Recruitment as a grad student

[FL_grad_student]

As the title implies, I'm a graduate student interested in rushing.

I've read numerous other threads here about grad students seeking a bid (and even a few success stories) that give me hope that I might be able to finally be a part of a sisterhood.

I go to a large school that is mostly grad students and commuters with 3 NPC groups. I get the impression that recruitment isn't competitive or aggressive, based on my school's statistics. I live in a very, very diverse area of the country, which makes me think that there's no one mold for sisters here. One group offered on campus is the most well-known for taking graduate students, which I find quite lucky (you know, assuming someone wants a friendly 25 year old hanging around). My undergrad didn't have national groups, just local ones, which didn't appeal to me at the time, and the support of an NPC network means more to me as I get older.

I realize that a grad student may not fit in with a bunch of 18-22 year old undergrads but I'm really not interested in partying or a residential experience (my school doesn't even have houses). I'm interested in a national network that can support me across the country. My boyfriend is a med student and will be gone a lot over the next two years, and I'm starting my second grad degree next year so I understand my time constraints school and work require. I'd just love to be a part of something more.

I guess I'm wondering where to start. I know I need to contact my school to see whether I'm even allowed to rush... Should I consider rec letters, despite the fact that I'm non-traditional? Verify with nationals that the other two chapters on campus even take grad students? Reach out to the chapters themselves? I likely won't be able to consider recruitment until COR in the spring or possibly formal next fall but I'd rather know now whether this is even a possibility for me.