Engineering and Greek Life

[Faith4Keep]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

That means during the terms of non-recruitment you take a heavier load then you do during recruitment. You will take the same amount of classes, but keep the really hardcore at a different time. Also, this may be harse, but the term(s) before recruitment you should take the lighter courses that you can.
You need to get your GPA high so that you are seen just the same as any other PNM instead of a potential problem.

Oh wow, I would never recommend that. Maybe I come from a different school or different opinion, but it has ALWAYS been recommended that we spread out or general education classes, so that you take one or two a semester instead of a full year or two of them. In fact, if you only took general eds your first year in engineering at my university, you would graduate a year later that scheduled. It's impossible.

Not to mention that, as much as I hate writing papers for my GED classes, it's a relief to take 4 engineering and 1 GED- one time I took 5 engineering and it nearly killed me. I think that most groups (scholarships, special awards on your campus, and even greeks) DO take into account that you are in a more demanding major when they look at your GPA. At my school, a *stellar* GPA for an engineering student is a 3.5; a good GPA is a 3.3 or above. This is common knowledge here.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to rush as a freshman, so I don't think it will matter....!

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Oh wow, I would never recommend that. Maybe I come from a different school or different opinion, but it has ALWAYS been recommended that we spread out or general education classes, so that you take one or two a semester instead of a full year or two of them. In fact, if you only took general eds your first year in engineering at my university, you would graduate a year later that scheduled. It's impossible.

Not to mention that, as much as I hate writing papers for my GED classes, it's a relief to take 4 engineering and 1 GED- one time I took 5 engineering and it nearly killed me. I think that most groups (scholarships, special awards on your campus, and even greeks) DO take into account that you are in a more demanding major when they look at your GPA. At my school, a *stellar* GPA for an engineering student is a 3.5; a good GPA is a 3.3 or above. This is common knowledge here.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to rush as a freshman, so I don't think it will matter....!

Ditto to that! Unless you're a transfer student like me who's force to take my gen eds the first two years in a community college. I've seen seniors have a really light load because they know how to spread out gen eds so they can end up taking 3 engineering courses and 1 gen ed the 2 sememsters before they graduate.

Also depending what your major is, some majors may require you to take the Fundenmental (sp? too early in the morning) Exam before you graduate, which is a 8 hour long exam that covers all the things you learn during your 4 year college career. It is required if your career requires a Professional Engineering license. And that test itself can take TONS of time to prepare during your senior year.

So do spread our your gen eds, it'll benefit you in the long run. Also depending what you do in summer, the first 2 summers would be the best time to take summer school at your local community college. They offer gen physics/chemistry/ general classes, or excel courses that cramp an entire year of material into one summer. So for a summer, you can get 2 semester courses out of the way. It is intense, but if you have the strength, you can definitely do it. In that way, it also lightens your load quite a lot during your normal school years so you can participate in more Sorority Activities. Also it can allow you to graduate in 4 years instead of 5 years

[adrie435]

I love seeing all the sorority members/ women engineers on here!!! We are all testaments to the fact that it can be done (and done well! ). I was an engineering major in school and chapter President during the two semesters that are typically the most difficult for my field. You will definately have to make sacrifices in terms of social events and relaxation time but you will find it is one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make. During recruitment, make sure you stress your commitment to both your major (academics and good grades are key for sorority membership) and to being an involved member of a sorority. If it sounds like an active is concerned about your grades or time to be involved with the sorority.. tell her about your time management skills or how you plan to do both.

It's great that you are interested in Greek Life! While there are many women in engineering and sororities, I always run into people who are surprised and impressed that I could do it and I have to say, it helped me immensely during job interviews that I could show I had a personality to go along with brains...

[blondebutsmart]

It has been great to get so much support from everyone. Thanks!

I have to maintain a 3.4 GPA in order to keep my scholarships. I know that's not an extremely high GPA, but I realize it will take a lot of time and work with the kinds of classes I am taking. Like someone mentioned, if you haven't had to work very much in high school, it can be a rude awakening when you get to college. I tend to procrastinate, but know that I will have to change that in order to do well in college.

I'm looking forward to the whole sorority recruitment, but am nervous, just like any other freshman would be. I don't want to be seen as a "nerd" because I am in engineering. I kind of had the opposite experience in high school. I was the blonde cheerleader, so people were surprised when I did well in classes like calculus and physics. It was annoying, but I dealt with it. I just hope the sororities don't stereotype like that and think that just because I'm in engineering I am all about math and science.

[AOII_LB93]

I know as an alum adviser for my chapter that we've had several computer science majors and a couple of engineering majors, and quite a few nursing majors. All were quite good with time management. I bring up nursing, because much like engineering and CS, there is a ton of stuff that needs to be done, and we have a great nursing program at my Alma Mater. I agree with everyone else, as long as you know your priorities you should be fine.

And heck, AOII colonized a chapter at Rose-Hulman...talk about your engineers! There are three chapters on that campus...so apparently those women are probably quite good with time management.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by blondebutsmart

I don't want to be seen as a "nerd" because I am in engineering.

nerd who look good are the best women around.

[khlkcca]

At Purdue I had a ton of sisters who were engineering majors, a few pre-pharmacy, and pre-vet. They were definitely not seen as nerds. It totally depends on the person. Some of the engineering majors attended very few events, but my pledge mom attended almost everything. She also held a Panhel office, was in Order of Omega etc. You need to think about your personal study habits, but both can be done.

[flirt5721]

I am senior in Electrical Engineering and although I am an alum now (due to family reasons) being an engineer and in a sorority is not as hard as some might make it out to be. It all depends on how one can handle their time and their school life from your social life. I was one of 3 EE in my chapter so I had help with some of my homework. One thing that really helped me was living my the sorority house. I didn't have to drive far if I was going to stay in the lab or study hall late.


Studying is a big part in the success of school but sometimes you might want to take a break from always studying and hang out with your friends. However their are time in which some girls in the sorority might want to hang out but you will have to do homework and they do not understand that having like 5 problem can take a couple of hours. Also their will be some other engineers that might feel that being in a sorority is a waste of time. Its not. Its one of the best things I did. A lot of my engineering friend always like to give me a hard time about being in a sorority but I never really paid much attention to them.

Not sure how it works at the school you will be going to but at NMSU you could start your engineering classes once you had the math requirements (Calc I). I always like to mix my engineering classes with my gen. ed. classes or with my Spanish classes (with is my minor)

[deadbear80]

AngieWashU and I were in the same chapter in college (although I was a year behind her), and I think she stated well that while there is a balance between being an engineer and being a sorority woman, it's more than doable. I was not an engineering major, but there were many other women in our chapter besides Angie who were engineering majors who held larger leadership positions. Our director of new members one year was a civil engineer--she definitely made it work for her; still got good grades while not slacking in her leadership role.


I went to law school with a girl who went to Purdue undergrad and was a chemical engineering major and she was president of her chapter. It can be done.

I think it really depends on what you want to do with your college career. There may not be room for much else besides a sorority and your classes, but that goes for just about every major depending on what type of leadership role you take on (if you even choose to take one on--not taking a leadership role is okay too). You just need to find the right balance for yourself.

[Faith4Keep]

Okay, this is my last post on this thread, I swear! I'm just so excited to see so many sorority women who were engineering majors!! When I joined Theta I never thought that I would be able to 'advance my career' or 'network' because... well... a woman in engineering is rare, but one who is also a sorority member? I thought that was pretty far-fetched.

Anyhow, when I went through recruitment, one of those repeated quesitons is "So, what's your major?". When I said engineering, I got one of two responses: 1) The girl got really wide-eyed and nervous, and from that point on it was like it was impossible for us to have anything in common because I was in the sciences. 2) The girl is a little nervous, but pushes on and starts asking questions like "Really? Why did you choose engineering/what do you plan on doing with your degree?". The chapters I recieved option 2 at were eventually the ones I preffed. I think the best way you can help your self in this situation is giving as much information as possible. Instead of just saying "Oh yeah, I'm engineering" which may make you come off as a smarty-pants, you could respond with "I'm an engineering major- I took a real interest in roller coasters/space shuttles/other real-world experience in high school". This will probably lead onto other conversations.

And, on the flip side (which has already been mentioned), you will meet lots of engineering majors, guys and girls, who will resent you being in a sorority. Some will think that you are a straight-up party girl and will not want to study. This is your time to shine, though- show everyone that sorority girls CAN be smart and studious, and this will make a great name for your chapter. Same goes for doubting professors- don't be afraid to wear your letters to class.... just make sure you always get there on time.

Good luck!! I hope you share your recruitment with us on the boards!!

[blondebutsmart]

It has been great hearing so many words of encouragement. It's obvious your association with a sorority has been a positive influence. Faith, don't stop posting if you think of something else you think I should know.

I know it shouldn't bother me, but I was hoping that people in college would be more open minded than in high school. I guess I shouldn't have expected that because even my AP calculus teacher told my mom he thought it would be great for me to get a fresh start in college--no one would know I was a cheerleader. AAGGHHHH!

[UDPhiPsi]

It's been said over and over on here, but it really depends on the way you are. I'm currently a chemical engineer and have had no problem balancing my school work with my Fraternity. Ironically, my GPA actually went up the semester I rushed compared to my first semester freshmen year.

It all depends on your study habits.

Worst case scenario, if you feel you are getting bogged down, take a little time away from the sorority. Our saying is that school always comes first and then your Fraternity or Sorority, and it should, but sometimes your love for the Fraternity or Sorority can get those out of order.

[Soliloquy]

You mentioned you are going to a school in the mid-west, so chances are recruitment may not be that competitive or harsh towards upperclassmen. No one can tell you here for sure unless you post your school, or the general vicinity. Anyway, here's my point with the upperclassmen rambling..

If you can stave off your desires to be in a sorority for a year, you may just want to focus on getting a feel for college life. Study hard and get involved with other activities (such as Student Government Association) to learn time-management. I did this and am going through recruitment this year and honestly, I am glad I did. While my recruitment process may be more difficult due to my location, the year I spent focusing on my studies and other activities really helped me out. I don't think I could have handled a NM period along with the classes I had to take. I'm no engineering major by any means, but I am double-majoring with a minor! I got really involved on campus and finally taught myself to be less of a procrastinator. I also got to meet a lot of sorority women from being so involved and got a better idea of what sorority life is like. So while it has been killing me to wait until formal fall recruitment this year, I'm glad I did!

Now please don't think I'm saying you couldn't handle being a freshman and pledging a sorority, I'm sure you could!!! I know us athletes really learn a lot about prioritizing at a young age! But college is a whole new ball game and I just want you to do your best! I love seeing women in male dominated programs, so I hope you stick with it.

Good luck at your new school and going through recruitment

[Obligato]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I majored in electrical and computer engineering in college; I pledged my sophomore year. I must confess that my grades suffered. Our chapter was very small so a lot of work was demanded of each and every member. Between working and partying, my GPA suffered because I did not have the time management skills that I have now in grad school. Some of it also had to do with my lack of career direction at the time.

So my advice would be to really ensure that you have a top notch time management system in place and everything will be fine. Good luck!

Sounds like my current situation as a fourth year undergrad...

[ISUKiteFlyer]

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Okay, this is my last post on this thread, I swear! I'm just so excited to see so many sorority women who were engineering majors!!

Yay, another Theta engineer! I was so incredibly excited to find this thread, I can't not post!

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Anyhow, when I went through recruitment, one of those repeated questions is "So, what's your major?". When I said engineering, I got one of two responses: 1) The girl got really wide-eyed and nervous, and from that point on it was like it was impossible for us to have anything in common because I was in the sciences. 2) The girl is a little nervous, but pushes on and starts asking questions like "Really? Why did you choose engineering/what do you plan on doing with your degree?". The chapters I received option 2 at were eventually the ones I preffed. I think the best way you can help your self in this situation is giving as much information as possible. Instead of just saying "Oh yeah, I'm engineering" which may make you come off as a smarty-pants, you could respond with "I'm an engineering major- I took a real interest in roller coasters/space shuttles/other real-world experience in high school". This will probably lead onto other conversations.

Excellent advice. It's easy for the conversation to continue if you wrap why in... esp. if you're paired with someone who it's their first time recruiting. It'll help her get to know you! (Have I mentioned I'm excited for you?)

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Good luck!! I hope you share your recruitment with us on the boards!!

Please do let us know how it goes!

My pledge mom is a Chem E, one of Bigs is a Civ E, and she was president of our chapter when I was initiated. My first semester living in I was in the next room to an ME (and living with Mom) I'm an E. Science alum... currently playing the part of an ME at work. (Our chapter did have a full gamut of majors.) One of the reasons I rushed was because I wanted to be around more women in my campus life which I think has been mentioned... depending on your major or what class you take, you could be one of only a few in your section, or maybe the class will be half women - Materials and Civil used to be that way on my campus when I was there. It depends on the major, and the campus.

I also worked part time. Like many other posters have said, it's all about time management, and knowing what kind of studying a typical course/course load takes to make the grade. You'll get a feel of what works for you.

If you didn't have to study much in HS... see if your school has a course in study skills. At my school it was a 1 credit "attendance" class in the Psych dept (with a ton of sections). It helped me a ton and I wished I had taken it my freshman year. If you figure out what works for you, your study time will be more efficient. Also, the aforementioned study groups are also an excellent help (esp with those lengthy homework solutions).

Good luck and keep us posted! You can do it!