Does a 21 year old grad student have a chance?

wildcatPVer · #1 10-15-2008, 12:43 AM

I was wondering if sororities accept graduate students? I'm going to be a grad student in the fall and really want to join the greek life. I will have finished my undergraduate degree in 3 years so when I graduate I will only be 20, and then turn 21 this summer before grad school so I was wondering if that would help seeing as I would be around the same age as many of the other girls. I know having some random 30 year old grad student as a sister would probably be weird due to the age difference and being at different places in life, but because I am younger would that be in my favor?

KSUViolet06 · #2 10-15-2008, 01:07 AM

We've had this question asked before:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=88480

Not every sorority is permitted to take grad students. There are a few sororities whose bylaws allow them to accept grad students. However, just because they are allowed, does not mean they will bid every grad student who expresses interest in them.

Whether you "have a chance" really depends on your school, the culture of your campus, and whether the sororities on your campus are even allowed (per their national policies) to take grad students (as many are not). No one can really tell you for sure if you'll get a bid. The only thing you can do is go through recruitment and see what happens.

breathesgelatin · #3 10-15-2008, 02:13 AM

I second KSUViolet's comments, and I would like to add that it is the case that the vast majority of NPC sororities do not accept graduate students to membership.

disasterscookie · #4 10-15-2008, 11:41 AM

There is an Alumnae Initiate option of course, where you could be initiated as an alumnae but your involvement would be with the alumnae chapter more. If you go to Recruitment there is an entire 11 pages on AI that you could read and see if you think this option is for you. But be warned, I have been looking into it myself, reading the forum, going to HQ websites, and this process has taken some a matter of months, but it has taken others up to 5 years. It is not for the weak of heart. Make sure it is something you really want.

If you would like, since people don't really like posting them on threads, you can PM me and I could tell you the couple of chapters that do sometimes accept grad student members, that way you could see if they are on your campus and focus on them.

fantASTic · #5 10-15-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

There is an Alumnae Initiate option of course, where you could be initiated as an alumnae but your involvement would be with the alumnae chapter more. If you go to Recruitment there is an entire 11 pages on AI that you could read and see if you think this option is for you. But be warned, I have been looking into it myself, reading the forum, going to HQ websites, and this process has taken some a matter of months, but it has taken others up to 5 years. It is not for the weak of heart. Make sure it is something you really want.

If you would like, since people don't really like posting them on threads, you can PM me and I could tell you the couple of chapters that do sometimes accept grad student members, that way you could see if they are on your campus and focus on them.

No. DO NOT think that AI is something you do. AI is not considered a viable option for women who simply did not pledge while in college.

Disasterscookie: You would do well to take heed of this too, especially because you AREN'T a member and therefore should NOT be giving membership advice.

33girl · #6 10-15-2008, 11:48 AM

Here's an idea. Take 4 years to finish your undergrad instead of 3 and join a sorority as an undergrad. It sounds like you are finally waking up and realizing you missed a lot by cramming 4 years into three.

And no, disasterscookie is NOT an NPC member, and even if she was, it is not her place to share the names of the groups that do allow grad students if she's not a member of them. dc - feel free to disseminate all the info about O Phi A you want, but honestly, it needs to stop there.

KSUViolet06 · #7 10-15-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

There is an Alumnae Initiate option of course, where you could be initiated as an alumnae but your involvement would be with the alumnae chapter more. If you go to Recruitment there is an entire 11 pages on AI that you could read and see if you think this option is for you. But be warned, I have been looking into it myself, reading the forum, going to HQ websites, and this process has taken some a matter of months, but it has taken others up to 5 years. It is not for the weak of heart. Make sure it is something you really want.

If you would like, since people don't really like posting them on threads, you can PM me and I could tell you the couple of chapters that do sometimes accept grad student members, that way you could see if they are on your campus and focus on them.

The names of the sororities whose policies allow them to extend bids to grad students are actually in the thread I posted. It's no secret. However, I feel like it needs to be repeated that just because they are allowed, does not mean that they have to bid every grad student who shows interest.

I also feel as though it needs to be mentioned that AI is not the solution for not having pledged an NPC in college. Every woman who didn't pledge in college is not qualified to be an alumna initiate of an NPC sorority. Generally speaking, AI is the exception, and not the rule when it comes to joining an NPC.

Just because someone didn't join in college for whatever reason, doesn't mean they get to be an AI. There is alot more to it. I don't think this can be said enough.

NutBrnHair · #8 10-15-2008, 02:10 PM

I'd be interested to know which NPC groups allow graduate members -- I didn't know any did.

KSUViolet06 · #9 10-15-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

I'd be interested to know which NPC groups allow graduate members -- I didn't know any did.

The thread I posted has the names in it.

NutBrnHair · #10 10-15-2008, 02:14 PM

Thanks, KSUV -- I saw your post right after I asked the question!

aopirose · #11 10-15-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I also feel as though it needs to be mentioned that AI is not the solution for not having pledged an NPC in college. Every woman who didn't pledge in college is not qualified to be an alumna initiate of an NPC sorority. Generally speaking, AI is the exception, and not the rule when it comes to joining an NPC.

Just because someone didn't join in college for whatever reason, doesn't mean they get to be an AI. There is alot more to it. I don't think this can be said enough.

You're right.

disasterscookie · #12 10-15-2008, 02:40 PM

I know what is involved, I stated that I have been doing research. I never said that I knew everything about it, I was simply guiding her to information. I have read Navane's thread on AI and I know what is involved, but alas, as a student I didn't have the time to type it all out, hence why I directed her to the threads. I also stated that it was an option she could look into, not saying it was a sure thing, as recruitment, bids, etc. never really are. I figured if she read the thread, she would figure that out herself.

KSUViolet06 · #13 10-15-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

I know what is involved, I stated that I have been doing research. I never said that I knew everything about it, I was simply guiding her to information. I have read Navane's thread on AI and I know what is involved, but alas, as a student I didn't have the time to type it all out, hence why I directed her to the threads. I also stated that it was an option she could look into, not saying it was a sure thing, as recruitment, bids, etc. never really are. I figured if she read the thread, she would figure that out herself.

I wasn't trying to be mean. I figured that if AI were going to be mentioned in this thread, I needed to point some things out (hence why I posted what I did). It's just for informational purposes.

disasterscookie · #14 10-15-2008, 02:48 PM

I didn't take it as mean, I just didn't want to be misunderstood. I would never pretend to be something I'm not. I just happen to be researching this and saw the thread, suggested a few things... what have you.

epchick · #15 10-15-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterscookie

I know what is involved, I stated that I have been doing research. I never said that I knew everything about it, I was simply guiding her to information. I have read Navane's thread on AI and I know what is involved, but alas, as a student I didn't have the time to type it all out, hence why I directed her to the threads. I also stated that it was an option she could look into, not saying it was a sure thing, as recruitment, bids, etc. never really are. I figured if she read the thread, she would figure that out herself.

I'm guessing you don't understand, but AI SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION! AI is not an alternative for people who didn't pledge an NPC organization as an undergrad. That is why many NPCs are "editing" their websites and taking off the information for AI.

You are still an undergrad and shouldn't even be pursuing AI in the first place.