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I was a 3rd year pledge (and a founding father to boot).
I found it's helpful to have a mix. Sometimes the people who pledge in 3rd and 4th year are just looking for networking and social opportunities. But people who join in 2nd and 3rd years often have some advantages others don't have. By the time I was in the 2nd year, I'd been in 4 clubs, on the executive of one, I had a core group of friends and I was actually being recognized for things done after high school. So maybe if you've got some accomplishments they'll look at you favourably.
Why woulden't they? After all, you know enough to show up for class, you've probably got some non-Greek and Greek friends, you do know 3 Greeks in 1 fraternity, you may have some good connections with professors and senior students (it never hurts to attend faculty/student mixers to meet potential profs). In fact, the very fact that you made it through College 101 proves that you'll probably make it through the entire process. So you're a good catch, if they see you like that.
Also, many of my brothers spent 5-7 years on a double degree program (ie Mgt/Accounting, Mgt/Poly Sci.). So if you've got a long academic career planned or think you'll spend a semester working, you've got a great resume to show these guys.
Finally, if I still talked with every friend I had in high school, I'd have hundreds of conversations a day. College is about meeting people and networking with people who are going to help and who you can help later in life.
Thomas
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