To old to rush?

Shawndalynn · #1 11-07-2001, 01:23 AM

I was just curious is the sorority looks down on people who are older if they want to rush. I am 21 I have been at my school for 4 years but I will be here for 2 more because my classes and stuff got all messed up when I was a freshman. I was really interested in rushing but I am not sure if they will hold that against me. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. Thats really the only reason I would not try to rush would be becuase of that. Thanks.
Shawnda

PenguinTrax · #2 11-07-2001, 09:22 AM

Shawnda,
It really depends on the chapter and the school. Some chapters at larger schools where Greek Life is very competitive AND they have to insure the house stays full will prefer freshmen over everyone else. However, if there is room in the chapter after formal recruitment, older students often join via informal recruitment.

If sorority life is something you truly desire and you feel you can express to these women how much you would benefit their chapter, I say go for it. If you already know some of the sisters on campus that helps. Also, if you definitely think you will be on campus for another 2 years, make sure that's made clear - that you will be a contributing member for quite a while. That, and your maturity will be a bonus as well.

As a caution, be aware that if you join with a large new member class, most of those women will be freshman. As an older member, this may be difficult for you and them. However, if you 'follow' the same 'rules' as the other new members do, not flaunting your age and it's benefits (read 'bars'), you should do just fine.

kimmykimmy · #3 11-07-2001, 05:03 PM

INMO, I would try to hide your age. And, even though you have been in school for four years, you dont' have to be a seinor.

Whatever class you are in, fresh, soph, etc. I would say the lowest class w/o lying of course!

what school are you rushing? Good luck!

ZetaLuvBunny · #4 11-07-2001, 06:18 PM

A girl in my pledge class is 25. She is really sweet and nice, but I'm sure it is difficult for her to relate to the rest of us since we (the pledge class) are mostly 17-19 years old. She is married, but she does not have any children. I know for a fact that two girls who were going through rush this fall got dropped by everyone because they had babies. Everyone figured that they wouldn't have enough extra money or time to commit to the sororities when they have such big reponsibilities as children.

I don't know exactly what your situation is, but I would advise against lying about your age or status. Of course, if they don't ask you about it, don't offer, but certainly don't lie if they do ask. No one wants a dishonest sister. Explain to them, for example, that when you were younger you didn't rush simply because it was too time-consuming, too much money, or whatever the case was. Tell them that now you feel you have the time, and that you are financially stable. They definitely will want to know that you have the commitment and responsibilities to make a great sister. This will let them know that you are serious about joining.

Shawndalynn · #5 11-07-2001, 07:19 PM

Thanks for the help. I really don't have a situation like the ones you mentioned just that I figured that I would be older than most of the girls that we probably going to be going through rush. I just really wasn't sure when I was a freshman if I wanted to rush but know I know some of the ZTA's here at my school so I want to do it now.
I really hadn't planned on lying to them to keep my age a secret. I mean how would that be to start off lying about my age I figured if they want me for me then my age won't matter. Thanks for the help and I will let you know know what happens I probably won't rush till this comming fall but I am really wanting to do it in the spring I will just have to see what happens. Thanks again.
Shawnda

ZetaLuvBunny · #6 11-07-2001, 07:31 PM

Good Luck, Shawndalynn! By the way, I wasn't implying that you were going to lie, I was simply argueing with what KimmyKimmy was saying, "I would try to hide your age". Don't hesitate to ask any of us more questions about ZTA or rush in general (providing that it's info we are allowed to tell). PnguinTrax here knows everything there is to know about ZTA and Rush! tee-hee

She was a great help to me during my rush this fall!!!

Shawndalynn · #7 11-07-2001, 07:39 PM

I aplogize I wasn't implying that you wanted to me to lie I was also disagreeing with what she was telling me to do about my age.

I will defianately keep posting so I can let everyone know what is going on. Thanks again.
Shawnda

ZetaLuvBunny · #8 11-07-2001, 07:39 PM

Gotcha.

MTSUGURL · #9 08-20-2002, 09:29 PM

I'm also wanting to join a sorority, but I'm 25 (I took 3 years off to help out my family, work, save money, figure out what I really wanted to do). I have 2 1/2 years left. I rushed Zeta at the school I transferred from but didn't pledge because it was so expensive at that particular school. I went to pref parties for Zeta and KD, but Zeta was the only one to make me cry! I plan on waiting for informal rush here, but I definetly want to try. It's the only thing I would love to do in college that I haven't done yet! My 2 roommates, who are both 19, waited to rush so that they could be with me. Isn't that sweet? I hope ya'll have a great semester!

SparkliiQTMTSU · #10 08-20-2002, 10:34 PM

you should definitly Rush!!! Are you at Middle Tennessee State?? if you are IM a ZTA there !!! I would love to meet up with ya!

Nichole

MTSUGURL · #11 08-20-2002, 11:03 PM

Hey Nichole! Yes, I'm at MTSU. I'm a Special Ed major. I had intended to rush, have gotten my GPA to 2.394, and then the requirement was changed to 2.5. I've emailed Panhellenic to beg to be allowed to rush anyway, (I would be surprised if they did, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask), but if that doesn't happen, I'm going to pray there are still openings next semester. I'll be at Greek Fest tomorrow night just tocheck things out.

What's your major, and all those other questions people normally ask? Hope you are having a great week! Would love to meet up with you. My email is cms2f@mtsu.edu.

becljohn · #12 08-21-2002, 10:44 AM

As an alum I come from a different perspective. RUSH, forget your age. that has nothing to do with it. Alot of chapters may choose freshmen, but it is really eazy to loose members like that (grades, changing schools) When I was a new member a majority in my class were sophomores or older because we wanted established members who would stay at the school and we knew that they would keep their grades up. As far as married ladies going through I have no problem, it's only slightly different than having a steady boyfriend. When I went alum there were 2 women, who had just pledged, who were married and were wonderful sisters. ?However, I would advise that married with children is not a good Idea, just for the fact that you may have the money but your children deserve the time. You can not give yourself fully to an organization with children.

ZTABullwinkle · #13 08-21-2002, 01:33 PM

Shawndalynn and MTSUGURL,

I am going to tell you that if you feel like going ZTA at an "older" age (*cough* *cough*), then go for it. Why am I saying this? I actually became a collegiate ZTA at 28.

(no, not married. no kids.) I go to Old Dominion University in Virginia. (Iota Sigma, 208th link!!)

But like previous advice, it is going to depend on where you go to school, the chapter, etc. I was up front with my new sisters about my age. Never lied about it! I made jokes about it.

There were times it was difficult associating with my pledge sisters, but I wouldn't change a thing. I love my Alpha Zeta pledge sisters. We Rock! They made it fun, my sisters made it fun. Let us know what you end up doing!!!

ZTAMiami · #14 08-21-2002, 02:27 PM

ZTABullwinkle:

YOU ROCK!!!

I can imagine it must be tough to associate on all levels with your pledge sisters but obviously you are looking more into the true aspect of what ZTA sisterhood is all about.

ZTABullwinkle · #15 08-21-2002, 03:42 PM

Thanks ZTAMiami! I love my sisters. I thought I had missed out on going Greek. I became a Paramedic after High School and because of some medical issues also, put off my bachelor's degree. But they showed me that sisterhood was still an option. So, don't give up hope to those of you who still want to go Greek!

I didn't, I am living proof...