Transfer student from Fayetteville State
 

Hello everyone,

I was in the military and decide to go to college. It has always been a dream of mine to join a sorority. The school I went to did not offer recruitment. They only had the divine 9. When I transfered schools I was a junior and did not seek out recruitment because I was unaware of the process. I am now a senior and will be graduating in May. I would love to join a sorority but I am afraid that I won't get a bid because I am a senior. I want to join a sorority because I want to feel apart of something that is bigger than me. I love to volunteer and help out my community. While I was in the army I organized a 5k for a friend of mine that passed away from multiple sclerosis. It I would like to ask if I would be wasting my time or if I should give it a shot. I would like to thank you in advance for answering.

I'm assuming you mean May 2015?

Yes, you will have less chance as a senior but you have no chance if you don't go through any recruitment at all.

Do you have friends in sororities now?

Not knowing where you're transferring to, I'd say go for it unless you think you couldn't handle not getting a bid.

Yes I do mean May 2015. Thank you for the encouraging words. I am just a little worried because I have been reading threads from other members and they don't recommend it.

It'll definitely vary between campuses. You definitely need to be completely open minded to all chapters and know that your class standing/age will work against you. But, like I said, if you can handle the possibility of not getting a bid you should go through recruitment. What do you have to lose otherwise?

If you're doubtful, write a pro/con list.

Get recommendations. A must if you're in an area where they're fairly common and still a good idea if you're in an area where they're rare.

Do your research and go into it prepared.

I wouldn't read SoCalGirl's comments as encouraging. Yeah, sure, give it a shot, is not exactly a glowing endorsement. And what we (generally) mean by be open to every chapter, means be open to the smallest, least successful, most struggling chapter on campus. The IT girl house on campus? They aren't taking an over 22 year old transfer senior. It's just not going to happen. They likely wouldn't take a 19 year old sophomore college transfer. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean you couldn't still have a positive experience in that smaller weaker chapter.

If you happen to be transferring to a school that has had recent expansion (added another sorority) that group may be open to an older member. They would be looking for leadership, stability, common sense, some of those things you undoubtedly learned in the military. Just something to think about as you prepare for conversation.

OMG. STOP. Every school is not the same. And, way to trash the smaller chapters and make the OP feel like any chapter that picks her must be awful and desperate.

Without knowing the OP's school, there's no way of knowing whether this is an okay idea or a terribly bad one.

I am now attending Georgia State University. I have been doing research and I feel like it will be a challenge and I am ready to accept that. If I don't get a bid maybe I will make connections and possibly some long term friendships with those I went through recruitment with. I guess it will not hurt to get some recommendations but I am not sure who to get recommendations from, any ideas?

OMG. STOP. She took a very benign comment as encouragement. She may be attending a school where all of the chapters are very balanced. But based on responses above I thought it was time to be blunt. I think a lot of girls read "open mind" and interpret it as "you're going to get exactly what you want and nothing will go wrong."
But I will recant. Go ahead and rush as a 22+ year old senior student and assume everything's gonna come up roses. That house with the Miss America in it is gonna be fighting for you tooth and nail. And by keep an open mind we mean be totally stoked when you receive a full party schedule filled only with your preferred chapters.

OMG. STOP.

/everybody sing along

Hi! There is a wonderful thread here on GC about how to find recommendations.

Good luck!

Considering the school you're at, I think it's unlikely. Possible I suppose, but unlikely as it's a traditional system. Not competitive per se, but the girls rushing are pretty much going to all be 18 and 19 years old. Further, based on your other thread, if you are indeed married, well, that can be another obstacle. I'm not familiar with everyone's policies, but typically when sisters get married, they are put on alumna status. I'm not sure if pledging is even possible.