Rushing and GPA
 

I have had about a 1 year break from school. Before I was really shitty at grades, but now I'm better. I had like a 1.8 but in one semester raised it to a 2.1. I know that sucks, but as a fraternity, would you look at the last semester or the overall?

Bear

Most fraternities usually have minimum GPA's that either nationals sets for them or they set themselves as a chapter. Also, many schools have a minimum GPA that you have to have before you can rush/pledge. You should find out from your school's student activities office or Greek Life office what the minimums are. At my school, a 2.0 or under puts you on academic probation, so anyone who has less than that isn't allowed to rush. A 2.1 might be pushing it a bit. I think you should really take out at least one more semester to focus on your schoolwork and get your grades up and develop good study habits before you decide to rush/pledge.

one more semester would only raise it to like a 2.35. And my last smeester's GPA was like a 2.9, more than enough to be in a fraternity.

Bear

Most fraternities look at cumulative GPAs. I know the chapters around my campus that are IFC required like a 2.5 just to rush.

What year in school are you? Can you wait longer to try to bring it up more?

The honest answer is that a 2.1 cum. is too low. I know that almost all orgs nationally dictate someone can't join if they have a 2.0 or less- they'd automatically be on academic probation, and wouldn't be able to really be much of a contributing member. Most chapters have a higher GPA req. that their HQ dictates. It also depends on the school.

One good semester after a couple cruddy ones doesn't prove that much. I don't think that would be enough to show improvement. Also, depending on your school's policies, if you get under a 2.0 again you might be out for good from the school.

You also need to consider that a fraternity is going to take up a LOT of time, and if you can't maintain your grades without being in a fraternity, how in the world will you be able to do it after joining a fraternity? School should be your priority. You're going to have to get a job or go to grad school within the next few years. Your grades are going to be important.

You're in school to make your grades. If you can't do that, I don't think joining a house would be in your best interest -- unless you think a structured academic system that some of them offer would be beneficial.

Get your grades up and look to rush another time. In the meantime, get involved on campus with another activity, like intramural sports, campus ministries, special interest clubs, etc. Work on bringing up those grades. By getting involved on campus, you can still have fun and make friends (including Greek friends who will be involved on campus outside of Greek Life.)

Greek Life takes a good balance of time management skills. You need to prioritize-- academics need to make a substantial improvement this year. No good to pledge a GLO and get kicked out-- because you flunked out of school.

Good luck.

I agree with everyone 100%...but if you still want to try and rush go ahead....but be prepared for possible disappointment. You may not get into a house of your choice or a house at all. IMHO work on bringing your grades up!

Higher is better. I've got a bro who went from a 1.8 to the Dean's List with a 3.6 or so. It can be done.

I says here that a lot of the groups have like a fall average of 2.6 or some of them are even 2.4!

I had a 2.9 last semester and that is after taking a year off from school. I'd really like to rush in the fall cause the pledge class is bigger, and I think some of the GLOs don't even bother rushing in the spring here...

Bear

Bear,

Only you can make this decision. If you want to rush this semester, than go for it. I only advise against it because you've been away for a year and you need to raise your GPA significantly. Greek Life has a lot of temptations to pull you away from your schoolbooks-- lots of nonmandatories in addition to mandatory pledge meetings and events. Your GPA could suffer even more if you don't have the time management skills to balance it, and you could wind up in a very bad situation. Also, you risk being cut during rush because of your lower GPA. Greeks want to bring in people with high GPAs who have proven they can balance school and social life (whether it is incoming freshmen, transfers, upperclassmen, etc.)

So it is up to you, but remember-- you came back to school to get an education. Don't party your way out before you give your grades a chance.

I'm a sophomore in my school, and I'm not sure if I should rush again. I had a 2.3 my first semester, which I raised to a 3.49 the second. My cum. avg. is a 2.91. I'm really really worried about whether or not this would be a problem. I'm involved in campus and am working to improve my GPA. Can I mention this to the sisters or would that hurt me? I'm rushing informally in the fall, and fall rush here is all upperclassmen and girls who rush again, so that's not really a problem--just the grades.

Coming into recruitment, you will have to submit your grades, which is then checked for accuracy. So the sorority will know your GPA. I would tell them at the recruitment parties-- that in your first year, you learned the importance of time management and how to balance school and life because first semester you had a 2.3 and you had a 3.49 the next semester, bringing your cum. avg. to a 2.91. Ask them questions about their academic program and share with them your goal to get a 3.5 semester GPA this term, to bring your cum. avg. past the 3.0 mark. Tell them you're excited to join a sorority because you're looking forward to the friendships and service aspect, and that you're glad you waited because you learned how to balance your time --- so juggling classwork and sorority obligations, as well as coming out to fun socials that you can't wait to experience-- will be prioritized and your grades will come out on top!

Be honest, be genuine and be positive.