Graduate Student and AI

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueKappa

I'd think getting "caught up with" getting an education should probably come before geting "caught up with" AIing a sorority.

Just my $.02.

I agree! School comes first.

And that is exactly my point. The AI application process on the part of the PNAM is not a time consuming endeavor. However, it can be a very long waiting process. There is even a chance that the person would have graduated by the time she was initiated!

And, as I stated in my post above.. once someone finds their home through AI, they can be as active as their schedule permits.

My AA usually has one social or philanthropy event a month. I think that's pretty typical... although some have more (such as the huge AA Houston chapter) and some have less.

Unless someone is a chapter advisor or an officer in my AA.. it would mean that if the person went to every single event-- she would only be devoting two hours or so a month. That doesn't seem out of line for a grad student.

[TrueBlueKappa]

I read your original post and understand what you're saying. But, from reading all these AI threads, it seems that women sometimes get very caught up in the whole AI process. We see threads time after time written by obsessed women who spend quite a bit of time trying to initiate, speed along, and/or worry about the AI process.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueKappa

I read your original post and understand what you're saying. But, from reading all these AI threads, it seems that women sometimes get very caught up in the whole AI process. We see threads time after time written by obsessed women who spend quite a bit of time trying to initiate, speed along, and/or worry about the AI process.

Yes, it's exciting for the women who are going through the process... just as it's exciting for women who are going through collegiate rush. Some post a lot about it because they have questions, or they want to share their experiences.

And yes, they do worry about it.. that's natural when it's something that means a lot to them, and they're not getting any feedback. The AI process is very difficult, and can be quite the emotional rollercoaster. Often there is silence on the end of the GLO for many months-- leading the PNAM to wonder if she's out of consideration, or if there is something holding up the process-- like a national vote, or misplaced paperwork.

However, I don't see the obsession you mention in the threads. Maybe it's a difference in the way we are perceiving these threads.

[Xidelt]

And yes, they do worry about it.. that's natural when it's something that means a lot to them, and they're not getting any feedback. The AI process is very difficult, and can be quite the emotional rollercoaster. Often there is silence on the end of the GLO for many months-- leading the PNAM to wonder if she's out of consideration, or if there is something holding up the process-- like a national vote, or misplaced paperwork.



Is there a prize on GC that I didn't know about if you repeatedly post the same thing over and over, like how the AI process is long, difficult, emotional, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah....

[Munchkin03]

I don't know...it was the dark ages (2003?) when I was in grad school, but I wasn't so beat down that I wouldn't have been able to join a sorority (or relax for that matter). I was taking 21 hours each semester. I went through a competitive program at a tough school...maybe I was doing something wrong? I got a job, though, and I just presented my thesis at a major conference in my field.

The rest of my philosophy on AI, however, is well-documented on this board, so I don't feel the need to repeat it.

[texas*princess]

Yes, I realize that sorority life is "forever". A good percentage of the women I hang out with today are sorority sisters (that I met in college) and even if in a hypothetical world if I hadn't been extended a bid or I didn't join, I really do believe that we'd still be great friends. And I have definitely met several wonderful women in my alum. assoc.

I think it's different for someone who pledged a group in college, but couldn't initiate because of financial reasons or other extreme circumstances and to come back later and say, "I was thisclose to being a XYZ and I love everything about them and want to look into AI".

But for someone who randomly comes out of the woodworks to say "I didn't like any of the groups on campus" or "I didn't have time to rush when I was in college" but they have time in grad school to worry about AI'ing a sorority?

As an aside, I agree with CP2000 who said part of the reason that so many people get stalled is because they go to the orgs instead of the other way around... but that's another story for another day.

[AUDeltaGam]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

But for someone who randomly comes out of the woodworks to say "I didn't like any of the groups on campus" or "I didn't have time to rush when I was in college" but they have time in grad school to worry about AI'ing a sorority?

That's what I was trying to say, but you said it much better

[blueangel]

Things get stalled because things get stalled. It doesn't necessarily have to do with whether the PNAM sought out AI or the other way around.

In some sororities, AI is extremely rare, therefore all kinds of things can happen to hold up the process. Paperwork can be inadvertantly not filled out correctly or missing altogether, miscommunications can happen up the chain, the iternational council may need to meet to vote on people and perhaps they only meet once or twice a year, the PNAM may have to wait until the collegiate chapter's next initiation, or the AA might take some time getting things together in order to hold the initiation themselves, or the international council may decide to hold off the AI until the next convention (which could be two years off). Any number of things can and do happen.

[ScarletRed]

i understand completey what you are saying, and agree with some of it. Just getting out and sorority shopping at random and the first one that "bites" joining? Nope, I don't agree with that at all.

I also agree with you that you shouldn't persue AI after graduation just because you didn't like the sororities that were on your campus, but at the same time, I don't think you should only persue one that you pledged because there is probably a reason why you did not go through initiation.

If I were persuing AI, I would, at minimum, start with the sororities at my alma mater and see if there was a local AA group near where I lived.

I also believe a potential AI should have something to OFFER the sorority. What do they do for a living? Would they be willing to assist new grads in networking for jobs? What other organizations do they belong to that would benefit the sorority in "cross" membership.

I wouldn't want someone to AI because they have nothing else to do and wake up one morning and decides AI is a good idea. I would want to know, in great detail, WHY they want to AI, and what are their plans with the sorority AFTER they AI.

I would very much expect a new AI to be MORE actively involved with AA activities than a regular AA member...because the one that went the collegiate route, no doubt, participated alot, by requirement, throughout their educational career.

I also believe, if a PAI did not feel a connection with the AA chapter, that they should do the right thing and not pursue initiation with that group, even if it is offered; just like you would never pledge a sorority if you didn't feel a connection when you are in college.

Originally Posted by texas*princess

Yes, I realize that sorority life is "forever". A good percentage of the women I hang out with today are sorority sisters (that I met in college) and even if in a hypothetical world if I hadn't been extended a bid or I didn't join, I really do believe that we'd still be great friends. And I have definitely met several wonderful women in my alum. assoc.

I think it's different for someone who pledged a group in college, but couldn't initiate because of financial reasons or other extreme circumstances and to come back later and say, "I was thisclose to being a XYZ and I love everything about them and want to look into AI".

But for someone who randomly comes out of the woodworks to say "I didn't like any of the groups on campus" or "I didn't have time to rush when I was in college" but they have time in grad school to worry about AI'ing a sorority?

As an aside, I agree with CP2000 who said part of the reason that so many people get stalled is because they go to the orgs instead of the other way around... but that's another story for another day.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueKappa

We see threads time after time written by obsessed women who spend quite a bit of time trying to initiate, speed along, and/or worry about the AI process.

I think the reason why these women get stalled, is because they are approaching groups on their own recommendation and therefore, do not have anyone on the "inside" who can or will "vouch" for them, or give them updates as to what is happening.