update on my recruitment week so far...

[violetpretty]

I thought it was an NPC rule that in order to be eligible for membership, a PNM may not already have a bachelor's degree.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I thought it was an NPC rule that in order to be eligible for membership, a PNM may not already have a bachelor's degree.

It's not an NPC rule, because there are a couple sororities that definitely allow grad students...but there are some sororities that have bylaws against it.

[Buttonz]

I can only think of 2 NPC's that I know of that let students who already have a BA or BS join as an undergrad. It's something you might want to think about.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Obviously each sorority knows their rules and will act accordingly. Women who are rushing allow for their information is given to those in the chapters who need to that specific information-grades, and anything else on the application that is asked. I'm sure they will accept only those they can take so let's not fret over this aspect as obviously it will take care of itself.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Obviously each sorority knows their rules and will act accordingly.

I don't know about that. I seem to remember reading on here that an org had given a bid to a woman and then they had to take it back because it was in their bylaws that they couldn't bid someone who already had a degree.

[LPIDelta]

Plus, I am not sure I've seen a recruitment app that asked about previous degrees. Schools yes, degrees no.

To avoid the heartache, UWO needs to ask this question specifically of the remaining chapters.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

Plus, I am not sure I've seen a recruitment app that asked about previous degrees. Schools yes, degrees no.

To avoid the heartache, UWO needs to ask this question specifically of the remaining chapters.

I think the heartache has already happened. While it is unusual for degree-holders to seek membership in a sorority, I can see why it might be necessary to ask about previous degrees. Women who are in UWO's position would know going into R what is allowed, as opposed to finding out once R has already started, and even worse, once her heart is already set on a particular org.

Let's face it, if women don't find out about the degree rule until after R has already begun (or once they have received their bids), chances are pretty slim that they'll risk losing membership in an org they desire by ratting themselves out. (I'm not suggesting the OP is the type of woman who would intentionally withhold info in order to increase her chances of getting a bid. I'm just saying that there are people like that out there.)

[texas*princess]

What if, in a make believe world, the OP does already have a bachelors degree, but fails to disclose that on the recruitment application?

Since there are only 2 NPCs that take post-grad members, and the likelihood of both being on her campus is probably not high, what were to happen if she got 'found out'?

[AlphaFrog]

I actually think that there are more than 2 that accept post-grad students. The two that are referenced are ones that specifically have it in their bylaws that they accept them. I don't think a majority of NPCs have rules either way.

I think it's sort of like the homosexual issue...there are a few groups that actually have it in their bylaws that they accept homosexuals, and others have no bylaws for or against it...it just is. Likewise, just because it's in their bylaws that they accept homosexuals, doesn't mean that in reality they will. The difference in this issue being that I doubt any NPCs have bylaws excluding homosexuals, whereas there are some NPCs that have bylaws excluding post-grads.

[sugar and spice]

To UWO_2007: Congrats on Gamma Phi! They're a really strong sorority all across Wisconsin, and I'm sure you'll have fun meeting your sisters from all over the state.

To everyone else: I'm reading this thread for the first time, and you guys have been insanely rude to a rushee for no reason once again.

For the record, I don't think that the age gap between someone in their mid-20s and an 18-year-old is necessarily a big deal. Maturity gap, sure. But I know 28-year-olds who would fit in just fine in a pledge class of 18-year-olds, and I know 16-year-olds who have already bypassed that stage in their lives. Age ain't nothin' but a number. I don't know how old the original poster said she was, but if she's having a successful rush and getting invited back to houses, it seems clear to me that she's clicking with these ladies on some level. If she was being a condescending buzzkill, they wouldn't be inviting her back.

Furthermore, if the rushee is at a Wisconsin system school that is not UW-Madison, it is unlikely that her pledge class will consist entirely of 18-year-olds anyway. Many of the system schools have smaller Greek systems with less traditional pledge classes. Sure, there will be plenty of 18-year-olds, but there will also be a decent amount of upperclassmen and juniors rushing, both transfer students and non-transfers, and it's not out of the ordinary for these students to be older than is traditional for students to be. I rushed at Madison, the biggest and most traditional Greek system in the state, and my pledge class was still almost half sophomores with a smattering of juniors.

I really wish people would not try to speak for campuses where they aren't familiar with the Greek system.

Originally Posted by sugar and spice

I don't know how old the original poster said she was, but if she's having a successful rush and getting invited back to houses, it seems clear to me that she's clicking with these ladies on some level. If she was being a condescending buzzkill, they wouldn't be inviting her back.

I think I recall reading in another thread that she was almost 30.

[Benzgirl]

I'm so happy for you. Do you have any bid day picts yet?

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by sugar and spice

To UWO_2007: Congrats on Gamma Phi! They're a really strong sorority all across Wisconsin, and I'm sure you'll have fun meeting your sisters from all over the state.

To everyone else: I'm reading this thread for the first time, and you guys have been insanely rude to a rushee for no reason once again.

For the record, I don't think that the age gap between someone in their mid-20s and an 18-year-old is necessarily a big deal. Maturity gap, sure. But I know 28-year-olds who would fit in just fine in a pledge class of 18-year-olds, and I know 16-year-olds who have already bypassed that stage in their lives. Age ain't nothin' but a number. I don't know how old the original poster said she was, but if she's having a successful rush and getting invited back to houses, it seems clear to me that she's clicking with these ladies on some level. If she was being a condescending buzzkill, they wouldn't be inviting her back.

Furthermore, if the rushee is at a Wisconsin system school that is not UW-Madison, it is unlikely that her pledge class will consist entirely of 18-year-olds anyway. Many of the system schools have smaller Greek systems with less traditional pledge classes. Sure, there will be plenty of 18-year-olds, but there will also be a decent amount of upperclassmen and juniors rushing, both transfer students and non-transfers, and it's not out of the ordinary for these students to be older than is traditional for students to be. I rushed at Madison, the biggest and most traditional Greek system in the state, and my pledge class was still almost half sophomores with a smattering of juniors.

I really wish people would not try to speak for campuses where they aren't familiar with the Greek system.

I think you're reading too much into these posts. I didn't find that anyone was rude. Posters simply warned the OP that it may not be possible to pledge some groups and to look into it. They also pointed out that it may be difficult for someone who is nearly thirty to identify with 18-21 year olds (and vice versa.) No one got ugly. Some people expressed disbelief that age wouldn't be a factor, but that's their right. Apparently it wasn't the case with UWO_2007. She isn't in a such a different place that she can't make a bond with her new sisters. But...I think she is an exception not the rule! Congratulations, again, UWO!

[texas*princess]

I'm glad things worked out for you & you found a home in Gamma Phi Beta.

And I agree w/ AOIIAngel -- none of the posts were meant to be ugly or rude, just a warning that groups may/may not be able to pledge her or that she may find it hard to identify with 18 yr olds. Then there was some concern over some of the comments the OP made about wanting to work with them as a counselor type, but I think all that got cleared up too?

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by sugar and spice

Furthermore, if the rushee is at a Wisconsin system school that is not UW-Madison, it is unlikely that her pledge class will consist entirely of 18-year-olds anyway. Many of the system schools have smaller Greek systems with less traditional pledge classes. Sure, there will be plenty of 18-year-olds, but there will also be a decent amount of upperclassmen and juniors rushing, both transfer students and non-transfers, and it's not out of the ordinary for these students to be older than is traditional for students to be. I rushed at Madison, the biggest and most traditional Greek system in the state, and my pledge class was still almost half sophomores with a smattering of juniors.

I really wish people would not try to speak for campuses where they aren't familiar with the Greek system.

WORD. I still remember how women on GC acted when I was going through recruitment - PMing me threatening to turn my new chapter in for violating the Green Book is the best example. My pledge class was all sophomores except 1, and the pledge class after that was all juniors. It's not unusual at the smaller state schools for chapters to be very upperclassmen-heavy.

Anyway, UWO, welcome to Gamma Phi! A sister from my chapter transferred to there a few years ago, although I am not sure if she's active anymore.