Army Reservist at SEC NPC?
 

Hi! I've searched the forums, and I haven't managed to find any info on this. I'm looking into going through recruitment at University of South Carolina, and I'm wondering how to bring up the fact that I am in the Army Reserve, and I'm curious how that fact might affect me in recruitment. I know that I'm behind the curve, as I'll be a transfer student, and depending on how many courses I decide to take over the summer, I'm on the fence between freshman and sophomore year. I have a predicted 3.42 GPA.

Obviously this is something that will likely set me apart from most of the others going through recruitment, and I'd like advice on how to use this to set myself apart in a positive light, rather than a negative one.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, particularly from SEC greeks that know what it's like to go through competitive recruitment. Thank you!

:)

I'm not familiar with South Carolina or SEC Recruitment (aside from what I read here on GC) but I wanted to bring your thread TTT so that someone who is can find it and give you the answers you need. I saw the responses you got in your Introduction thread and am hoping you'll get better answers here.

That said, thank you for your service to our country and I wish you the best of luck in your recruitment.

I'm not sure about the Reserve part but I can tell you there were a couple of active ROTC members in my daughter's sorority at South Carolina. Good luck and thank you for your service!

I know quite a few Greek service members. One of my sisters was profiled in one of our Theta Magazines a few years ago.:) A big "THANK YOU!" and good luck to you at SC!

yes-thank you for your service! i wouldn't worry about being in the reserves(unless you are called for maneuvers during recruitment). if it comes up in conversation, discuss it-i think most people would be intrigued, impressed and thankful for what you do. if it doesn't come up during recruitment, you would want to let your sorority know, so they can work with your reserve schedule, should you receive a bid. good luck!!

Couldn't she put that information down in any recs should would get? That would be one way to inform the chapters.

If anything, I think mentioning the way you serve your country would make you even more appealing/interesting. Thank you for your service.

Hooah!
 

First, I want to say, "Thank you for your service." Though I didn't go through recruitment at a school in the SEC, I attended a Big Ten university. I actually went through recruitment after serving overseas.

I spent a semester at Penn State before being deployed to Iraq, during the war. When I returned, I completed a spring semester and took 25 credits (no, your eyes are deceiving you-I was crazy) over the summer! I ended up graduating, that summer, with my Associate's degree because I had completed over 60 credits.

By the time I went through recruitment, I was 21 years-old, a war veteran, and (due to how many credits I had earned) a junior. I had the cards def. stacked against me. Some chapters thought it was cool that I had served my country in a war zone, where I earned various medals. Others questioned whether or not I would be getting deployed again. I just want you to be prepared for that--especially if you are looking at potentially getting deployed.

I will say that there will be chapters that may dismiss you--not that they would outright say it--because they fear you will get deployed (this ISN'T ROTC and the potential IS there). There are some, like my GLO, which will think it is really cool. I would say, from the perspective of someone who went through recruitment as a female war veteran, keep an open mind. If I had listened to the tent-talk, I might not have shown up to pref. at some of the chapters I preffed or accepted the bid to the organization I love and call home.

Keep an open mind and GOOD LUCK!

If you're currently in South Carolina the Alumnae Panhellenic can help you with recommendations. http://columbiaaph.weebly.com/ if you're somewhere else this page can help you find another group http://www.npcwomen.org/alumnae-panh...directory.aspx

If you do join a sorority make sure to get your Reserve schedule turned in as soon as you get it so your sisters know and you can have official excuses and make sure your sisters know that military commitments are serious and not showing up is an AWOL situation no one wants. On a field trip a classmate had cleared going but the paperwork was approved but on someone's desk and the police ended up at their home and work looking for him. We were out in the woods and no one had cell phone service so it was not a fun situation for his wife.

I'd definitely have it mentioned on any applications or recs, maybe under activities if there isn't a place for employment. Being in the Reserves shows a sign of commitment as well as leadership that often affects the whole person in regards to academics, personal appearance, loyalty, and just getting things done.

I like als463. :)

This is my single favorite comment of yours on GC (even though you mentioned Penn State again :p). I appreciate your service and your motivation.

Kbelle, thank you for your service to our great country. That being said, as a mom of a Gamecock graduate, please get recs, get recs, get recs, and do keep an open mind!

Thanks DrPhil and Presciousjeni. I like you both, too! Sorry, I just HAD to mention "that place" because it was relevant as an example of attending a big school with a decent-sized Greek system. Good luck to the OP!

als463, perhaps you'll consider adding your veteran status to your signature? Your post reminds me that there is far more we don't know about others than we do know.

Add my appreciation and thanks for your service to those you've already received from others.

AZTheta, what a cute idea! Thanks! I will do that! Thank you for acknowledging the men and women out there who fight for our freedoms (my little brother is now one of them)!