What should I do?

[weasuhl]

*I apologize if this is the wrong section, new here

Hello everyone!

Here to ask for advice on my current situation.

I go to a very small school and I'm fairly happy here, however, recently I've been very curious as to how different my life would be if I attended a larger school, such as a D2 or D1. (15,000+ is what i'm looking for, my school has about 4,000 on campus 1200 off campus). I've visited friends at these larger schools and I can't help but to feel they're getting more out of their college experience. We recently had a fraternity kicked off campus (lost recognition from the university) and that allowed someone from nationals (i'll leave out the name of this fraternity) to come to the university looking to found a chapter. He got a group of intent of 12 during this semester and a pledge class of 3. Because it was there first semester here they decided to try to have two pledge classes which would have resulted in another 3 but unfortunately two students were not qualified and are believed to definitely be rushing next semester (we've basically told them they're in, just get the qualifications and come back to us). Anyway, I was the one qualified pledge. I'm going through new member education very quickly because they're trying to get me to take the national test before May. I realize bonds are for life. The first thing I did was research what universities had chapters of the orginization (i'm not joining just for letters, I really like the open motto and history of the fraternity). There are only about 40 active chapters, those present at larger schools are all at very good universities such as carnegie mellon, cal berk, etc. I'm not sure if I can quite get into one of those schools (2000 on my SAT if they bother to look, 3.55 college gpa, several extracurriculars, employed by the university, etc). But i'm sure I could get into a slightly less "exclusive" larger school but if I was enticed by the greek life there I wouldn't be able to pledge for anyone.

EDIT: PLEASE LOOK AT POST #8

Here's where my situation may differentiate a little bit. As of right now, I'm told that my chapter has "group of intent" status and they are "Recognized by the university but not by nationals". No one has been officially initiated into the fraternity yet because since we do not have full chapter status we need someone from nationals to come conduct the ceremony for us. However, every brother has passed the national exam and registered for the website, submitting their social security number. I don't forsee the chapter getting full status until at least the end of next semester, probably the next. Which is precisely when I would be hearing back from transfer prospects should I try to transfer.

As scumbaggy as i feel asking this, if no one has been initiated, if the group of intent or provisional chapter isn't recognized by nationals, would I still be able to transfer and pledge elsewhere?

Basically, I feel as if joining would make my time at this University much better. But I can't help but feel I don't belong at this university in general. If I am stuck here, I would definitely like to pledge. In my eyes, this fraternity is going to be the best on campus (for me, at least). I'm just not sure what to do. I'm thinking that life is short, time is ticking, I don't want to spend several years doing x thing when I could have had a much better time doing y thing.

Also if this matters in terms of recognition and being able to pledge another fraternity elsewhere, there's a secret handshake and password, our group of intent hasn't been told that yet. I just feel like the lack of initiation and all that would, if I for some reason do decide to pledge elsewhere, possibly allow me to do so.

I know i'm going to get hammered by "joining just for letters" "why would you want to pledge elsewhere" etc etc, to be completely honest with you I understand what you're saying but in my situation there's 14 people, two of which are graduating, part of a group of intent (they themselves passed the national test less than 6 months ago), in a very isolated small town I'm beginning to regret being in. I'm just not sure, wanted to post openly for advice. Any advice at all is appreciated. Thank you!