Can International Students ever rush?
 

Even if they are only going to be at the school for a semester or a year?? Could they be like an honorary member?

Yes, we have had exchange students in the past (the most recent one went through Formal Recruitment and received a bid). The only negative is that you know that's a spot that is going to need to be refilled the next year. But I have found that our exchange students have really added to the sorority and they have enjoyed themselves as well.

Do you mean study abroad? That would be really interesting!

Tau chapter had a study abroad student from Britain join this year.

I'd say it would depend on the campus. If you're at a campus where rush is traditionally cutthroat and spots are limited, I'd say good luck. I know that most houses look for members who will be able to be positive and contributing members for as long as possible -- and generally that's why it's often difficult for upperclassmen to receive bids.

If it's on a different campus where rush isn't as hardcore, then it's another story.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK, no NPC sorority extends "honorary" membership. You're either a collegian or alumna, but I do know that some sororities extend "inactive" (or whatever you want to call it) status for members who go on temporary leave but have full intention of returning to the chapter.

Yes, we have had several in the past. One fraternity here has several Japanese brothers who are on long-term exchange.

I was looking at the DG website for their Columbia chapter, and it says where each of their sisters lives. They have a girl from Puerto Rico, a girl from Singapore, and another sister from somewhere else, I forget where. Depending on what your school atmosphere is like, it may or may not be an issue for an international student to rush. If this wasn't someone part of an exchange program but a person who was going to be there for 4 years, then I personally don't see why it should be a problem.

We had international students and study abroad students as members. Keep in mind an international student is four year student who happens to be from an foreign country. A study abroad student is only there for a limited time, usually a year or a semester (though it is hard to do w/only being on campus for a semester.) The hard part can be cultural differences when the woman does not understand the american tradition of required events, points, dues etc.

Re: Can International Students ever rush?
 

If the student is enrolled as a full time student in good academic and financial standing with your university, she is eligible to go through recruitment. Whether or not she is extended a bid is up to the mutual membership selection process.

Personally: While I understand the value of international perspectives in an organization, I wouldn't want to extend a sorority membership bid to a foreign national on study abroad-- she is someone who clearly would only be at my university for one semester or one year. I'd prefer a member to be there for a few years-- for the sake of chapter continuity, leadership potential and dues. That empty spot one semester or one year later is one more person I have to recruit.

One could argue that freshmen rush all the time, join and drop out after one semester. I'm not denying that-- but ostensibly freshmen-juniors will be there longer than an exchange student who is at the university for a pre-planned period of time.

It's up to the chapters.

However, if someone is an international student coming to a 4-year university for their entire education, of course that person is welcome to go through recruitment and will more likely stand a better chance of being bidded than a foreign national in an exchange program for one year or one semester.

ETA: ADPi does not have honorary members. I don't know of any NPC that has honorary members.

My best friend goes to Columbia, so I'll find out.

One of our chapter's founding members is/was a Japanese student from Tokyo.

We still send him info, he still supports rush. Was a very cool guy. President of the international student senate, head of the JSA, etc. etc.

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This reminds me, last summer there were several British women who posted on here that they were going to school in the US and planned to rush. I wonder whatever happened to them.

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I wondered that too...they were rushing at Southern Cal

In my local, at one time we were about 80% Japanese from International students :)

Note my screenname :D


We now have some Welsh girls wanting to pledge....fun times :)

Haha I have always wondered what it ment.