new affiliation question

luckylittlelady · #1 11-20-2008, 02:42 PM

I searched previous posts on transferring schools and affiliating, but none of them really addressed what I was wondering about. I am applying next fall to transfer, and although I know if i get in I will eventually need to contact my chapter at my new college and whatnot, I still was wondering what this might be like in general. There have been a ton of posts about what it might be like coming from a college with a small greek life system to a college with an enormous greek life system. If I get in, I'll be going from a college with a very large, popular greek life system to a college with a smaller but I guess more "intimidating" greek life system (it's an Ivy). Maybe I am the only one who thinks it might be intimidating, but I'm wondering if anyone's done anything similar and what it might be like. Thanks!!

KSUViolet06 · #2 11-20-2008, 03:01 PM

Wait, you haven't even gone through recruitment yet and you're talking about joining THEN transfering? I would strongly advise you NOT to rush until you get to your NEW school. There is no point in rushing, getting a bid, and then transfering. There's also no guarantee that hat this chapter will take you on as an afiliate (depending on how the sorority handles transfers).

Anytime someone affiliates with a new chapter at a school with a different campus culture, there's bound to be a bit of a culture shock.I'd just be prepared for that. The 2 chapters could be vastly different and there's the chance that you just won't "fit" with the chapter at the new school. Also, every sorority handles transfer afiliates differently, and there's the chahnce that you won't even be accepted as an afiliate and then have to take alumna status or something.

luckylittlelady · #3 11-20-2008, 03:05 PM

No, I did recruitment last spring. I got initiated last year. I know it would be foolish to just join a chapter and then leave

I'm not asking about that.

When I said "when I get in," I meant the school I'm applying to transfer to, not my sorority. Sorry if that was confusing!

nittanyalum · #4 11-20-2008, 03:11 PM

So you stuck it out! Good for you! Why on earth you'd want to LEAVE Penn State main campus I cannot even begin to fathom...

(but good luck anyway)

luckylittlelady · #5 11-20-2008, 03:14 PM

Yeah I ended up sticking with it and it ended up being a good decision! I know girls who didn't and now they regret it.

als463 · #6 11-21-2008, 01:00 PM

Are you heading to Cornell? That school seems to take a lot of transfers. If so, good luck. Even if you don't go there-good luck! I have to admit, though, as a Nittany Lion, it's a bummer to hear people want to leave PSU. Maybe it doesn't have the program you are looking for. Good luck in all you do!

FSUZeta · #7 11-21-2008, 06:19 PM

i've seen girls who transferred in and fit in right away, and i have seen girls who just did not fit in at all and decided that affiliating was not for them.

the best thing to do, if you transfer, is leave your present chapter as a member in good standing. that way, should you decide to affiliate, the paperwork should flow smoothly. find out from your chapter secretary or president what is involved in affiliating with another chapter. you might need to start the paperwork before you actually set foot on your new campus. you might also email the new campus' chapter president to let her know that you will be transferring there and when, and that you would like to meet some of the members after classes have started.

when you get to your new campus, you should contact the new chapter to let them know you are enrolled at the school and are ready to meet them. hopefully they will have you over a few times in order to get to know you and let you get to know them and you will want to affiliate and they will want you to join them.

if the new campus has formal recruitment in the winter,right after classes begin, the new chapter might not have the time to meet you until after formal recruitment. don't get discouraged if this is the case. good luck!

luckylittlelady · #8 11-29-2008, 05:31 PM

Yeah I've loved my time at PSU but I'm realizing it's not really what I'm looking for. Cornell is on my list of schools to apply to for transfer but it's not my number one.

Thanks so much for your advice, everyone. It's made me less nervous about everything!