Quote:
Originally Posted by stelladoro
Twenty years out of college, I'm pretty happy with my life. I have a great husband and daughter, have been involved with various social groups and have built a decent business. My best friend of many years was in a certain sorority and today said that she'd like to have me be an AI. I feel very honored but I'm also a bit nervous about whether my explanation about why I didn't rush the first time is valid.
It's actually a combination of several things.
1. I had a very full course load and had the impression from movies, etc. that Greek life was all about partying - not something that would mesh with my serious outlook at the time.
2. I'd also been told by a friend in a fraternity that dues were expensive. Maybe it was only a few hundred a year, but as I was working my way through college, every dollar counted. (I'm still very frugal, but saving/spending, say, $300 isn't the burden it was back in 1990.)
3. A Greek-hating boyfriend (who was older and ostensibly knew about these things) told me that a sorority would require me to date guys only in a certain fraternity. (To be honest, "date" wasn't the word he used.) I eventually figured out that he was a jerk, but by then it was too late.
4. In my first year I bit off more than I could chew and ended up with a low GPA from sheer exhaustion, and so my grades weren't high enough for me to rush anyway. I eventually rebounded and did well, but that first year showed me how low I could go.
I made some great friends in college, some of whom were Greek and, surprise surprise, good students who went on to have fine lives (and even - gasp! - marry non-Greeks). I like the idea of being a part of a large organization with a long history and wide support system, and I like the idea of mentoring a young woman who might be confused about starting her adult life - although, I've got to admit, in no way could she be as rudderless as I was at that age.
I think I have a lot to offer as an AI, but am a bit concerned about being shot down before I even have the chance to pass the test.
Thoughts?
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Either do it or don't. We can't answer that question for you.
As for "mentoring a young woman," find out if that is something that the local alumnae chapter do. Some alumnae associations/chapters are not very hands-on with a particular collegiate chapter. Some don't even have a collegiate chapter nearby.
If this was indeed an invitation (and I am sure that IF it is, the friend will follow up with you), do you plan to participate in the alumnae association/chapter? Ask what kind of activities they do. Since you haven't been through pledging, if you proceed, it would help to learn as much as possible about the national organization.
Alumnae experience is 180 degrees from collegiate experience, but you do have similar goals - to grow, support and represent the organization. Talk to your friend - who knows you - and make your decision from there.
Your reasons for never rushing may or may not matter, but I would phrase them in general terms, such "I didn't fully understand the process" - though Rush would have been the time to learn about it.
We cannot tell you what you should do.