Question on Rushing in my 30s (Fraternity)

[rufio]

one of my pledge brothers was 25 when he joined after serving in the army before college. his big bro was 19 and it worked out fine.

[emb021]

Originally Posted by Kato

I am hoping that there might be some observations (from your perspectives) on my particular situation:

I will be transferring from a JC to the University of Washington in the fall and am strongly considering rushing a fraternity.

I am 33 years old and married, and am finishing up my bachelor's after several years sidetracked between work and family.

I guess my question is simple: As a 30 something would I be viewed as some kind of freak if I attempted to rush? I've read anecdotes here and there that for fraternities it is not totally unheard of (unlike sororities), but hope that some of you might be able to tell me your thoughts on the subject directly.

I pledged as a 30-something grad student. I was not the oldest active in the chapter. Another guy was older, and he had a kid.

However, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed National Service Fraternity, not a social, so that is a little different. Most APO chapters are open to having non-traditional student pledge and activate.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by emb021

I pledged as a 30-something grad student. I was not the oldest active in the chapter. Another guy was older, and he had a kid.

However, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed National Service Fraternity, not a social, so that really doesn't pertain to what you are asking. Most APO chapters are open to having non-traditional student pledge and activate.

hey look, i fixed it.

[emb021]

Originally Posted by nate2512

hey look, i fixed it.

No you didn't. You're just being a jerk. Nothing in the original post said only socials.

Originally Posted by emb021

No you didn't. You're just being a jerk. Nothing in the original post said only socials.

While he didn't indicate social fraternities, I got the impression that's what he was interested in.

[emb021]

Originally Posted by OTW

While he didn't indicate social fraternities, I got the impression that's what he was interested in.

It could also be he's not aware of other possibilities. Too many think socials are the only kind of GLOs.

Another poster mentioned professionals, which is another possibility as well. (but will leave that avenue to those more knowledgeable about them).

[UGAalum94]

Who knows though, it may turn out that APO is a great option for him.

It wasn't like it was presented as a social fraternity.

And that "fixed it for you" crap is just lame. There are plenty of other frat boards for that. It's not even funny smartassity.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by emb021

No you didn't. You're just being a jerk. Nothing in the original post said only socials.

that's what people mean when they say "fraternity"

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

that's what people mean when they say "fraternity"

I am part of "people" and that's not what I mean.

[CrackerBarrel]

When someone says they want to go greek, or says that they're going to college and looking into greek life, they are absolutely 100% always talking about a SOCIAL fraternity. Professional "frats" and greek letter honor societies have absolutely nothing in common with my fraternity (aside from greek letters) and when someone says they're going greek no one is referring to them, so I think it's absurd to even pretend that it's reasonable to think he is asking advice about joining a "business frat".

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

When someone says they want to go greek, or says that they're going to college and looking into greek life, they are absolutely 100% always talking about a SOCIAL fraternity. Professional "frats" and greek letter honor societies have absolutely nothing in common with my fraternity (aside from greek letters) and when someone says they're going greek no one is referring to them, so I think it's absurd to even pretend that it's reasonable to think he is asking advice about joining a "business frat".

But when a guy is rushing in his 30s and he has a wife and kids, it's also pretty likely that he's not going to have the fraternity experience that the average person looking into greek life is looking for.

If it turns out that his campus isn't open to 30+ year old social fraternity pledges, he may want to look at what's out there.

Had the OP been an 18 year old recent high school grad, yours would totally be a point worth making. For this guy, maybe not so much.

[Senusret I]

And there is nothing wrong with others presenting other options, is there?

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by Kato

Oh and also, an important question is living in a house. Is this mandatory? My particular situation would make that impossible, obviously.

How many business fraternities have houses?

Here is where we draw the line between Greek Lettered Organizations and Fraternities. Any CLUB can slap Greek letters on their name and POSE. Fraternities, which when someone expresses interest in joining Greek and mentions a house, as the OP did, you assume hes talking about FRATERNITIES. FRATERNITIES aren't clubs, they're brotherhoods, they're much more, so we gentleman in fraternities shouldn't be short sold, by a bunch wannabes. If you would like to offer the situation to the OP, phrase it better:

Dear OP,

Perhaps you should consider a service organization club. I joined (not pledged) one, and I was of a similar age, and found it to be a great fit.

And stop making up words. Smartassity?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by nate2512

so we gentleman in fraternities

You flatter yourself.

In an incorrect way, grammatically speaking, no less.

[nate2512]

Ok, you found one, not at the university he was referring, and more fraternities than not, have houses, and more GLO clubs than not, don't. So it is very safe to say that he was talking about joining a social organization, and thats what everything said in thread was pointing to, until some jackass had to plug in for a service, professional, whatever the hell bullshit that was, that will clearly never be able to offer the same opportunities and atmosphere, as true fraternities.