Is it worth it to pledge senior year?
 

I am graduating next at the end of next year. Is it worth it to start in a fraternity next fall?

very very tough being that old going through with 18 year olds.

but yes, after you graduate, coming back "home" is definitely worth it.

No. You're what, 22? Start looking for a job and for bars where young professionals hang out.

At our Alpha Phi Omega chapter, we had a problem involving people pledging in their final semester of school. Many feared they did it strictly for the resume.

If you're at a school where the ages of pledges are mixed (i.e. not everyone is a freshman) and you think you'll stay near the area after graduation...go for it!!

Scandia - he's talking about pledging Fall 07 and then being involved Fall 07 and Spring 08. I don't know why anyone would pledge anything their LAST semester of school, or why any group would take them, unless it's an honorary.

You're going to have a very difficult time getting a bid at most schools. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are absolutely sure you want to do it, and unless you are prepared for the disappointment of not getting a bid.

No.

I'm going to go with no. Pledgeship should be time consuming and you don't need anything else on your plate if you are trying to graduate. Most people will wonder why you didn't pledge before so it will be hard to get a bid. You would only be active for 1 semester, so you probably wouldn't get as much out of it as you put in. My chapter, no offense, wouldn't take you.

You're going to have a hard time finding folks who'll take you.

Your active experience will be pretty limited. To each his own though. You might be able to make your contribution as an alumnus. We had some seniors in our original colony group. We invited them back to initiate when we got our charter (some of them). Some have made some pretty substantial contributions as alums.

You have nothing to lose by checking out fraternity rush. But pledgeship in a fraternity can be time-consuming, which may be a consideration if you are in your final year and looking toward internships, getting that first job or taking MCATs/GREs/LSATs and getting into a grad program. I'd recommend checking out rush for the experience and to see if there is a chapter you feel is a good mutual match for their needs and your interests. Depending on the campus, some fraternities may be less inclined to take seniors, while others are more open.

I've seen it happen in NPHC orgs.

Look at it this way; those that join Alpha Phi Omega (or any other greek organization for that matter) strictly for the resume clearly indicates that they don't have enough professional "game" to land a job on their own merits, so they have to use their letters as a crutch.

I hope you were able to call their bluff and weed out such candidates; you don't have to bring in prospective members whose desire to serve and/or devotion to the brotherhood is artifical and/or insincere. Let 'em find an organization that better meets their shallow needs, don't ever let 'em pimp your org like that, make 'em step their game up and come to you correctly.

Great point.

The idea for getting younger members is so that they can spend time and help the Chapter grow.

It is not improbable for it to happen, but a lot depends on the school and the Chapters.

You as a newbie would have a very short period of being a working member.

While you may add a lot of stability, it would be very short lived.

If you want to join a GLO so you have it on your resume, then forget it!

Depends on if you are seeking IFC or NPHC. Either way you try for AI.

If you are looking at a NPHC fraternity it is worth it if they accept you. Why? Because college will just be the first step to your lifetime involvment with your frat.

Otherwise you could wait and pledge an alumni chapter.