Should I try to participate in colonization?
 

I went through formal NPC rush last semester and didn't match...but I recently heard that my school's Panhel voted to expand, and a new colony will be formed this fall. Will I be too old to try to be part of it, if my school's chapters generally don't recruit upperclassmen?

Colonies strive to have an even balance of members. Juniors and Seniors who are proven leaders will have a very good chance of being invited to join.

Colonies will take a "cross section" of what a typical chapter would be composed of to give it balance. If they filled the colony with nothing but freshmen, think about it, the chapter would stay a similar size for a few years, they'd have few new members subsequent semesters (openings only for early graduating, transferring, leaving school, and withdrawing), and then when that class graduates, CRASH!

You have nothing to lose by attending the meetings for the colonization and getting more information about the sorority nationally and the goals for the chapter at your campus.

I was actually a founding sister of my chapter, and I was a first semester Senior. It was an amazing experience, and I would urge you to attend the meetings, if you are interested!
Many NPC sororities look for a mix of girls to start a colony. I would say mine was about 30% -40% juniors and seniors. If you have any further questions about the colony process, please don't hesitate to send me a private message.

Yes you should check out the colony. A colony wants a mix of girls so your status may not be as big of a deal to them. Best of luck to you!

yes-check the colony out.

Absolutely check it out. Colonies seek out a cross section of women on campus. They WANT women who are juniors and even seniors to provide leadership, diversity, balance and to prevent all of the women from graduating the same year. Having upperclass women also insures some alums from that chapter in the near future who will provide support.

Someone I know from my alumnae chapter was a founding member of her chapter and said it was an incredible experience. She was not a freshman .....

Good luck!

^^^ What they all said. Check it out and keep an open mind. When my chapter recolonized, they took a good number of Juniors and a few Seniors

Thanks for the age reassurance! Do you think going through rush and not matching would look bad? I'm not entirely sure how colonization works...would it be local alumnae or active sisters from another chapter choosing the new members?

Each chapter is different. You will be invited to more than one party and you will have both alum and collegians from another chapter present. Always put on your best face regardless of who you are speaking with, just like they were all actives. Chances are high that they don't know anything of what on during recruitment with you other than that you participated and didn't receive a bid. They don't know if you dropped out or cut by all during the first round.

Do a little research on the chapter ahead of time so that you are knowledgable enough to ask questions about their philanthropy and presence in local areas. This will help you to jump in whenever there is dead silence in a conversation.

This was very true in my colonization experience and it is great advice!!!!

Do it. At my college they started a colony last year and it was a big success. They took in over 100 new members including 2 seniors. Don't mention your prior rush. They probably will not even ask. Just go in there and knock them dead.

Yeah, I'll agree with everyone else. Check it out! We had 2 seniors and 2 juniors when we were colonized, and I wish we had more now! I guess it's evening out now, but I totally agree with what was said about the balance between classes.

colonization
 

I was in the first pledge class after a colonization, and colonies can be a great experience. You have the opportunity to meet a really diverse group of women, and to set traditions for your chapter. I really think you should take advantage of this opportunity.