Sorority Girl from England?
 

I know there've been a couple of other posts about this subject but I wanted to ask a few questions to clarify...
I'm currently studying at university in England and I'm due to spend a year in America in my third year. I am really interested in joining a sorority as a way to meet a new (hopefully welcoming) group of girls to become part of something not only social but also supportive.
However I will only be in the USA for a year, so I'm not sure if I would make it through rush.
What is the general etiquette on international students (who aren't in America for longer than a year) joining sororities? I would be aged 20ish if I pledged and so no longer a freshman either.

Thank you for reading/responding! x

It honestly depends on where you go if you would be admitted to rush, but honestly I do not see it happening for you. :( Rush is only about a week, but the New Member Process takes almost an entire semester. Not to mention that you wouldn't be quite as useful in volunteering because you'd have to concentrate on your studies. Just sit back and make new friends!

Actually for many groups, the NM process only takes 6 weeks.

This is true, most sorority chapters run a 6-9 week new member program now.

My house has taken a student in your situation before, as has at least one other house on campus (though she wasn't international and it didn't turn out so great. see: felony charges, though unrelated to her exchange student status). But its really going to depend on the culture of your school, whether having a member there for a shorter amount of time is seen as okay or just not done.

Thank you for your responses - do you know any way it is possible to check which schools have what stance?
and how much do you think it would be detrimental to my enjoyment and participation of the year to not be in a sorority? x

There are a few threads here on International students. Someone mentioned that at one school they had woman go through that everyone else wanted. Another school, University of Oklahoma has them participate in a program with a sorority but they are not initiated. I say go for it. If you don't try, you have already failed.

I would equate "competitive recruitment" with not likely to succeed (although still possible!) and less competitive with a better chance. Search through here focusing on that. If you're going to an SEC/Florida/Texas school, I would still go through if you want, but understand they're probably not going to give up a VERY valuable space to someone who can only give one year.

I believe there is an Alumnae Panhellenic in London. After you've decided that you are going through, I'd contact them to see about recommendations and hopefully some guidance.

Thanks for all your advice, it's been really helpful.
I'm pretty sure I want to do it (no harm in trying after all) I was just wondering if anyone could explain the costs a little - I understand (from extensive googling) that fees vary from uni to uni, but is being part of a sorority seriously expensive or quite manageable? x

There is no way to say without knowing what type of school you are going to. I have heard of dues from a couple hundred per year to a few thousand. However this is from the fraternity side of things, so keep that in mind.

I would suggest talking with the Greek Life office on your campus. You should be able to find an e-mail address for them on the school's Web site. I've certainly heard of it happening, and successfully. Make sure you check out the costs, and the time required.
Good luck!:D

See this thread.

It is a pretty detailed explanation of programs at some universities.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=119143

Again v. helpful, thank you!
Also I was just wondering what the differences between southern/northern USA greek life is like? It's just out of curiousity because people seem to keep referencing it in the threads that I have looked through.xx

Just asking--- Can I assume that you just finished your first year at uni and will be spending your third year over here, allowing for one more year in the UK? That would also make you be in uni for 4 years instead of 3, correct? Also, please not be choosing your school (northern or southern) based on what their greek life may be. Unless your reason for taking a year here in the US is to spend less time on your studies and more time pursuing what you think the typical-American-sorority-party-college life is. (Which sometimes, that is the reason. I'd just like to know what you're thinking.

Noooo not at all I was just wondering! (About the differences, because they keep getting mentioned).

Yeah it would be my third year, but I don't want to come to America just to party, I want to come because I want to experience something that I haven't before and meet new people and just do something different, because as much as I currently love my life I've never done something as brave/foolish as just going to a completely new country for a year and I couldn't be more excited. I want to focus on my studies too, but that's not the main reason because I can be passionate about my degree in any country, and will continue to be. If joining a sorority is part of that, then that would be wonderful and a way to make lifelong links and friends in another country (and do something to help the community through the philanthropy focus). But if I don't end up getting into the greek system then of course that isn't the end of the world, because it's not about that.

(sorry that reads a bit like a gushing teenage girl... which I totally am, but still)