panhellenic age limits
 

edited.

the only age-limit thing i've ever seen is (i think) that to be a member of chi omega you have to be at least 14. i'm pretty sure there aren't age limits, beings how my friend's school allowed a 39 year old woman to register for recruitment.

39? wow...i wonder how that will turn out...

As long as a woman is on her FIRST undergrad degree, I don't think Pan-Hel can impose any age limit, other then the one mentioned for Chi-O, that they have to be at least 14 - and even then I think they would still have to let the 13-year-old super-genius rush, but her options would be limited (as would a 39 year old woman).

I dunno John - how DOES that 13-year-old super-genius at undergrad rush work??;) ;)

While a chapter could have limits (or just feel uncomfortable about pledging someone a lot older). I don't think Panhel can.

So I agree with all of the above. :) Someone who's 25 and is more of a traditional student (stretching the definition a bit) would have a better shot than a 39 year old non-traditional student. But that's all campus culture and such.

I agree that it's a matter of campus culture. If a school has a high percentage of non-traditional students, I'm sure that age doesn't matter as much as it would in a very conservative, traditional college. With that said, I don't see a 37-year old with a child getting a bid at most colleges.

There is NO age limit on going through rush, and I'm guessing not to join any sororities either (unless it's a minimum, not a maximum). If there was, the NPC sororities and national Panhellenic would be in a world of trouble and age discrimination lawsuits.

We have a 25 year old new member this fall and she is an amazing addition to our chapter!!! Also, a few years back another chapter on campus pledged a 40+ year old woman, mainly because she was a legacy of sorts. Her daughter was a member of the chaper a few years prior. She obviously wasn't very active in the chapter, but it is possible to get a bid...

The 40+ year old woman went through rush and initiated as a collegian? Interesting. Personally, I wouldn't extend a bid to someone I knew wouldn't be active with the chapter. I'd save that space for someone who actually wants to be there.

While your campus culture allows for non-traditional aged women to go through rush and possibly get a bid, the same thing can't be said everywhere else.

That's what I was getting ready to say. I know the age issue has been discussed on here before, and there's not just one answer. On my campus, for example, there was a 26-year-old who went through recruitment one year and everyone in my chapter was talking about it. We just couldn't believe someone that old would go through! That's because where I went to school, most ladies rushed and pledged as freshmen or sophomores and it was practically unheard of for older students to join. Now, at other schools, it's obviously different.

I am now giggling at "that old". I understand the context and thus the surprise, but I would love to be "that old" again!

Enjoy your youth!! :)

Yes. While 26 or 27 isn't that old at some schools, I will say that this woman most likely will not get a bid to any sorority at UCF. It's harsh but it's reality. Rush is competitive and the chapters can afford to be picky as to who they bid since there's almost 1,000 smart, beautiful, young girls going through.

I remember in 2001 the chapter at ASU actually took a member who was 21 or 22. She was a freshman, just started college and decided to rush. She stayed involved until she got married a few years later (and then decided to go alum, although I'm pretty sure (but don't quote me) ADPi does allow a sister to be married and stay active, but I'm not 100% sure on that :D). I've seen her at some alum events, so she is still somewhat active.

Well, keep in mind this was coming from a bunch of 18-22 year olds. :p A bunch of 18-22 year olds who had mostly pledged before age 20, I might add. 26 sure doesn't seem old now, but it did then! Heh heh.

Hey, if a 26 yo wants to embrace sisterhood, and finds a mutual fit in her ideals, interests, etc., I think it's great. But I totally understand how it might feel weird on both sides. I think the idea of such an age difference will often reflect in a person's lifestyle, habits, goals, etc. Perhaps an older rushee/pledge might not have had the opportunity to go to college at a typical age. But I imagine that this very same person might feel uncomfortable taking direction (note I didn't say orders) from girls 8 years younger.

That being said, it might be cool to have someone as a "big sister (like real life), more experienced" type of sister in your organization, bc she can draw upon life experiences and share them with the rest of the house/chapter.

But again, there should be a mutual fit; and while it might not necessarily be an age issue, it might an issue in terms of generational differences and the fact that the "typical" collegiates "grow up" together in college. Much of sisterhood is the sharing of new experiences, personal growth, and learning more about who you are an who you want to become. In that case, I can see where it would not be a good mutual fit.

Forgive my rambling.