Grad Student Fraternities

mattiej · #1 08-26-2002, 10:20 AM

Hi all...

First off, I should admit that I've never been in the greek system, though have had many friends in it, and have always been a little interested.

I'm going back to grad school, and was wondering if there are any fraternities that are made up of exclusively (or primarily) graduate students.

I'd also be interested to hear from grad students who joined primarily undergrad fraternities...What was it like?

Hope to here from some of you

-Matt

CrucialCrimson · #2 08-26-2002, 03:48 PM

I'm not a man so I don't have any firsthand experience, but I've heard of orgs that have "intermediate" type chapters (possibly just on a trial basis) that are for grad students but you can't join at that level - it's just a way of keeping the brotherhood together for younger alumni members that might not have as much in common with much older alumni members.

Tom Earp · #3 08-26-2002, 04:44 PM

Matt, I am not sure if you are talking abour trying to affilieat with a NIC Fraternity but if you are, try the Alum Thread on GC!

It is easier in someways to join than the Soroitys!

What School and where?

If you show an interest and will be willing to work as say an Advisor you can be Initiated but it is not a hit and miss thing for LXA!

Our New Hi Pi ,Advisor is a member of the Faucitally who was inititated but also has a Son who is now his Brother!

He has become as enthralled with the Fraternity as I have been since I founded it! I am # 1, He is # 599 and we are about the same age!

You missed something by not being a Fraternity Man but you can grow still alot and give of yourself if you so desire!

mattiej · #4 08-29-2002, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the feedback. Not sure where I'll be going to grad school yet...It won't be for a couple of years, but will probably be a larger school.

Tom, since I'm not familiar with the Greek system, can you interperate some of the terms you used (NIC, LXA, Hi Pi)

Thanks

-Matt

FuzzieAlum · #5 08-29-2002, 11:05 AM

Matt, it depends what you are going to grad school in. There are fraternities exclusively for law and dental students, I believe. They are social in nature (some even have houses) although they are technically "professional." (All that really means is that someone who joined a regular fraternity as an undergrad can also join one of these.) Most of them, I think, are co-ed.

As far as I know there are no grad fraternities that are open to all graduate students.

Tom uses his own speak (we love him anyway), but it may take a little interpretation.

NIC - National Interfraternity Conference, the association of college fraternities. Lambda Chi Alpha or LXA is Tom's fraternity and an NIC member.

Grad student fraternities are not NIC members. However, some primarily undergraduate organizations do allow grad students to join as active members, and some allow you to join as an alumnus and hang out with graduated folks, from 22 to 102.

MysticCat · #6 08-29-2002, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
Matt, it depends what you are going to grad school in. There are fraternities exclusively for law and dental students, I believe. They are social in nature (some even have houses) although they are technically "professional." (All that really means is that someone who joined a regular fraternity as an undergrad can also join one of these.) Most of them, I think, are co-ed.

FWIW, in my experience at least, the law fraternities -- Phi Delta Phi and Phi Alpha Delta -- are much more geared to professional development than to social activity. I have observed a much more social bent in the dental and pharmacy fraternities.

And yes, all professional fraternities are required by federal law to be co-ed.

ChiOJenn78 · #7 08-29-2002, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
Matt, it depends what you are going to grad school in. There are fraternities exclusively for law and dental students, I believe. They are social in nature (some even have houses) although they are technically "professional." (All that really means is that someone who joined a regular fraternity as an undergrad can also join one of these.) Most of them, I think, are co-ed.

As far as I know there are no grad fraternities that are open to all graduate students.

Tom uses his own speak (we love him anyway), but it may take a little interpretation.

NIC - National Interfraternity Conference, the association of college fraternities. Lambda Chi Alpha or LXA is Tom's fraternity and an NIC member.

Grad student fraternities are not NIC members. However, some primarily undergraduate organizations do allow grad students to join as active members, and some allow you to join as an alumnus and hang out with graduated folks, from 22 to 102.

There are also about 3 fraternities here at my school for the medical students-they all have houses, and are extremely social.

starang21 · #8 08-29-2002, 12:32 PM

NPHC organizations have grad chapters that one can pledge.

mattiej · #9 08-29-2002, 12:52 PM

This is all good to hear...

I'll be going back to school for psychology. I don't suppose there are any fraternities for psych grad students...Would love to be in one with other medical students, since part of my research is going to be medically-based, but I imagine that their major requirement is enrollment in med school.

Such is life

-Matt