22 year old sophomore. Can I rush a fraternity?
 

When I go to school in the fall, in terms of credit hours, I will be a sophomore, but I'm 22.

I'm wondering if I will automatically get cut because of my age, or if they will disregard my age and treat me like any other sophomore.

I've read all the other threads on here about rushing as an upperclassman but haven't found anything pertaining to my situation, and most of them had to do with sororities rather than fraternities.

The school is UCF by the way.

Why are you a 22 year old sophomore? Military service, didn't have the $$ for school until now, what?

Disclaimer: I know nothing about UCF specifically, and I will leave that to others. Also, I am thinking that you mean an NIC fraternity, not an NPHC or multicultural fraternity.

The reason you see a lot about sororities and not fraternities is that sororities have a strict quota, so if they give a spot to an upperclassman, it is one fewer spot they have for a freshman. Fraternities usually do not have quota (I think there are only a handful of schools that do), so an upperclassman is not taking a freshman's spot, so to speak.

Now, that said, I don't know of a single fraternity anywhere who will take anyone, so they are still evaluating whether or not you are a good fit, not just for the fraternity, but for the pledge class, i.e. can you be a guy who bonds with a bunch of 18-year-olds?

I would suggest two things: 1) Give rush a shot. 2) Be very honest with yourself about the brothers' reactions to you. If you are seemingly ignored in favor of the younger guys, move on, and try to find a group that seems interested in you.

No military service, I did one year of college then just traveled for 2 years to see the world.

I definitely won't have a problem bonding with 18 year olds, I was just wondering if they would refuse to let me pledge just because I'm 22. I don't look 22 either, so should I tell the brothers right off the bat that I'm 22? If I just say I'm a sophomore they'll probably assume I'm 19.

Just chill out and go through recruitment. You can't control what they will do, but I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it.

Don't lie. Be up front and honest. Some groups might cut you; others won't care. Some will think it is cool that you traveled when they've never been out of their home state.

I won't lie, but they're not likely to straight up ask my age are they? Like I said I don't look a day older than 18, so they'll probably ask what year I'm in and I'll say sophomore. So should I also add "by the way, just so you know, I'm 22"?

I wouldn't. If the age question does get brought up, then go right away and say it

I know at UCF they are very open to allowing people of all ages into Greek Life.

Tell them you're a sophomore, but at some point, it should come up that you did 2 years worth of traveling. If the brothers can't get together to compare notes and do the math, they can't be irked that you didn't spell it all out.

Nice, that's reassuring, thanks man. Do you go to UCF and know people that have been initiated at 22 or older?