I'm an older student, can I still join/pledge?

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by For_My_Girls

I never went to college, I was to busy skipping high school!
So at 17 I got my G.E.D and tried my hand at community college at the request- no scratch that, demand of my mother!

Foward that to late 2004, with two small kids, and no education, I decided to go back to school to get a better education, a better career and to set an example for my girls. So thru a community college I got an Associate degree and now I am tranfering to a University to get my
Bachelors and eventually get my Masters.

Ok, I'm rambling......But now you know my college history, when I transfer to a University can I try and join? I'm 31 now. Is there a max. age limit? or does it vary from sorority to sorority?

I think it's great what you've achieved.

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by PrettyBoy

I think it's great what you've achieved.

Ditto! I also agree with what everyone else has said in this thread as well.

I have to ask the OP this, why do you want to join an NPC sorority? Is it to make friends and have a sisterhood? Even if they're 10+ years younger than you? Their interests, priorities and time committments are going to be far different than yours. You are at two completely different stages in life.

I am not trying to be mean and certainly not shallow. You deserve an honest opinion and please don't take this as my saying you shouldn't try. I don't know you. I don't know your life interests or your reasons. I don't know the campus you will be attending. You certainly have a chance in getting a bid depending on the campus and the Chapter(s), but you need to be realistic in your expectations. I anticipate your choices as being very limited.

If this is what you truly want to do, then go for it. Some additional advice, I think your chances would be far better with an informal Recruitment process rather than a formal if that option is available to you. This would give the actives more time to get to know you in a laid back setting.

[SigKapCoug]

I kind of feel like you wouldn't want to if you thought about it - are you interested in hanging out with 18 year olds? You'll also be missing out on some sister-bonding by not being able to live together, and not going out to parties together and things like that.

I feel like though I would be friends with someone like yourself, it would probably be harder to relate than with my other collegians - I don't know what it's like to have kids, or my own family, work full time, or have to pay my own bills.

[FloridaTish]

I would like to chime in on this one as a mom in my 30's.

I applaud all that you are working to accomplish and wanting to be a positive role model for your girls. However, I think what should be most important to you is getting your degree and being a good mother. I understand wanting to be part of a greek organization, but the time commitment required to be an active member of a collegiate chapter may directly impact your abilities as a mom.

I'm not saying that you can't do both, but I know first hand the amount of time I put into the chapter I advise as an alumna and at times, I feel bad that it is time that I am not spending with my daughter. However the time required for me as an alum is dramatically less than that of an active sister. I couldn't imagine giving up the amount of hours required of an active and choose a social activity over spending time with my daughter.

Yes, moms ar entitled to have a social life, but when you become a mother, priorities change. Maturity has hopefully set in and I can say first hand that there is no way I could go into a social setting with a bunch of 18-22 year olds and NOT feel out of place. I consider my self to be very outgoing and social, but there is just a basic difference in maturity and life experience, where I find myself laughing to myself sometimes, because I feel "old" when I am around them.

I adore my sisters in the collegiate chapter and I love that I can provide guidance, direction and advice to them when it is needed and asked. That being said, could I imagine myself being and active part of the chapter being now in my 30's. Heck no!

You are a mother of two (i'm sure adorable!) little girls...they are your sorority for life and I think that focusing on your studying & being a mom is the best example you can set while finishing your degree...

Best of luck to you!

[BabyPiNK_FL]

My chapter pledged and initiated a 30 year old mother of an 8 year old. I wasn't around at the time, but I heard she was an amazing person and did what time allowed her to do.

Definitely focus on your kids and you education and yourself. But what's the harm in rushing? None really. And I don't question your motives at all. Sometimes people really just want to experience sisterhood and the positivity that sorority life has and I feel like it's sad we (NPC) don't encourage alumnae growth like some other organizations do. I'm not saying to have a free for all, but how can we say "not for college years alone" and not really encourage others to share in the experience at any level because they didn't have the chance? I rushed as a junior and had some wonderful people not convinced me I would have never joined and regretted it.