Transferring - Switching fraternities
 

So I will most likely be transferring within the next year or two from my current school. At this school, I have already pledged to a fraternity but have yet to actually get initiated. That won't happen until after the fall semester.

I really like Greek life and my biggest worry is that I will transfer to a school where my fraternity isn't very big, doesn't have guys that I really want to consider my brothers, or doesn't exist.

So basically, when I transfer to my new school, I want to be able to go through the recruitment process again and find the fraternity that is right for me at that school. Plus, I don't want to feel like I'm restricted to certain schools because of my affiliation to this current fraternity.

So basically, can I de-pledge and go through recruitment again at my new school and pledge to a different fraternity?

Generally speaking, no.

Once you're initiated, it's for life. And even if you resign afterwards, most organizations will still not initiate you.

Even prior to initiation? I think that if he drops out before initiating, he may be 'tarnished' but he'd still be free to pursue another organization.

OP: Don't interpret this as "it will be easy to get in elsewhere." With social media sites being so prevalent, it's not uncommon for people to "find you out," even after transferring. Many organizations don't want to take a chance on someone who's wishy-washy when it comes to GLO affiliation.

He said he wasn't initiated yet, so he should be able to go through recruitment/rush at his new school.

Pay particular attention to my wording: "Once you're initiated."

I agree that technically anything before that is fair game. Of course, once you get to your dream school and rush as a Junior, there aren't a lot of good houses who will give you the time of day.

He asked what would happen if he de-pledged, not if he de-activated. Your response seemed to be more fitting for the latter. That's probably where the disconnect was.

Go to the forum index marked thread starter under the Greek Life section or any other category you want to start a new thread under, like Fraternity Recruitment or Chit Chat, etc. Hit the icon marked new thread (the blue oval) that says new thread). Define your thread, then post. Wait for replies. :) The icon's at the top on the left

Even if you initiate, it depends on the orgs involved. I know a guy who was a Delta Sigma Phi, disaffiliated, and a year later was initiated into Theta Chi.

Be sure to get accepted into your next choice of college first, before you go and make any irreversible decisions.

Also, read the sticky on Greek Life Forum posting rules & guidelines first before posting since you are new. :)

Personally I'd say if you like this group, stick it out through initiation. I've talked to a lot of my brothers who "were most likely going to transfer" after their first year and are still here, so you never know what the future holds and you may rule out transferring as you get more involved on your current campus.

If you do transfer though there's a few solutions to the problems you presented. If the school doesn't have your org, talk to their Greek Life office and your Nationals and see if you can start a colony. If you don't jive with that chapter's brothers, you can usually choose not to affiliate and go early alum.

Very good point. Be SURE you are going to transfer for reasons that have nothing to do with your social life - i.e. the cost of the school is too exorbitant even with loans, or you're changing to a major they don't have - before you drop out. Also, be sure you've been accepted at the transfer school first.

You were a transfer school?

BOO @ spammers trying to jump in the convo.

Unless you know your transfer school's Greek Life environment, you have no way to know if you'll get a bid. Like others have said, being a sophomore or junior at some schools automatically relegate you to "bottom tier" houses. That doesn't sound like where you want to be. If you don't know where you're going to transfer yet, you're pretty much shooting in the dark.

Plus if you're transferring to a new school in two years as a junior, you have the exact same number of semesters as an active as you would at your current school. Do you really want to go through pledging as a junior?

If you know you're going to transfer to a new school at the end of your freshman year, I would de-pledge and rush at a new school. If you're going to transfer as a junior, I wouldn't.

Once you're initiated, you're in it for life essentially (unless you get your national organization to release you, which still doesn't guarantee you'll get a bid somewhere else).

Yes you can de-pledge before initiation and rush again, but what worries me is the time frame you are talking about.

You say that you will transfer in 1 or 2 years.

College takes 4 years- 5 if you milk it with the parents or stupidly take the extra year of fun on student loans.

And if you are transferring in 1-2 years, then you would be rushing as a sophomore or junior wherever you end up- which will limit your options for rush depending on the school.

Based on what you post my question is what are you looking for with the college exeperience? Academics and job prospects come first is my advice. Fraternity comes second.

What matters more to you? What do you think of the chapter where you have pledged? If you like the chapter- you should stay and deal with the transfer when it comes. If you are not happy with your choice you should depledge and see what comes when you transfer.

Your academic career comes first. Being Greek is secondary. And if you really have respect for the chapter you chose to pledge- you will see it through and deal with the risks of transferring when the time comes.