English student studying in Florida
 

Hi everybody!

I have already posted this thread in the Introduction forum (I'm new), but I feel it may be more appropriate to post it here.

I am English and in my first year of study at my English university. I have the opportunity to study in the US for a year next year (academic year 2011/2012) and I would really love to join a sorority- would this be possible? I know that as I will only be at my American university for one year that it might not be feasible, but I thought this would be the best place to ask! Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

J-A xx

People certainly have done it. It's a matter of whether the particular campus allows foreign students to participate and whether any of the groups are willing to take the chance on you. Once you decide where you are going, get in touch with the Greek Life office on that campus for more detailed information.

I'm actually going a little out of my lane here (I'm a guy in a fraternity), but here are a few things to consider:

- Sororities generally like to have people who can stick around a while so they can learn more about the organization and contribute more as an active.
- If you join a sorority, you're going to be spending a good portion of your first semester as a pledge. If you get initiated, you're going to be around as an active for just one more semester before going back to England.
- Unless the sorority you end up joining has an alumnae organization in England, you're going to lose touch pretty quickly. This isn't ideal as membership in a Greek Life organization is supposed to be for life.

In summary, you're going to a really competitive university in terms of sorority recruitment, and since you're only going to be there for a year, your situation isn't exactly ideal. You simply won't be there long enough to reap all of the benefits.

In any situation, follow the advice above and talk to the Greek Life office. You still have a chance, and there have been cases where someone joined a sorority as a senior (which puts them in a very similar situation to you).

certainly check it out-no matter which college in florida you may be attending. the sorority members might think it is really neat to have a sister from england, even if they only get to enjoy your company for one year.

So long as you are a full time student enrolled at that university, you can rush. I'd suggest not telling the sororities you will only be there for a year to increase your chances. (now waiting for people to jump all over me for saying that)

Are you suggesting that she lie when they ask? That's always a great way to start out.

Her other thread says she will be at the University of Miami. My understanding is that while recruitment there can be competitive, it's nowhere near the level that it is at the big Florida schools.

Yeah there's no way someone who's an exchange student is NOT going to get asked "So how long are you here for?" at some point. Lying = bad.

i believe you have to have 12 hours of college classes(not sure if it is miami credits or any college credits) and that formal recruitment is now held during winter semester.

OK, thanks everybody, you've been so helpful! I will contact the Greek Life office to find out some more details. It's great to know that it's not completely out of the question though! :D

I believe there is an Alumnae Panhellenic chapter in London, so your connection wouldn't necessarily be lost after just one year.

But do keep in mind that if you mean UF or FSU your chances aren't great. Both of those schools have highly competitive recruitments and they might not want to take your place away from a "real" member, or one who will be there for the long term, including lifelong alumnae involvement. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. The recruitment process is unlike anything you'll ever do in your life, even if it doesn't work out as you'd like. And the message above about the unique perspective you can offer is right. They might like having a sister they can visit in England.

Don't know if you saw this, upthread:

And - if FSUZeta's information is correct, recruitment is during the winter so the OP would only have one semester/half a year of membership.

Maybe not such a great plan?

She could still possibly join a chapter through informal recruitment if there are chapters not at total in the fall, if the 12 class hours are any-college hours and not The U hours.

Hi there! I'm an American currently living in the UK. First off, you won't loose touch quickly if you are only around for a year! There are TONS of sorority women living overseas (in fact a lot of sororities have Virtual Alumnae Groups that help keep these sisters connected!). I also know that DG has a London Alumnae Group as well.

Anyway, it's definitely not ideal to be around only for a year, but not impossible and it gives the chapters a unique opportunity to network world-wide.

I wrote some recommendations for a young Brit who was doing a 1 year exchange program at Berkeley and she rushed successfully. I would definitely recommend talking to the Director of Greek Life about your unique circumstances. Panhellenic may be able to vote to allow you to be a "quota addition" - to allow you to pledge without taking the spot of someone who would be there for 4 years should you get a bid.

Where in England are you? Let me know if you have any additional questions/need help. I'm in Gloucestershire.

We had a cute Scottish girl go through recruitment at my (fairly competitive) university. She ended up pledging a popular group. Everyone wanted her because she was cute, nice, outgoing and foreign - something new and different. If you can be a quota addition (as WhiteDaisy said), your chances are good. If not, you may still be okay because of the whole "exotic" factor. Definitely let the Greek Life office know, and they can probably tell you what your best bet would be (formal vs informal, etc). Good luck!

Thanks Whitedaisy and angels&angels! I have checked the handbook for greek life at Miami, and it says that exchange students are allowed to rush in the fall semester. Should I still speak to the greek life office anyway though, to request that I pledge as a quota addition? How likely to you think it is that I would be granted a quota addition status?

In answer to your question, I live in Sussex, in Brighton. Where abouts in Gloucestershire are you?

Ty! x