What do you guys think ?

[beezy3180]

Hello I am looking to join a fraternity and I feel that I would bring plenty to offer not only to this particular fraternity but to the world around me as a whole. I have taken my time to research the frat, the requirements, and much more. The ONLY thing I find myself to have trouble with is by far the most important, my GPA. Its not that I dont try hard enough but more that im just having trouble adjusting to college. Im only entering my sophomore year and my GPA is a 2.25 and the required GPA is a 2.5. Should I be worried or just be patient and get used to college?

[DGTess]

What's there to worry about?

If the minimum is 2.5, and you don't meet it, no worries. You don't qualify.

[jazing]

Take the time to get used to college. If you have a 2.25 GPA and the requirement is a 2.5 (btw this is a LOW requirement, we just bumped our IFC requirement up to 2.75) you won't be allowed to rush (unless the group wants to break the rules which is possible).

[AZTheta]

How long does it take to "get used to college?"

OP, please find the resources at your school that are there to help you succeed (free study skills classes, writing classes, math tutoring, time management, whatever). It's amazing what's available now.

A fraternity should be the last of your interests right now.

[adpiucf]

I don't think Greek Life is a good idea if you can't maintain the minimum GPA without fraternity obligations distracting you. I'm sorry if this is news you don't want to hear, but I really would suggest you work on your grades and time management skills.

[FSUZeta]

I agree. Work on your grades this next year(seek help from your professors-the majority really do want their students to succeed and are willing to help, your campus academic achievement office, math tutoring services, writing workshops, etc.) and then (a caveat), if you have improved your GPA significantly, you might rush as a junior.

[MaryPoppins]

These three ladies quoted below, and Jazing above, are four of the wisest people I know. You should listen to them because this advice is not only true but will save you time and wasted money for classes where you don't perform and a Greek Life that decides it doesn't want you because you haven't nailed down the scholar part just yet.

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I don't think Greek Life is a good idea if you can't maintain the minimum GPA without fraternity obligations distracting you. I'm sorry if this is news you don't want to hear, but I really would suggest you work on your grades and time management skills.

Originally Posted by AzTheta

OP, please find the resources at your school that are there to help you succeed (free study skills classes, writing classes, math tutoring, time management, whatever). It's amazing what's available now.

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

I agree. Work on your grades this next year(seek help from your professors-the majority really do want their students to succeed and are willing to help, your campus academic achievement office, math tutoring services, writing workshops, etc.) and then (a caveat), if you have improved your GPA significantly, you might rush as a junior.

For men your age, how old you are is not quite as important as it is for women in recruitment. A fraternity that will make you a better man than you already are will want to see the steps you will take for yourself so they know that they can rely on you as a brother.

[Gamma Xi Phi]

Originally Posted by beezy3180

Hello I am looking to join a fraternity and I feel that I would bring plenty to offer not only to this particular fraternity but to the world around me as a whole. I have taken my time to research the frat, the requirements, and much more. The ONLY thing I find myself to have trouble with is by far the most important, my GPA. Its not that I dont try hard enough but more that im just having trouble adjusting to college. Im only entering my sophomore year and my GPA is a 2.25 and the required GPA is a 2.5. Should I be worried or just be patient and get used to college?

Are you interested in an NPHC fraternity?

[beezy3180]

Originally Posted by Gamma Xi Phi

Are you interested in an NPHC fraternity?

Yes its NPHC.

[beezy3180]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I don't think Greek Life is a good idea if you can't maintain the minimum GPA without fraternity obligations distracting you. I'm sorry if this is news you don't want to hear, but I really would suggest you work on your grades and time management skills.

I understand what you mean and all but just think about it how many first time freshmen do yoyou know that just came right into college with the best grades ? Not bashing or anything but I'll leave it to myself to decide if its a good idea or not I mean I do have 3 more years possibly more.

[beezy3180]

Thanks every one for the advice. Its not like im just failing every class they throw at me I just have reaaaallll trouble with math. I believe once I can get over that hump I believe I'll be doing a lot better.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by beezy3180

I understand what you mean and all but just think about it how many first time freshmen do yoyou know that just came right into college with the best grades ? Not bashing or anything but I'll leave it to myself to decide if its a good idea or not I mean I do have 3 more years possibly more.

If you are going to "leave it to yourself to decide if its a good idea or not" then why did you come here and ASK OUR OPINION?

And for the record, not explaining that you are looking at NPHC makes a big difference in the people who offer opinions and advice that you receive.

[beezy3180]

Originally Posted by thetalady

If you are going to "leave it to yourself to decide if its a good idea or not" then why did you come here and ASK OUR OPINION?

And for the record, not explaining that you are looking at NPHC makes a big difference in the people who offer opinions and advice that you receive.

I asked should I be worried about my GPA not being where it should be. My mind is already made up on joining. And yeah I should have specified thst it was NPHC but that info also could have been obtained from a simple question like the person above asked.

[Gamma Xi Phi]

Originally Posted by beezy3180

Yes its NPHC.

Depending on the organization, the chapter, and the people in the chapter, it *could* be a good idea to tell a friend in the chapter that you are interested in the organization but are having problems with your grades.

They might do nothing but wish you good luck.

But *some* NPHC chapters have public study hours, tutoring sessions, and other service activities which help everybody acclimate to college. The Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, for example, does this sort of programming all the time.

In other words, academic success is often a community affair in NPHC organizations.

As always, the best thing for you to do is to befriend members of the chapter you are interested in so that people who know you can provide the most accurate advice.

And as other posters have said, do everything you can do do raise your grades, also. If your campus has a writing center, make a habit of going. If they have free tutoring, use it.

And my own advice: don't take hard classes if you can help it. It only took one flunked midterm for me to change my major from History to English. It's not that I was afraid of hard work - it's that graduating on time was important to me.

Good luck!

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by Gamma Xi Phi

And my own advice: don't take hard classes if you can help it. It only took one flunked midterm for me to change my major from History to English. It's not that I was afraid of hard work - it's that graduating on time was important to me.

Good luck!

Seriously??? Go to college, but only take easy classes so you can be sure to get good grades & graduate on time. Not going to worry about getting an actual education?