SMU recruitment question:
 

I used a Google search of the forum before this post, but didn't find any posts that address a situation like mine - so here goes.

I opted out of high school at 14 to attend an early college program at a liberal arts college in the northeast. It not only had no Greek life, but was very anti-Greek. I am now 18, and planning to attend grad school at SMU. Other than my academic status, I'm a typical Texas/Southern PNM - high grades, lots of campus involvement and volunteer work, outgoing and team oriented.

In my searches of this site, I found out that only three NPC sororities may pledge grad students. Alpha Xi Delta, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Delta Gamma. Of the three, only DG is at SMU.

Realistically, do I have a shot? If yes, should I try informal or spring formal?

While I admire your desire to do this, the first issue is whether the Panhellenic at SMU will allow a grad student to participate in recruitment, not whether any group's bylaws allow grad members. And while a group may allow grad members they may not allow grad PNMs - which is an entirely different thing. Many will allow an undergrad to continue as a member when in grad school if they get permission. So starting out as a grad student may be a problem.

The bottom line is - the only person who can answer this question for you is the Greek Adviser at SMU and I suggest you contact them.

This exactly.

Thank you for this. I didn't even consider that campus Panhellenic might have a rule that superseded any individual organization's. I'll check on this today, when their offices open.

Well, it might not supersede them all. As I said, just because a group allows grad members does not mean they are allowed as PNMs. It's usually that they will allow a person who is already a member of the chapter to remain a member while in grad school. As I said before, there is a distinct difference.

And as a correction to your original statement, Delta Gamma requires that a potential new member be a full time student registered in a course of study that leads to a Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent and that is so stated in the Fraternity Constitution. Not sure where you got your information.

Several posters in other threads about grad students and recruitment mentioned DG. The .org website only says:

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I guess that's it!

Congratulations on your early admission and completion of your undergraduate degree! That is quite an accomplishment.

As Titchou recommended, contact the Greek Adviser at SMU and go from there. You won't know until you ask and you might get a green light... but you won't know until you ask. Good luck to you!

While the web site does have that statement, I assure you that the Constitution says "bachelor's degree or its equivalent" to be eligible for membership.

I had great support from my college. And I'm not quite there yet -- just have to not die of exhaustion for 5 more days.

I just got off the telephone with the Greek Life office. The lady who took my call confirmed that all of the NPC sororities at SMU are undergraduate only.

(I'm a little disappointed. I told myself I wasn't going to get my hopes up, but I did.)

Best of luck at SMU - and congrats on your soon to be completed undergrad degree! So sorry that your answer was not what you hoped.

Does anyone close to Dallas have suggestions for groups that might provide the same kinds of social opportunities with my age group peers? My last campuses were very low key, not big on sports or big parties - basically the opposite of a social school in an urban setting.

There will be a lot of organizations on campus that you will probably fit in well with, being the same age, if not at the same education level of many girls. There are service fraternities and sororities and others, like music fraternities and sororities (as a for instance) that might be open to a grad student. Plus all kinds of other groups that you'll find.

I really feel for you. This is the kind of rule that should be allowed to be broken every once in a while. But that being said, I wouldn't plan on that happening, just saying it seems like it should. In any case, don't let it dampen your excitement for the next stage of your life and also don't let it limit your desire to make friends your own age and have typical college girl fun.

Are you able to live in the dorms? I guess I would if I were you, as it will give you the opportunity to live that freshman experience that goes well beyond class work. If not, just make it a priority to join clubs and other activities that interest you.

Best of luck to you!

I'm in graduate housing, and my classes are at the Plano campus. So, yay kitchenette and no roommate. Boo for the social aspects. Here it's not such a big deal, because the school has a commitment to early college, so there are kids my age and the older students are used to us.

I just have the wiggins about moving completely cross country, going into a predominately male program, and being separate from the main campus except for living there. Some of it may be sleep deprivation hallucination and OMG I GRADUATE IN 4 DAYS, too.

Congratulations on your (soon-to-be) graduation!

I'm sure NPC actives and alums can shed more light on this, but would it be possible to do an "alumnae initiation" to a chapter in your area, even if it's not at SMU specifically? It might be worth checking out!

One does not pursue NPC AI. One is pursued for it.