Does anyone else have regrets joining?

[KSigkid]

I don't at all - it was the perfect chapter and group of guys in a number of ways.

But, if you do a search through the Greek Life and Recruitment threads, I think there are a few started by people who regretted their chapter/org choice.

[AnchorAlumna]

Sometimes.

I joined before the whole "family" thing. My daughter's big disappeared after her first semester so she missed that, and never got included in another family. That's why I think it's a mistake to promote the family thing. It interferes with group cohesiveness.

I have made some good friendships in alumnae groups. You're never going to be as close as you might have been living in the same chapter house or going through things together at that time of life. On the other hand, these buddies and I together have seen marriages dissolve, children grow up, new romance bloom, parents and spouses pass on.

[baci]

I have several friends that truly have felt and still feel as you do. I know that these feelings were worse back in college years. One I roomed with for a year and she talked about it constantly. She wished she was in my org. and I always wondered why she remained in hers. IMO, her situation was not because she was not part of a great org. on campus, but more what "she" wanted and did not receive.

No matter what people say over and over there are people who do not end up where they belong. The other friends I knew were cases where they were not a good fit. It was obvious, but they took their pledge and worked hard over the years to try and make it work for them.

I do know that the alum experience is better for the two that have gone that route. It is more about being a friend and knowing you will have friends that you can count on to support you in both your amazing times and your hardships throughout your life wherever you may live. (wow, I rambled on here)

[Munchkin03]

Honestly? I did.

Granted, I didn't do as much as I could have that first semester to gel with everyone; on the other hand, they chose not to support some of the choices I made, like to become an RA (preventing me from living in the house that first year, a decision that had been made before Rush). In some ways, it's a two-way street. When I look back on college it's the memories I made with my friends, not the ones with my sisters, that stick out the most. I have no hard feelings and am in touch with most of them.

Ten years later, however, it's a different story. When I graduated and moved to NYC, I joined the alumnae chapter and have made some of my best friends here. Through them, I have become involved in some of the charity events that are closest to my heart. They are much closer to me than my chapter sisters are.