I need all the advice I can get

DivineChick · #1 05-05-2015, 02:14 PM

Hello everyone!
I am currently a junior at my university. I am really interested in joining a sorority at my college here; I've been interested ever since I came into college. I met with the girls too and they seem so nice and open.
The only problem is - my GPA. I messed up really bad my freshman year and had a 2.1. I raised it sophomore year to a 2.56, but due to bad family issues while taking tough classes and 18 credits last semester, it went down to a 2.4. I'm doing REALLY well this semester - this is probably my best semester since not only have I found my passion but all of my grades are really good - I don't think I will be receiving anything less than a B. Plus I'm taking 3 summer classes, so if I get A's in those classes I can possibly raise my GPA to a 2.75-2.8.
This is an issue though because the sorority I want to join now requires that we have a 3.0 GPA, though last year they said that they required a 2.7.

So my question is - should I still even try? This is literally the only sorority I've ever been interested in. I don't mind joining in my senior year since the sisterhood we create would last a lifetime, plus I plan to stay in school for one extra year to obtain my Masters. I don't want to pledge when obtaining my Masters since I would be really old. I know they're graduate chapters, but that doesn't really appeal to me - I feel as though that since we're all going to be busy, I won't be able to bond with my sisters, and if anything I would only be networking.
Academics come #1 to me. I have had rough patches here and there. But I don't want to graduate college with regrets of not pursuing something I really want to do... I'm stuck.

andthen · #2 05-05-2015, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineChick

Hello everyone!
I am currently a junior at my university. I am really interested in joining a sorority at my college here; I've been interested ever since I came into college. I met with the girls too and they seem so nice and open.
The only problem is - my GPA. I messed up really bad my freshman year and had a 2.1. I raised it sophomore year to a 2.56, but due to bad family issues while taking tough classes and 18 credits last semester, it went down to a 2.4. I'm doing REALLY well this semester - this is probably my best semester since not only have I found my passion but all of my grades are really good - I don't think I will be receiving anything less than a B. Plus I'm taking 3 summer classes, so if I get A's in those classes I can possibly raise my GPA to a 2.75-2.8.
This is an issue though because the sorority I want to join now requires that we have a 3.0 GPA, though last year they said that they required a 2.7.

So my question is - should I still even try? This is literally the only sorority I've ever been interested in. I don't mind joining in my senior year since the sisterhood we create would last a lifetime, plus I plan to stay in school for one extra year to obtain my Masters. I don't want to pledge when obtaining my Masters since I would be really old. I know they're graduate chapters, but that doesn't really appeal to me - I feel as though that since we're all going to be busy, I won't be able to bond with my sisters, and if anything I would only be networking.
Academics come #1 to me. I have had rough patches here and there. But I don't want to graduate college with regrets of not pursuing something I really want to do... I'm stuck.

Is this an NPC or NPHC group? Either way if your grades don't meet the requirements they may not consider you.

DivineChick · #3 05-05-2015, 02:47 PM

No it's under the Multicultural Greek Council.
I have heard of other sororities and fraternities (even in the NPHC) making exceptions towards their members when it came to their GPA, especially if they were only 1 or 2 points below the minimum. But then again, that's other sororities and fraternities. I'm not too sure about this sorority, but it just sucks because if they had kept the requirement from a year ago then I would be able to join.

AZTheta · #4 05-05-2015, 03:05 PM

Honestly, you need to pledge the library. First priority is to complete an education. Don't know what kind of graduate program you're going after, but in most fields your current GPA won't make it past the initial application screen. No sense in forecasting future grades; your past performance is generally regarded as the best predictor/indicator of future performance. Yes these are harsh words, but you need to hear them: GPA cutoffs exist for a reason. Instead of trying to be the exception, focus on your studies.

DivineChick · #5 05-05-2015, 04:01 PM

AZTheta: Thank you for the advice. But as I had said before, I went through a rough freshman year as many people have. I learned from my mistakes and brought my GPA up .5 points within two semester. But then last semester a whole lot had happened in my life within 4 months, and it showed in my GPA. But then this semester I'm back on the right path again. I'm a very self-motivated person, so that's why I had given what I plan to receive over the summer. And as I said, academics does come number 1 to me. But I just don't want to graduate college not pursuing something that I've been wanting to since I came here, especially in my youth. Plus I haven't made much friends here to begin with :/

33girl · #6 05-05-2015, 05:19 PM

Did you find this GPA information on the website, or did a sister tell you? That's a really large increase in GPA and either they had so many issues with women dropping out of school or the sorority because of their grades that they went over the top, or else (if a sister told you this info) this info is just for you. You can try and you can explain why things happened gradewise, but be prepared to be disappointed.

Also, if you're going to be a senior and you haven't made any friends at school, that's honestly another issue that wouldn't bode well for your attaining a bid. You might be better off getting your degree, getting out of school and then pursuing membership. I wouldn't write off graduate chapter membership as "just networking" and assume you couldn't make strong bonds.

DivineChick · #7 05-05-2015, 07:31 PM

The sister told me that a 3.0 GPA was required, but on their website it says a 2.75 GPA is required for membership.
And I do have friends here, but most of them are just "small-talk" friends if that makes sense, since it is a very big school. I don't have a bad reputation - most people see me as a hard worker because I'm always studying lol. Most of the friends I made here are in other sororities so I hardly see them anymore.
But thank you, I will search up more about graduate membership as well. One of my friends in a sorority suggested talking to the sisters about it.

33girl · #8 05-06-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineChick

The sister told me that a 3.0 GPA was required, but on their website it says a 2.75 GPA is required for membership.

Honestly, I think that's your answer. Get involved in other campus activities, get your degree, and then think about graduate membership. Not my lane, but asking those who would know...is it advisable for her to speak to sisters at her undergrad institution?

knight_shadow · #9 05-06-2015, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineChick

The sister told me that a 3.0 GPA was required

That's your answer.

Even if the national site has a minimum threshold, it's just that -- the minimum. The chapters can set their standards higher.

If the organization has graduate membership, you may consider that. But if your GPA is lower than what they want, there's really no "should I even try" -- sorry.

Blue Skies · #10 06-06-2015, 08:37 AM

A Master's degree program (assuming that you get in) will not coddle you and will not accept *any* excuses (adjustment, family issues, tough classes, heavy class load.) In my program, if memory serves, at least a 3.0 average was required or you were out the door. I had to produce 60 pages of text within my first month of grad school. My program didn't play around. You either got the job accomplished or you were GONE.

You can certainly always try with the sorority of your choice. The worst that will happen is that you are rejected. But if you truly want or need to go to grad school, I would put my focus on academics instead. Also consider that the intensity of grad school makes it an ideal place for forming bonds with your cohort.