as much as I know....

THe point is, Whether it is an actual bid or a napkin I'm signing, it doesn't matter. They are saying that they want me to join and It looks that I'll be able to be a part of my choice house! Which is a huge deal for me, and I'm excited about it.. :D

-Matt

I've never heard of this. But, even if it is permitted, I don't think it's a good idea. How about letting high school students get acclimated to college, focus on their studiess, and THEN consider "transitioning into Greekdom."

My advice to the original poster would be to arrange your priorities in that order. You might also find that "transitioning into Greekdom," before you "transition into college," may be overwhelming.

Good luck and remember your real purpose.

Your last paragraph is disturbing. Whether or not the bid is real or a napkin can be the difference between whether this whole thing is fake (against regulation and you won't actually be a recognized member, in the end) or real (you'll be officially recognized as a member because this whole process was in accordance to regulation).

Do these organizations have to comply with university regulations, or anything? You might want to make sure this whole thing is credible and official.

As I said in my previous post, I think recruiting from high school populations is a bust. But, since you're so excited about this whole thing and set on doing it, at least make sure it's real.

ChaosDST,

This is the way that this has been done in part of the country for a hundred years. Its official, with the school, and its part of the local culture. If you want to see what the regulations are, go to the websites for the Universities of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Nebraska. I'm sure that at least one of these schools has it posted.

This is what KU's website says regarding IFC recruitment....(i've bolded the appropriate parts.

To participate in the University of Kansas fraternity recruitment process, please complete the Information Card, or call the Interfraternity Council (IFC) at (785) 864-3559. The IFC will then distribute your name and biographical information to each fraternity with the expectation that you will be contacted by them. It is important that you remain actively involved in the recruitment process. IFC recommends that you visit as many chapters as possible, which will give you a better basis for comparison when it is time to make your decision on which chapter to join. Ninety percent of all men who join fraternities do so during their freshman year. More than 500 incoming freshmen will join fraternities by the time school starts.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) sponsors two organized recruitment programs: Informal, and Formal Recruitment.

Informal Recruitment
Fraternities host recruitment events throughout the school year, and you are encouraged to attend as many events as possible. Informal Recruitment takes place throughout the school year and as fraternities invite men to visit and learn about their fraternities through activities ranging from sporting events to open houses for parents. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, and events are conducted on a chapter-by-chapter basis. However, prospective members still have the opportunity to see other fraternities and ask questions. Fraternities are allowed to recruit interested high school and college students throughout the year. Men already attending KU, as well as transfer students can join a fraternity at any time during the year. High school students who have been accepted to KU cannot join a fraternity until May 4, 2003.
---------------------------------------------------

While KU specifies a date, maybe his school allows the same process just with earlier dates. Spring recruitment is a normal thing around here.

SiKes, I dont think anyone is side stepping the issue that you are asking about. I think that many of us are not aware of how some schools do pre-rush.


Okay, lets get back to your original question!

1. Going away from Home for the first time can be tramatic. You have to study or not pass a class. Not help unless you ask for help when in need.

2. Joining a any social group can be over whelming unless their Prioritys are to make sure you get your grades to become Active and a Viable Member of that Organization. YOU will learn, that you are a Member with Brothers who Will Interact or you will be gone. You will find, that alone, but with others who you can turn to.

a. there will be times that you will be not your own, for things that must be done for "The Group'!

3. Set Your Priorities, you are there to go to College First, Graduate and go out into the Big World. Second, truthfully, joining a Greek Organization is secondary! But, the one that in the over all and long run picture is the one that you actually learn the most from!

4. You will have Hopefully Brothers or Actives who are there to guide you. If they have their Heads on straight, the main thing again is to get you active, a member of the Fraternity, the Greek Community, and the School. This is where you will learn how to interact with people when you graduate.

Example: When I graduated from College, I was hired by R.H. Macys and was told OKAY, now, WE are oing to teach you about the Retail Business Trade. You just learned in college how to study, We are going to teach you how to be proffesional! Being in a Greek Organization will help you do that!

Example: A member of GreekChat has a son who was a 4 Fraternity Legacy. Because of some GCers, she nudged him toward a certain one. Today, she has said, He has come out of his shell, not only a different person, but growing from the fact of what he has been through to become a Active Member, but is a totally different Young Man!

I hope, that you stay on long enough to keep us updated to your travels into Greek Life!:)

I didn't realize this was going on. I know that many schools allow fraternities to recruit incoming freshman, but it's usually the summer after they graduate. Sororities of course are much stricter. This is all very interesting to know!

Thanks for the info, russell and alphagam :)

Double thanks to you both!!!!!:cool: I am 30 Min. for KU and did not know how their Rush Worked!

Guess it makes sense with Schools that have that many Greek Organizations!:)

Hard for a small school Grad to understand all of this!:(

I'm pretty sure its official, seeing that other fraternities I've checked out have also issued me bids... I am thinking that this is just the way our campus works -- That they allowed early rush. It is actually encouraged to start pretty early. I have friends who have accepted bids as earlier as April.

What I meant by the napkin comment was that it didn't matter to me whether or not it was official YET... If there is a certain date in which they must wait, they would take care of it and make sure they follow regulations, I'd think. This is one of the strongest fraternities on campus (of 30) so I'm fairly comfortable with trusting them. Plus, I've got a couple friends within the fraternity who are looking after me, giving me advice and encouraging me to make the right decisions. The point I was trying to make was that I was happy that they showed interest enough to take me out and invite me to be a part of their organization. :)



I've been accepted into college, my grades and classes are doin' good and I think that if now isn't the appropriate time to look into greek life, then when is? When else would I have the opportunity to look indepth into a campus with so many choices yet still make a good one? How I will adapt to college life, doing college work and studying goes hand in hand with where I'm living... I'm obviously going to have to adapt and find ways to keep my head above the water when it comes to academics and will need to learn time management.. Thats why I Was asking for advice that might help me become a little more prepared... So that I will know what to look forward to..> Thanks for your post tho

Tom --- Awesome. I appreciate your advice and taking the time to address my questions... Thanks!

-Matt

Pre-Rush is very common
 

I have two friends that have "weird" bid sotries. One guy was a highschool senior but he was dual enrolled at the local college. LOTS of seniors around here do that. So the fraternity rushed, pledged and initatied him while he was in highschool because he was technically an enrolled student.

By other friend Bill was at the local community college and joined Sigma Nu at the big State School next door while still at community college. I guess they were assuming he'd eventually go to the big state school, but he never did. Neither did two of his pledge buddies. All of them were at the community college.

I guess every school is different and every organization is different.

Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

That is kinda crazy! So -- when he graduated from highschool, was he a sophomore in college? or would he still be considered a freshman?? Thats cool though, never heard anything like that before...


-- Another thing I found out the other night about the campus/fraternity... I'm not sure if its the individual fraternity's rule or the IFC but I found out that it is possible to live in the dorms and still rush, pledge, join this fraternity... This sort of surprised me because I figured all fraternities would require you to live in-house... I guess since this is a larger one that really isn't hurting for #s, they can do that... Learn something new everyday :confused:

I have heard arguments on both sides of this. I see a lot of benefits for pledging before the school year begins. You might not transitioned into college, but when you start classes and all the academic stuff you already have a support system. The first year of college is a big change for anyone-- think of all the girls that rush first semester at college--- they get to school, rush, and start classes often within the same week. That is a lot is juggle. At least the guys who pledged during the summer have already met and gotten to know their support system, it is a couple of less things to balance. I would be all for my sons rushing during the summer (ok, so that is 13yrs away!):)

And SikeS--Tom gave you some good advice--- can't think of much I would add to that.

-wendi

My advice falls in line with my comments. Even if something is permitted, I would wait until I wasn't still a high school student.

Beyond that, Tom's advice is similar to mine.

Re: Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

heh, at my college you DO pledge when you live in the dorm (or off campus, depending on your living situation)- you dont live in the house, usually, when you pledge. (However, in my pledge class, one of the girls lived in the house as a subletter, then decided to join. she was the exception). And most fraternities and sororities here dont require you to live in the house at all. Some may require to live there a year, but not the entire time you're at school.

I cant give you advice since I pledged as a sophomore in college, thus my situation was drastically different than yours.

The Delt chapter at Nebraska will generally recruit 30-35 new members during freshman orientation(s) during the summer.

While technically not high school students anymore, neither are they officially college freshmen the way I see it.

I've been invited to one of their summer rush events -- which are very nice and fairly casual.

I like it, and it takes a lot of stress off of everyone during formal rush.

Re: Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

Nope, lots of schools require their freshmen to in dorms, so even after they're intiated, they wouldn't be moving into the house until sophomore year. I don't think I've ever heard of an organization that required FRESHMEN to live in house.

Re: Re: Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

This is for fraternities? I know sororities here have girls live in dorms freshman year... But it is very very common (here) for incomming freshman guys to move into the house at the end of summer before their freshman year. I always figured it was just required.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

I don't know about fraternities, but like I said, there are schools that require freshmen to live in regular dorms for a year before deciding to move elsewhere.

Re: Pre-Rush is very common
 

That is VERY bad!!!!!!!!!!