age question

AlphaFrog · #1 07-07-2007, 08:08 AM

In general, fraternity rush is a lot more lax than sorority recruitment. Therefore, if you read the ookatrillion sorority recruitment threads on here, take them with a grain of salt to your situation. I know I read a post on here where the guy's chapter had bid a 30 year old. So it does happen. One of the top houses on my campus had an older gentleman in it. Obviously, us not knowing your school (and probably not a good idea to tell us either, as you'll be pretty easy to pick out if anyone from you school reads GC), we can't offer you spesific advice or statistics.

I personally think you just need to go for it. What harm could come out of it? And, otherwise, you're always going to think to yourself "what if?".

Styrofoam · #2 07-07-2007, 06:54 PM

I rushed my fraternity at 22 (turned 23 durring my pledgeship) and i wasn't the oldest guy there. One of my pledge brothers was 23 already, and soon to be 24.... my best friend (and a brother) is 19. Like you, I don't really care how old i am, its how old i feel that makes the difference. I still run around and have a good time with my younger friends (with the benifit of going to the bar with my older ones)

I also would like to point out, me and 3 other guys decided to go to Colorado University to install the colony there. (a blast i might add) and the initiation ages ranged from as young as 17 to as old as 30. So... Who knows, just go hang out with the guys you like and see what its about. You might find its not something you want to do anymore... but you might find it as rewarding as I do. YOu never know untill you try.

SWTXBelle · #3 07-08-2007, 05:25 PM

I know my brother's fraternity had some older members. Really, it wasn't an issue for them. If they were interested, and likeable, they had as much if not more of a shot than the younger men. I know several members reallly appreciated the perspective the older guys brought, and it worked out well.
I think it is more of an issue for sororities than fraternities, frankly.
Go for it, and good luck.

DDlegacy · #4 07-09-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I know my brother's fraternity had some older members. Really, it wasn't an issue for them. If they were interested, and likeable, they had as much if not more of a shot than the younger men. I know several members reallly appreciated the perspective the older guys brought, and it worked out well.
I think it is more of an issue for sororities than fraternities, frankly.
Go for it, and good luck.

Yeah, I know several older fraternity men. And guys tend to stick around longer than girls do--maybe because they can. Sometimes its a maturity thing. If you don't mind hanging out with 18-19-20 year olds, I don't think it would be a problem at all.
Even in my sorority we had a sister (she just graduated and went alum) who was 25/26 when she joined. She made friends with some of the older girls, to be certain, but I never really felt like she was older than me. There are older women that go through, but they generally don't stick it out--maybe they don't want to hang out with a bunch of fresh-out-of-high-schoolers.

Dionysus · #5 07-09-2007, 02:18 PM

Go for it. It's better late than never...or too late.

Tom Earp · #6 07-09-2007, 02:38 PM

I love the word older!

I started a Local at 24 and am still doing after 42 years.

Age is one thing only and that is regarding where you are in college year.

Any time and many times a more mature person can give a big boost to any chapter and Fraternity!

The key is picking the correct one first.

If they want to haze, drop them and find one who does not beleive in it not only from their site but in fact.

I would suggest one but I won't, you ahve to make up your mind first.

Get to know the Members and Brothers to get a better idea!

SNUIGC · #7 07-09-2007, 02:40 PM

Yeah, I agree with what everyone else is saying... at my chapter we just accepted a guy who was 27 during the Spring semester... and he had just got out of the Army and was coming back to school. So, I mean, it's definitely more than possible and would definitely say go for it.

Firehouse · #8 07-13-2007, 08:13 PM

I'd add: don't spend time explaining your circumstances. If anyone asks, just say you worked for a few years after high school. Don't lie, but if you start out explaining your "journey", the undergrads' antenna go up and they tend to get spooked. You're obviously older; all you have to say is I worked after high school then went to junior college. That makes you a normal guy and not something they don't understand or identify with.