Unusual Circumstances--questions about rush

Greektome · #1 07-09-2003, 01:54 PM

Well, I have searched and searched and some posts have been helpful, but I am still unsure.
Here is my situation--I am returning to school for a second bachelor's degree and am considered a nontraditional student at the age of 27 (though I still feel like I am 21!) and have always wanted to go through rush. I was an athlete the first time round and just didn't have the time commitment for a sorority then. The other kicker is that I am married, but my husband is going to be on deployment (he is in military) for at least a year of my schooling, so I am on my own. I have been trying to find NPC requirements on age or marital status, but haven't had any luck. Yes, I have already checked the website. Anyhow, hoping a few sorority girls can give me their HONEST advice. Much thanks.

33girl · #2 07-09-2003, 01:57 PM

First thing is, where are you attending school? A LOT hinges on that.

Greektome · #3 07-09-2003, 02:06 PM

I will be attending University of Tennessee

texas*princess · #4 07-09-2003, 02:13 PM

I don't know much about the University of Tennesse, but maybe you could consider alumnae initiation. Many members of NPC sororities have become sisters through Alumnae Initation (AI) due to unusual circumstances that they couldn't rush while pursing thier first bachelor's degree and still continue to be involved with their organizations!

Kristin AGD · #5 07-09-2003, 02:13 PM

One of the girls in my pledge class was 25 or 26, and she was married. And she is awesome. But I know at some schools that would not have worked out so well. It really does depend on the campus.

My (biological) sister is contemplating the same thing. She is 26 and is starting college. Her husband is deployed 3-6 months out of the year. She wants to be an Alpha Gam, just like my other sister and I. She is stationed out in Sacramento. And I don't know if the chapters we have out that way will be as comfortable to pledge as mine was. We have discussed alumna initiation as an option too!

If this is something you want, don't give up! It is totally worth it.
Good Luck!!

AggieDZ · #6 07-09-2003, 03:43 PM

I think a lot of your decision will depend on whether or not you feel that you'd really enjoy hanging out with a bunch of 22 & unders for that much time. A sorority is a BIG time ccommitment , and a SOCIAL organization. No one should join an undergraduate chapter thinking, "I just want to BE IN a sorority. I really don't want to have to BE (friends) WITH those particular people all the time." (I'm not implying that this is what you are thinking, but this does happen) Not to mention the majority of your pledge class will be around 18. I know that by the time I was a senior (& had a full-time job, applying to law school, running my own small business, boyfriend, etc.) I just didn't have a lot in common with most of the younger girls. HOWEVER, I would venture to say that there would be a true wealth of talents, wisdom etc. you would have to offer any chapter. For instance, in my situation, I ended up being the chapter rep. to our city's Chamber of Commerce due to my experience with business/marketing dealings. I know that while there were times when *petty, girl-issues* (which are inevitably more frequent and frustratingly petty the younger we are - we ALL remember Jr. High, right?) got on my last nerve.... the younger girls were my "breath of fresh air" more than once, as well. All of this and I was only 22 when I graduated ! I can only speak for myself, but I can only imagine that given your situtation, I would be happiest, most at home, and most fulfilled pursuing alumna initiation at a point in my life a few years from now.

AchtungBaby80 · #7 07-09-2003, 04:09 PM

On my campus a year or two ago there was a young woman going through rush who was either 25 or 26, I can't remember. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but most of my sisters (as well as members of other sororities) thought it was slightly strange, to say the least, that someone of that age was considering joining a sorority at the collegiate level. I think it was because women over 20 or 21 are really rare during recruitment time, but she was released by my house and if what I heard was correct, by all the other houses as well by the second or third day. I can understand your reasons for wanting to join a sorority and I know it would have been near impossible for you to do it earlier, but be prepared because you may have a hard time. Like others said, I would guess that it all depends on where you go to school. Recruitment on my campus was fairly big (we usually had 600-800 PNMs) and 18-year-old freshmen were definitely preferred, but the situation may be totally different at other schools.

shadokat · #8 07-09-2003, 05:13 PM

If you're talking about the big University of Tennessee Knoxville? As someone else said, you probably don't want to hear this, but in a competitive SEC environment, the chances of you being treated as an 18 year old freshman will be just isn't realistic. I'm not saying you won't get a bid, because I don't know the campus, but even on my small greek life campus, it would be looked at strangely for a 27 year old married woman to be going through recruitment. I do agree with texas princess, who mentioned Alumnae Initiation. It's a fabulous way to join Panhellenic sorority life, and YOU may be feel more comfortable with women your age instead of the 18 year olds

Trust me, I'm 29, and collegiates sometimes make me feel like I'm 100!!

Memphis has an alumnae panhellenic at http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/A...ellenic_.html.

I'd also talk to the other alumnae initiates on here to get their take on it. Best of luck to you, whatever it is you decide to do!!