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[epchick]

Again i'll say it, I hate when people say "I'm a junior/senior, but I have ___ years left of school" It doesn't necessarily work like that--at least not in my sorority. We count from when you first entered school, and you can go 4 years (possibly 5 depending on the chapter). So since you are a senior, even though you might have 3 years left, you would NOT get those 3 years as a collegiate.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by epchick

Again i'll say it, I hate when people say "I'm a junior/senior, but I have ___ years left of school" It doesn't necessarily work like that--at least not in my sorority. We count from when you first entered school, and you can go 4 years (possibly 5 depending on the chapter). So since you are a senior, even though you might have 3 years left, you would NOT get those 3 years as a collegiate.

I disagree. It's worth saying because they don't know how every organization works. For AST, we have no collegiate alum, no fifth year alum, nothing. If you are a collegiate and a member, you are active. So for us it IS definitely worth knowing.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I disagree. It's worth saying because they don't know how every organization works. For AST, we have no collegiate alum, no fifth year alum, nothing. If you are a collegiate and a member, you are active. So for us it IS definitely worth knowing.

However... it is also good to note that if you do wish to enter into alumnae status, you have the option of doing so after you've either:

1.) Completed 4 years of school, or
2.) Been active in the sorority for at least 3 years

So even with this, I could see how chapters might be weary of initiating someone, thinking that they could essentially leave at any time that they wanted after they've finished 4 years of school. As for my chapter, we don't really care. If someone really wants to be part of the chapter, whether they're a freshman or not, and we really like them and would like for them to be part of the sorority, then we allow them to join.

Again, it all depends on where you go to school, and how each chapter views your situation.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

However... it is also good to note that if you do wish to enter into alumnae status, you have the option of doing so after you've either:

1.) Completed 4 years of school, or
2.) Been active in the sorority for at least 3 years

So even with this, I could see how chapters might be weary of initiating someone, thinking that they could essentially leave at any time that they wanted after they've finished 4 years of school. As for my chapter, we don't really care. If someone really wants to be part of the chapter, whether they're a freshman or not, and we really like them and would like for them to be part of the sorority, then we allow them to join.

Again, it all depends on where you go to school, and how each chapter views your situation.

Are you sure? I looked in the Collegiate Chapter Handbook and I believe it said that if you are a collegiate, you must be active and that AST has NO collegiate alum policy. But my CCH was from the early 1990s...so I could be out of date!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Are you sure? I looked in the Collegiate Chapter Handbook and I believe it said that if you are a collegiate, you must be active and that AST has NO collegiate alum policy. But my CCH was from the early 1990s...so I could be out of date!

Ok, sorry... I accidentally put that you had to complete either one of those, but in reality, you have to do both. So you would have to complete 3 years in the chapter before you could be an alumna. But yes, we have people all the time who complete 3 years in the sorority, might have an extra semester or year of school left, and then can choose to go into collegiate alumnae status. I attended school for an extra semester (because I changed my major 3 times. haha), and I had the option, but I chose to stay active.

It's Standing Rule #10 in the Collegiate Constitution

[Katmandu]

Recruitment at the University of Oklahoma is competitive, and the the vast majority of greek women on that campus tend to be of traditional age and circumstances. That is not to say no one in your circumstances could ever get a bid, but it would be more difficult at OU than at a school with a different environment, such as a school with a large commuter or non-traditional student population. OU sororities have big houses, and you will also want to investigate live-in requirements and what exceptions, if any, are made to any expectations for women to live in.

Talk to the Greek Life office--they will know who is COBing, and they may have a realistic sense of your chances. However, as a married 23/24 year old woman, you might find that going to Grab a Dates, Crushes and fraternity mixers with 18 year olds less fun than you think. Close friendships, service opportunities and fun times can also be found in community sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi, or service or leadership organizations, and clubs/interest groups on campus. OU is a big place with big opportunities.

[NotSure27]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

Recruitment at the University of Oklahoma is competitive, and the the vast majority of greek women on that campus tend to be of traditional age and circumstances. That is not to say no one in your circumstances could ever get a bid, but it would be more difficult at OU than at a school with a different environment, such as a school with a large commuter or non-traditional student population. OU sororities have big houses, and you will also want to investigate live-in requirements and what exceptions, if any, are made to any expectations for women to live in.

Talk to the Greek Life office--they will know who is COBing, and they may have a realistic sense of your chances. However, as a married 23/24 year old woman, you might find that going to Grab a Dates, Crushes and fraternity mixers with 18 year olds less fun than you think. Close friendships, service opportunities and fun times can also be found in community sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi, or service or leadership organizations, and clubs/interest groups on campus. OU is a big place with big opportunities.

Would it better if I waited and tried to initiate as an AI? I really like the idea of being in a NPC sorority, I have read a lot about the different ones on their websites and just find everything so fascinating. I just dont know how difficult this would be to get in either.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Ok, sorry... I accidentally put that you had to complete either one of those, but in reality, you have to do both. So you would have to complete 3 years in the chapter before you could be an alumna. But yes, we have people all the time who complete 3 years in the sorority, might have an extra semester or year of school left, and then can choose to go into collegiate alumnae status. I attended school for an extra semester (because I changed my major 3 times. haha), and I had the option, but I chose to stay active.

It's Standing Rule #10 in the Collegiate Constitution

Good work. Thanks!

[cbm]

As an OU grad, I will be honest with you....I really do not think you have much of a chance at getting a bid. Rush is competitive, and it's hard for traditional rushees to get into top houses. We have one of the largest rushes, so no houses are hurting for pledges. I just can't see many (or any) of them extending a bid to a married rushee. Also, in my sorority once you get married, you move to alum status.

If you are not looking for the traditional collegiate experience, I'm not sure why you would rush. I would honestly look into some other similar organizations, such as Junior League.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by epchick

Again i'll say it, I hate when people say "I'm a junior/senior, but I have ___ years left of school" It doesn't necessarily work like that--at least not in my sorority. We count from when you first entered school, and you can go 4 years (possibly 5 depending on the chapter). So since you are a senior, even though you might have 3 years left, you would NOT get those 3 years as a collegiate.

Different NPCs have different policies regarding whether a 5th year can remain active. I believe this would be a (Inter)National Policy rather than a chapter policy, but I could be mistaken.

My sorority allows 5th years the option to remain active or go alum. My chapter had a 5th year remain active and live in the house during her 5th year.

Other NPCs require 5th years to go alum.

I'm not sure if any NPCs require 5th years to remain active until graduation.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Different NPCs have different policies regarding whether a 5th year can remain active. I believe this would be a (Inter)National Policy rather than a chapter policy, but I could be mistaken.

Ahh ok, good to know. I didn't know if other NPCs allowed 6th+ years (and according to fantASTic, AST does), but my understanding was my sorority doesn't.

I know we allow 5th year students as well, but after the 5th year you had to go alum even if you hadn't graduated yet.