Should I rush?

[AEPhiSierra]

If your parents are focusing on the stereotypes maybe you should show them the rules NPC's (and I am sure most locals as well) and campuses have that prevent sororities from being about the stereotypes. Many of the national websites have sections specifically for parents that may address issues parents may have with Greek Life. See if you can show your parents national organizations' standards on alcohol, hazing and academics. Often campuses have even stricter rules. Non-Greeks often stick with their harsh opinions about Greek Life but maybe it can help a little bit.

[icicle22]

Yeah, that does seem like a good idea...it is worth a try.

[Tom Earp]

What is so sad, is that many people have misconceptions about Greek Social Organizations.

What they see on the local TV news is not the only and total things about Greeks.

Greeks on their respective campi have to have house prices very compariable to not only dorms but apartment rental.

Granted, when you add dues in it will add costs.

But in weighing out what one gets for it, it is a very small price to pay.

What you get in dorms, a few friends in college. What after?

In a Greek Organization, you have Brothers/Sisters for life.

If nothing else as was said, sign up check it out and see waht it is all about!

Oh, not to mention, having fun, learning how to lead, learning a little about a small business, and doing something for the good over others in charity events.

I was the first one in my family to go to college and the only one who has ever been in a Greek Organization and it was and is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Just ask any He/she on GC!

[SECMom]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

What is so sad, is that many people have misconceptions about Greek Social Organizations.

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

What they see on the local TV news is not the only and total things about Greeks.

Greeks on their respective campi have to have house prices very compariable to not only dorms but apartment rental.

Granted, when you add dues in it will add costs.

But in weighing out what one gets for it, it is a very small price to pay.

What you get in dorms, a few friends in college. What after?

In a Greek Organization, you have Brothers/Sisters for life.

If nothing else as was said, sign up check it out and see waht it is all about!

Oh, not to mention, having fun, learning how to lead, learning a little about a small business, and doing something for the good over others in charity events.

I was the first one in my family to go to college and the only one who has ever been in a Greek Organization and it was and is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Just ask any He/she on GC!

I can add to this: My oldest daughter was the Philanthropy Chair for her sorority for 2 years. She initiated a campus wide "Cookout for Cancer" with the proceeds going to St. Jude's. This along with one other fundraiser raised over $20,000 for St. Jude in one semester alone. When she was interviewing and applying for jobs after graduation (her degree was PR/Marketing) this was the thing that most impressed potential employers--not her great GPA or the fact that she was in several honoraries. So not only does sorority membership give you opportunities for philanthropy and leadership, but also real experience that can transfer to the job market! I remember also that she was contacted by one company for an interview (she had posted on Monster) because "whoever" saw that she was a DDD and he had some sort of DDD connection!

[EGAOPi]

Originally Posted by SECMom

I can add to this: My oldest daughter was the Philanthropy Chair for her sorority for 2 years. She initiated a campus wide "Cookout for Cancer" with the proceeds going to St. Jude's. This along with one other fundraiser raised over $20,000 for St. Jude in one semester alone. When she was interviewing and applying for jobs after graduation (her degree was PR/Marketing) this was the thing that most impressed potential employers--not her great GPA or the fact that she was in several honoraries. So not only does sorority membership give you opportunities for philanthropy and leadership, but also real experience that can transfer to the job market! I remember also that she was contacted by one company for an interview (she had posted on Monster) because "whoever" saw that she was a DDD and he had some sort of DDD connection!

I second this! I am also an officer for my sorority and it constantly impresses everyone that hears about it. I'm also working toward a PR degree and whenever I speak to anyone in the PR profession (those I intern with, etc), they always talk about how the sorority connection and the position within the sorority will get me far in my intended career.

Whether you're going for PR or medicine or education, the sorority experience will prepare you for it in some way. It teaches you so much about yourself and others--you are definitely a stronger person for it.

[icicle22]

If anyone doesn't mind, what are the merits?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by EGAOPi

I second this! I am also an officer for my sorority and it constantly impresses everyone that hears about it. I'm also working toward a PR degree and whenever I speak to anyone in the PR profession (those I intern with, etc), they always talk about how the sorority connection and the position within the sorority will get me far in my intended career.

Whether you're going for PR or medicine or education, the sorority experience will prepare you for it in some way. It teaches you so much about yourself and others--you are definitely a stronger person for it.

While I agree that the experience of being an officer in a sorority does help prepare you for a career, I have to say that it does not always pay off to have it on your resume. I work in PR and a number of my coworkers are GLO members, but I do not list it on my resume anymore (I did when I first graduated and didn't have much work experience) because I know that many people DO have a bad impression of "sorority girls." Though other Greeks may see it on my resume and be more inclined to consider me, there are many other people out there that might reject me because of it. It might be different in other parts of the country, maybe in the south it's more of an advantage?

[KSUViolet06]

You get the opportunity to live in a sorority house. That may seem shallow, but it's really a unique experience.

You gain so many interpersonal skills living with so many people. I learned alot while living in my chapter house about how to live with others.

[SigKapSweetie]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

maybe in the south it's more of an advantage?

Yes. I can't speak for you Northerners, but when I was applying to medical schools down here, one of the main things my interviewers asked about was my sorority experience. One of my interviewers was an AEPi at UGA, and we spent the entire interview time plus twenty extra minutes talking about being greek at an SEC school. I got in.

[SECMom]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

While I agree that the experience of being an officer in a sorority does help prepare you for a career, I have to say that it does not always pay off to have it on your resume. I work in PR and a number of my coworkers are GLO members, but I do not list it on my resume anymore (I did when I first graduated and didn't have much work experience) because I know that many people DO have a bad impression of "sorority girls." Though other Greeks may see it on my resume and be more inclined to consider me, there are many other people out there that might reject me because of it. It might be different in other parts of the country, maybe in the south it's more of an advantage?

I hadn't really thought about it this way, but then again we live in the DEEP south!

There are some men here in our small southern town who were all members of the same GLO at the University of Alabama back in the day...one of them had an idea for a company and talked his "brothers" into backing him. The company grew and seriously almost all of the men who were involved in this save one were these same brothers....the company sold for 35 Million dollars. Those guys were in their mid thirties.....when my own brother starts dissing fraternities as being a waste of time I remind him of these guys