How should a pledge address senior brothers during the pledge process?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by rupert85

Thanks for the tips. A successful interview will lead to a bid and the pledge period starts immediately after that. I was told that if I'm offered a bid, I will be asked to accept or decline within an hour or so after the interview. If I accept, I would stay at the frat house for a bid ceremony and the start of the pledge period.

I don't mean to be pretentious, but I expect to pass the interview and be offered a bid, as the fraternity only had five potential pledges attend rush events. I think that only three of the five will actually go ahead with the interviews. The frat has 40 active members.

So, I guess that neat, business attire is acceptable for the interview stage, as well as a general level of respect. I asked one of the brothers whether I would have to address them as "sir" once I become a pledge. He just smiled and said sarcastically: "what do you think?"

Dude, it's not about numbers only. Just because you are one of five interviewed doesn't mean for sure you will get a bid. Also I would go with business attire since your pinning ritual would be right after.

[rupert85]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Dude, it's not about numbers only. Just because you are one of five interviewed doesn't mean for sure you will get a bid. Also I would go with business attire since your pinning ritual would be right after.

I guess that's true, but can they really go ahead with a class of only 3 or 4 pledges? I will go in business attire (shirt, tie, suit), but I don't know what happens once the pinning ritual has been completed and the pledging begins. Both are happening on the same day/night and we were told to leave our schedule completely open that day. Is business attire appropriate if the actual pledging begins?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by rupert85

I guess that's true, but can they really go ahead with a class of only 3 or 4 pledges? I will go in business attire (shirt, tie, suit), but I don't know what happens once the pinning ritual has been completed and the pledging begins. Both are happening on the same day/night and we were told to leave our schedule completely open that day. Is business attire appropriate if the actual pledging begins?

They can take as many or as few members as they want.

And attire questions really should be answered by members of the organization, not us.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by rupert85

I guess that's true, but can they really go ahead with a class of only 3 or 4 pledges?

In a word, yes.

[Woof]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

In a word, yes.

Double yes.

If a chapter is doing Interviews,
it's just a sign that they are being very selective and want to see where your head is at from minute 1.
This fraternity is obviously about quality over quantity or else they wouldn't hold an interview.

Of course there's also another scenario that if true I won't ruin for you.

[rupert85]

Originally Posted by Woof

Double yes.

If a chapter is doing Interviews,
it's just a sign that they are being very selective and want to see where your head is at from minute 1.
This fraternity is obviously about quality over quantity or else they wouldn't hold an interview.

Of course there's also another scenario that if true I won't ruin for you.

Thanks, but is the somewhat cryptic second scenario what I am thinking--that the fraternity is maybe not so selective and even a little desperate for new members? I mean, they are holding the interviews, bidding ceremony and first day of pledging all on the same day. It seems to me that they want to get pledges started as soon as possible in order to integrate them quickly and decrease the chance that they will reject the bid or drop out at the start. Just an idea... but I'm basically clueless as to what they are thinking...and I find it frustrating.