Sorority Involvment...sorry it's long!

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by MissKP

I didn't know that you guys needed my whole college life story to get some information but here goes i guess, i hope its not to boring haha...

I will be 20 when I graduate, I will be married a few weeks later...then I am transfering to Willamette University (which I'm sure no one in GC is familar with because it is tiny and is in Oregon). But anyway...my reasons for wanting to join a sorority in addition to being connected to the university are: being able to have that sisterhood experience, my current university never gave me that opportunity as we don't have a greek system here so now that I'm transferring I want that experience. As I realize some of you out there said get involved in professional activities or other student organizations...well I would love to, if they offered that many. There are absolutely no professional organizations for my major except the MBA club, because it's not a business school...and for other student organizations, there aren't a lot and the only one that even interests me at all is cheerleading since that is what I do now...but I'm done with that so sorority was my number one choice. Plus I like the idea of having the opportunity to do the philanthropies and meeting new girls and giving me the opportunity to meet people and make some life long friends (being a married, transfer, grad student, doesn't exactly give you the best social life.) Okay I hope that answers all your questions...And as for using the search option...I definitely know how and have used it, but the other threads that pertain to this topic have wanted the freshman experience of living in the house...and that's just not my situation, so I was hoping for a different answer. Okay now that this is pages long...I'll be going. I appreciate everyone's replies, you guys are great.

I do appreciate the explanation, and I feel for you. What people said may be right...there have been some discussions about which sororities even accept graduate students and Alpha Chi Omega was the only one of the three at your school which was mentioned as being open to graduate student membership. HOWEVER (and this is a big, big however) I've never heard a policy like this discussed, even being at a university w/undergrads and graduate students. Now, granted, we never had a grad student go through rush. Basically, someone said they emailed our HQs about it a few years ago, but I don't know if that's accurate or if that's changed and but I can't/won't discuss it on GC unless I find out that whatever policy we do have is openly advertised.

But let's pretend you're allowed to go through recruitment. And let's say DG and Pi Phi don't allow graduate membership into undergraduate chapters. Your options are already extremely limited. You sound nice, fun, and intelligent but unfortunately undergraduate sorority membership really wasn't designed for women like you. I do feel for you, but you're in such an extreme minority of all PNMs that situations like yours really haven't been accounted for. If you must know for sure, talk to the Greek Life office about what your options are, but I can't imagine they would encourage going through recruitment with all the automatic roadblocks due to your educational status.

That's my $.02 and I'm honestly sorry that things aren't different. Good luck in your professional program and upcoming marriage.

[EGAOPi]

Originally Posted by MissKP

Plus I like the idea of having the opportunity to do the philanthropies and meeting new girls and giving me the opportunity to meet people and make some life long friends (being a married, transfer, grad student, doesn't exactly give you the best social life.)

Being a part of a sorority is an incredible thing but, like the other girls have mentioned (and I'm also sorry to sound pessimistic), it doesn't seem very feasible for you at this time.
While some sororities have extended bids to graduate students in the past, the sorority experience is a part of the COLLEGE experience. While I understand that you're going to be married and out of college and therefore don't want the traditional pledge process/experience of living in the house, etc., I don't understand why you would then want to be in a sorority now. You chose to speed up the process by graduating early and heading off to an MBA program (which, as adpiucf pointed out, is unusual for someone your age and may not be the best decision, but to each their own). Most people your age are sophomores in college and if you still were, you'd probably be a great candidate for sorority membership. However, that's not your situation. We all make choices and your choices led you in a different direction which, unfortunately, likely will keep you from joining a sorority.
While your sorority is for a lifetime, you form those connections and share those memories in college. As a married female in graduate school, you're not going to be bonding over classes, dates with guys, getting excited over socials with fraternities, big/little sleepovers and things like that. While you're still young (only 20), the reality is you ARE out of college and you ARE going to be married. As amazing as the experience is and as much as I advocate it, a sorority is probably not the right thing for you.

I strongly agree with the others' suggestions about joining a group like Junior League. Junior League really is like a sorority for women out of college. Also, don't think that it's a group filled with old women--it's not. The NYC chapter lets women join at the age of 16! My local chapter requires you to be 21, so I plan on joining next year. In most cases, you need a sponsor in order to get in. Also, there are philanthropies and community service (the entire purpose of the organization), numerous fundraisers and huge social events (galas, balls, the works), meetings, an executive board, and more. In all of those respects, it really IS like a sorority. Many sorority women go on to be a part of Junior League. It's a huge group of women with common interests. It's run similar to a sorority, functions like a sorority and serves some of the same purposes...and even has some of the drama of sororities. I know several Junior League women that absolutely love it and say it is quite similar to the sorority experience. I'd definitely suggest that you look into this option.

I think you should concentrate on your grad work and making your marriage work. As a young student and a newlywed, a sorority shouldn't be your first priority right now. I know what it's like to wonder "what if?", but college is over and that ship has sailed. In the place you are right now, I'd suggest another option--I hope you do look into Junior League and everything works out for you.