Grad school too late to go greek?

outsider · #1 07-23-2002, 05:09 PM

Hey guys. I'm heading back to school this fall never having had the chance to join up as an undergrad. I transferred from a non-greek campus to a greek-saturated campus after my sophmore year, and figured I didn't have the time as a junior to give fraternity the committment it deserves.

After graduation, I regretted not having had the experience. My father and grandfathers were brothers, and they regarded the experience as one of the most enjoyable in their lives. I'm heading into a new school, new program, and new town, and I figure this is the kind of thing a social organization is made to help with. Thing is, I'm five years out of school, and I don't want to be trying to fit myself into an organization that doesn't want older students.

What's the deal? Are grads welcome (seriously)? Is brotherhood a dangerous thing to try and balance with a grad courseload? Or, is there a chance I haven't missed the last opportunity?

b.t.w. I'm not going to be surprised if you all say that greek life is better suited to an undergrad's role. I'd rather know that to be the case if it is. I'm asking because I figure, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?

Thanks for your input.

jonsagara · #2 07-23-2002, 05:36 PM

It totally depends on the house.

When I was an undergrad, we had a late-20s/early-30s guy come through rush. Had he been 18-22, he most definitely would have received a bid, but for some reason our chapter decided not to extend one to him.

Should you decide to go for it, I hope you have better luck than this guy did. If it works out, great. If not, that's fine, too.

DZBuckeye03 · #3 07-23-2002, 11:02 PM

I think if you want to do it...go for it. I'm not going to lie however, I don't know if it's the right thing to do so far out of school. As a senior, I sometimes have problems relating to the new freshman members that we get and there's only a 3 year age difference there. Despite that, I would still look and see what's out there, it definitly worth a shot!
Emily

Pi Kapp 142 · #4 07-23-2002, 11:43 PM

Dude, I say go for it. You will be big asset to your chapter with your experience and dedication to acedemics.

josh8o · #5 07-24-2002, 04:50 AM

GO FOR IT!
if you want it, then dont let little things get in your way.

this spring we initiated a 28 year old guy. his dad was a phi psi, and he went to a college that did not have a greek system. he wanted to be a phi psi as well. he works for one of our alumni, so he decided to go through. its really cool to have older guys in the house....the know a little more and are like that cool older brother who you feel like an equal with, but you can still count on them to use their life experiences to help you out with advise and stuff.

outsider · #6 07-24-2002, 08:33 AM

Dang! I didn't expect this much positive feedback!

I hear the point about relating to people so much younger than myself, and it's an important point to consider. Still, the opportunity to see things from someone else's perspective, like a younger brother's, can be a pretty valuable experience.

Also, point taken about differences from campus to campus. I'll try and locate a good contact involved in the greek system on my campus and bounce the idea off him / her before I make any major commitments.

Thanks again for the support and the great advice.

Cheers,

-D

AOX81 · #7 07-24-2002, 12:25 PM

I think it is never to late to go Greek!! I met a guy this past weekend who was just initiated into Delta Tau Delta and he is 35 years old, has a wife and three kids, and is working on his second bachelors degree.

TrojanGirl · #8 07-24-2002, 01:07 PM

I am a 23 year old college freshman, Sister of Pi Beta Phi and the OLDEST member of my house!!!! And I still have 3 years left! I say go for it. You will regret not trying!

TG

starang21 · #9 07-24-2002, 01:16 PM

if you pledge a BGLO, you can pledge the local grad chapter.

Pike4Life · #10 07-26-2002, 10:51 AM

If you want to do it, THEN DO IT!!

In my pledge class, we had both the youngest pledge and oldest pledge ever in the history of my chapter! We had a 17-year old freshman and a 26-year old grad student mixed in the 18-man pledge class along with everyone else from 18 to 22 years old.

What I'm saying is that if you want to rush, the do it! It may be easier for you if you got to know some of the guys in a few chapters PRIOR to rushing...that's what my 26-year old pledge brother had done back then.

wvapogirl · #11 07-26-2002, 10:56 AM

I never knew that you could rush if you were a grad student... guess you really do learn something new every day!

tau1819 · #12 07-26-2002, 11:14 AM

If you are 23 or 24 and are pathetic enough to be bossed around by 19 year olds, then it isn't to late to go Greek.

starang21 · #13 07-26-2002, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tau1819
If you are 23 or 24 and are pathetic enough to be bossed around by 19 year olds, then it isn't to late to go Greek.

i pledged when i was 23, and my dean was 29, my ADP was 23. i guess i'm pathetic?

outsider · #14 07-29-2002, 04:04 PM

I'm sorry Tau's Greek experience has mostly been about being bossed around by his brothers. That would be pretty pathetic.

On the upside, thanks to the encouragement here, I took the chance and spoke with some of the groups on campus over the summer. There was a lot of good feedback, and a positive vibe all the way around.

Thanks to everyone here for your support. It sounds like the values my dad and grandfather told me about are still very much a part of Greek life.

Sounds like it's gonna be a great ride after all.