Is it worth it to pledge senior year?

[AlexMack]

There's always AI...

[dukemama]

Originally Posted by centaur532

There's always AI...

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by centaur532

There's always AI...

*Slaps wrist*
BAD!

NO!

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by centaur532

There's always AI...

It is also hard in NIC!

Actually much harder! But, that is not to deny the PHC for IAing!

There have been many fine Ladies who have AIed with PHC.

As far as NHPC, there is a different out look on the AI and their Alumni Chapters. They seem to be more positive towards it!


Good for them!!!!

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

As far as NHPC, there is a different out look on the AI and their Alumni Chapters. They seem to be more positive towards it!


Good for them!!!!

Thank you and so true. AI happens regularly in the NPHC and is no harder than collegiate selection/initiation. In fact in Delta the process is the same.

But to be completely honest, they are both hard--and I am not referring to hazing.

[Senusret I]

^^^ Ditto.

And I know second-semester senior initiates from every NPHC organization (except Iota because I don't really know any).

[James]

Put yourself out there. If its the type of campus you will get a bid on, its worth it. If not, its a moot point.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by James

Put yourself out there. If its the type of campus you will get a bid on, its worth it. If not, its a moot point.

If you deleted Drolefille's post you are officially no fun anymore and you suck as a moderator.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

^^^ Ditto.

And I know second-semester senior initiates from every NPHC organization (except Iota because I don't really know any).

Exactly! One of the hardest working members of my alumnae chapter was initiated as a graduating senior in college.

[Tom Earp]

Dashing and bashing dreams seems to become a habit for to many people anymore!

If a person asks a serious question at least give serious answer.

Just have the nerve to look into it and ask questoins. If it works, then it works!

If still interested speaking from a NIC stand point, there is a chance for AI and something else to look into!

It takes guts either way.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Dashing and bashing dreams seems to become a habit for to many people anymore!

If a person asks a serious question at least give serious answer.

Just have the nerve to look into it and ask questoins. If it works, then it works!

If still interested speaking from a NIC stand point, there is a chance for AI and something else to look into!

It takes guts either way.

It's not dashing or bashing dreams. It's being realistic, and the realistic thing is, that for a lot of fraternities at a lot of schools, it would be tough, if not impossible, to get a bid as a senior. That may be different for NPHC, I'll leave opinions on that to the NPHC members who have already posted.

However, I don't see the answers here as non-serious. Is it any more serious to tell someone "Do it, you're guaranteed a bid," only to have them be disappointed?

No one is saying "don't even try." What they are saying is, if you are going to try, be aware that it might not work.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

It's not dashing or bashing dreams. It's being realistic, and the realistic thing is, that for a lot of fraternities at a lot of schools, it would be tough, if not impossible, to get a bid as a senior. That may be different for NPHC, I'll leave opinions on that to the NPHC members who have already posted.

However, I don't see the answers here as non-serious. Is it any more serious to tell someone "Do it, you're guaranteed a bid," only to have them be disappointed?

No one is saying "don't even try." What they are saying is, if you are going to try, be aware that it might not work.

Correction: I'm saying don't even try.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by puma303

I am graduating next at the end of next year. Is it worth it to start in a fraternity next fall?

At my chapter we have had instances where a guy pledged in spring of junior year or fall of senior year. It is certainly rare, but it happens.

In every instance, the guy had an existing connection to the chapter. He would be at the house all the time and at social events because he had a friend or friend(s) in the chapter and eventually just became a part of us even though not a full member.

When someone becomes part of a chapter in this way- then it is only natural that they might want to pledge and become a full brother before they graduate. And in such cases, we are happy to welcome them.

In the real world, AI works pretty much the same by the way (ducking the flames now) except that a person's strong connection to a chapter starts or comes to a certain point after graduation.

That said, if you do not have a particular chapter in mind- just go through rush and see what happens.

Odds are against you in a big way for a variety of reasons which do not necessarily have anything to do with you personally- especially at schools with highly competitive Greek systems.

Many chapters have quotas- and they want to fill them with freshman who are going to be dues-paying members for a full four years. This is a practical, but vital, consideration.

Also, guys who are in 3-4 years will have time to grow and develop and give back to the organization by serving in office, living in the house, rushing etc. In an organization that gets all the freshman pledges it wants, you would be trying to take the spot of someone who could be there to do all that long after you graduate.

There is also the automatic assumption- which is generally true though there are individual exceptions- that pledging and being heavily involved in a fraternity is something a freshman wants to do, but not a senior.

Except for those serving as officers, you will find that most seniors in fraternities are winding down quite a bit in terms of their day-to-day involvement with the fraternity. Their attention is more focused on getting into graduate school or finding a job. Plus, by this point (hopefully) they are outgrowing the desire to come to every party and go crazy every weekend.

But take this with a grain of salt. Each of us is different. My pledgeship was a blast, but I was President of my class and at the house a good 40 hours a week. It was a full-time job, and I could not have done it as a senior preparing for grad school and taking some pretty tough final courses for my undergrad major.

Your mileage may vary depending on the school and chapter where you plan to pledge.

In the long run, if you find a fraternity that you like, and that fraternity sees value in your membership- then it doesn't matter if you are 18 or 75 years old. It will happen.

But just know the odds are tough once you get past sophomore year and you will need to be able to articulate very clearly why you want to join at a point in your life when very few people undertake this decision.

[Kodak1911]

I pledged K A Psi during my LAST semester as an undergrad. I graduated a month after I probated. I think it's worth pledging if you are dedicated to it.

There is a reason why I didn't pledge earlier and that was due to financial reasons. However, I didn't let it deter me from doing something I really wanted to do. I really wanted to be a brother in the bond of Kappa Alpha Psi, so I stuck with it.

I was blessed with the opportunity to be picked and go through the process. You have to remember this one thing: a fraternity's ties extend WAY beyond the campus. Therefore, just because you are leaving the chapter you pledged at doesn't mean you can't be a valuable asset to the bond.

[ECUJacob]

Speaking from experience: I pledged the Fall of my senior year and remained active during my Masters courses following graduation. Following the close of my educational ventures, I took on an advisors role and continue to offer my chapter the support they need.

So, I wholeheartedly agree with:

Fraternities are for life, and if you want to take it on, and can find a chapter that will take you on, then DO IT!