23 yr old freshman.... too old to rush?

[mon.chouED]

So, I have read a bunch of threads about being "too old to rush" on this site, but most of them are from 4th and 5th year seniors who want to rush in their last year of school. I am transferring from a school that had no greek life and I'm changing my major, so I'm basically starting over. (I know, it sucks. I should have just gone with this major in the beginning but I didn't listen to my gut instinct. Lesson learned.) I get good grades and am very interested in greek life and would love to join a sorority. I understand that every sorority/school is different when it comes to what they look for, but would I even be considered or just looked at as a joke? I've been told that sorority recruitment is harsh and judgmental. True or myth?

[victoriana]

It very much depends on the school. If you're at a less competitive college where there is a decent sized population of non-traditional aged students you might have a chance. Do some searches on here about your school and see what comes up for recruitment in general.

[jhawk2817]

Well from a fraternity point of view, we had a 27 year old first time freshman rush in 2009, who was initiated and rose through the ranks as VP. We even had a genius 16 year old college kid rush who was still hangs around after he became an Alumn (at just 19). So age shouldn't be a factor; given its within a legal range for the activities undertaken by the greek society, and other things like enrollment etc.

But the whole judgment thing. I mean selective houses will go hard on thier prospects. My sister was XO in 2003 and she said they wanted headshots for anyone who wanted to rush. Wierd? Not really. They might want thier members to be tip-top as great representatives of the organization. Its just a matter of perception, whats shallow to one person is rigorous recruitment to another. But sure, major greek houses will be selective, but if you're cool, they will like you and most probably pin you.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by jhawk2817

My sister was XO in 2003 and she said they wanted headshots for anyone who wanted to rush. Wierd? Not really. They might want thier members to be tip-top as great representatives of the organization. Its just a matter of perception, whats shallow to one person is rigorous recruitment to another. But sure, major greek houses will be selective, but if you're cool, they will like you and most probably pin you.

Um, you do realize the headshots are to remember who is who? Unless the chapter was planning to issue bids women they've never met in person, they certainly wouldn't need headshots to evaluate someone's appearance.

[jhawk2817]

oh lol, ya. I guess so. But professional head shots?? I mean just a profile pic wouldn't do? Idk she made it sound like it was a bad thing they did that. Damn she is a ho, lol.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by jhawk2817

oh lol, ya. I guess so. But professional head shots?? I mean just a profile pic wouldn't do? Idk she made it sound like it was a bad thing they did that. Damn she is a ho, lol.

[DrPhil]

Perhaps he's just animated.

[DZTurtle11]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Perhaps he's just animated.

Or he's just talking about something he knows nothing about

OP, please listen to victoriana. She is spot on. As it's been stated many times there are schools where you might as well just give it up, but others might be more open. Sororities and Fraternities have much different attitudes about these things, but then again, maybe you'll rock it. Just ask yourself, will you feel comfortable hanging out with a bunch of 18-20 year olds?

And yes, the headshots are to help the girls remember who is who. If you attend a school like Ole Miss/Alabama/etc there will be well over 1000 girls going through. Could you imagine trying to just remember faces you met in 30 minutes?

[jhawk2817]

Originally Posted by DZTurtle11

Or he's just talking about something he knows nothing about

OP, please listen to victoriana. She is spot on. As it's been stated many times there are schools where you might as well just give it up, but others might be more open. Sororities and Fraternities have much different attitudes about these things, but then again, maybe you'll rock it. Just ask yourself, will you feel comfortable hanging out with a bunch of 18-20 year olds?

And yes, the headshots are to help the girls remember who is who. If you attend a school like Ole Miss/Alabama/etc there will be well over 1000 girls going through. Could you imagine trying to just remember faces you met in 30 minutes?

Why are most of the people here so condescending about other posters info? Is it because they are 30 something year olds trying to prolong the glorified college days of the past by being members of an online Greek community; and try to exemplify qualities which the 'GDIs' found to be synonymous with the entire Greek system i.e, bad etiquette, themselves not know what they are talking about and hence feel like saying it to other people to mirror emotions felt when it was a case for them.

Or is it because these forums act like an anonymous outlet where members can look down on people which would not have been possible if this were a face to face/group conversation?

In any case, I can feel am image post coming in response to mine which has the picture of a whining baby or something stupid like that.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by jhawk2817

Why are most of the people here so condescending about other posters info? Is it because they are 30 something year olds trying to prolong the glorified college days of the past by being members of an online Greek community; and try to exemplify qualities which the 'GDIs' found to be synonymous with the entire Greek system i.e, bad etiquette, themselves not know what they are talking about and hence feel like saying it to other people to mirror emotions felt when it was a case for them.

Or is it because these forums act like an anonymous outlet where members can look down on people which would not have been possible if this were a face to face/group conversation?

In any case, I can feel am image post coming in response to mine which has the picture of a whining baby or something stupid like that.

Nothing says loser like the loser who created this thread:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=120028

[Tulip86]

It's because your response doesn't really apply to the situation the OP is in. Fraternities and sororities are quite different operations wise, especially when it comes to recruitment. Therefore, the advice you gave the OP could give her false expectations. You don't know what her school is like, for all we know, it could be very competitive and in that case her age could put her at a disadvantage.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Tulip86

It's because your response doesn't really apply to the situation the OP is in. Fraternities and sororities are quite different operations wise, especially when it comes to recruitment. Therefore, the advice you gave the OP could give her false expectations. You don't know what her school is like, for all we know, it could be very competitive and in that case her age could put her at a disadvantage.

This.

We look down on people who repeatedly give advice on things they know nothing about. The OP doesn't care about "the Fraternity side of things" - she's rushing the Sororities, not the Fraternities. Bad advice is worse than no advice.

[DubaiSis]

I think he was just being funny about his sister. Head shots may seem a little over the top if 50 girls are going through recruitment, but have 800+ go through and I think you can appreciate the importance of SOME way to trigger your memory about that 15th girl out of 25 you personally spoke to today, 6 hours ago, for 5 minutes.

For PNMs, a straight on, well lit picture that looks like you is what you want. You may have an awesome Lady Gaga picture of yourself from your last modeling gig, or a fantastic black and white back-lit photo with your head down looking all sexy, but that's worthless to the sorority.

Regarding the OP, my primary concern is your actual grade standing. You might be starting over, but you're still going to have a certain status based on the number of credit hours you have on your transcript. This is something you will want to address in conversation, on your application and on any recommendations you get. Your age is a separate issue, and as stated above, it really depends on the campus. Before getting on GC I'd have never believed a 23 year old could ever pledge an NPC sorority, but I've read at least 1 story of a woman who successfully did it. It was a non-traditional commuter campus and she wasn't the only "older woman" in her new member class. Good luck!

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by jhawk2817

Why are most of the people here so condescending about other posters info? Is it because they are 30 something year olds trying to prolong the glorified college days of the past by being members of an online Greek community; and try to exemplify qualities which the 'GDIs' found to be synonymous with the entire Greek system i.e, bad etiquette, themselves not know what they are talking about and hence feel like saying it to other people to mirror emotions felt when it was a case for them.

Or is it because these forums act like an anonymous outlet where members can look down on people which would not have been possible if this were a face to face/group conversation?

In any case, I can feel am image post coming in response to mine which has the picture of a whining baby or something stupid like that.

You're exactly right, neo. Way to tell the national and regional volunteers/staff how Greek life REALLY is. What would we do without your insight?

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think he was just being funny about his sister.

I've never called my sister a "lol ho"

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I've never called my sister a "lol ho"

Really? You don't?

It's a time-honored family tradition here.