Too old to join a Sorority?

[BethanyW]

How weird, my boyfriend's birthday falls during rush week as well. Just thought that was interesting.

[LUgammaphi]

I know for us age is not really a question. We don't normally ask or talk about that at all during recruiment. We may ask what year you are, but there are some girls who are very ahead, and some who are behind. During our spring recruitment we had a girl who was 27 come through. She's amazing and she pledged, and she hangs out with us younger girls just like she is one. It's all in YOUR mentality and how you come across. to me, 22 is NOT that old!

[Miss{BooperDoo}]

Originally Posted by BethanyW

How weird, my boyfriend's birthday falls during rush week as well. Just thought that was interesting.

That is pretty interesting. My bf will be 22 that week. If yours is the same we should definatly talk. LOL

Originally Posted by LUgammaphi

I know for us age is not really a question. We don't normally ask or talk about that at all during recruiment. We may ask what year you are, but there are some girls who are very ahead, and some who are behind. During our spring recruitment we had a girl who was 27 come through. She's amazing and she pledged, and she hangs out with us younger girls just like she is one. It's all in YOUR mentality and how you come across. to me, 22 is NOT that old!

I wondered if it would come up, but I figured they would have that info on me anyhow. Glad to hear that it worked out for someone who wasn't the traditional age to pledge

[AB1120]

Hello out there. This is my first time posting so please help me if I'm doing something wrong. I'll be going to CSUS in the Fall of 07 and I would really like to join a sorority but I feel like I'm too old. I had to wait to return to college and I never got to fullfill my dreams of joining a sorority. I don't want to look stupid trying to join but I feel like if don't try then I'll never know if I could've be a sister. Does anyone have any advice for this lost sole? I also wanted to know about starting a new chapter or sorority on the campus of CSUS. Is anyone tring to start a new chapter and need members or does anyone have any information about starting one out. Someone help your girl out

[Leslie Anne]

Welcome to GC.

It's really hard to know if you're too old without knowing how old you are. Generally it would depend on the campus. I don't imagine Recruitment at CSUS is ultra competitive, but since I didn't go there I'm no authority.

Starting a new group is a huge undertaking. Why not check out what CSUS already has to offer first. There are several sororities already on campus: NPC, NPHC, Multicultural, etc. Take a look:

http://www.csus.edu/studentactivities/clubs_soro.htm

Good luck!

[axidalum]

As others mentioned, Coninuous Open Recruitment may be a good option for you, although you may have to take the initiative on this. It sounds like, on several fronts, it may be a good idea to contact the Panhellenic Recruitment Chair at USA, with a letter of introduction, request for information about formal recruitment and COR, advice about getting recommendations, etc.

Here is prime opportunity for your maturity to come through -- YOU've taken initiative and thought through how to achieve your objective -- skills any chapter would welcome, and you show self confidence, again, score!

In your letter of introduction, paint an honest picture of yourself, while also MANAGING YOUR OWN PRESS! Set the tone for the positives (as others in this thread encouraged) you bring, before others can view them as negatives. Also, ask questions about academics and GPA standings and importance, about philanthropic involvement on the community by the various Sororities, about relationships between Greek life and campus life, administration and the larger town community, about panhellenic involvement and activities and how people get involved, etc. These types of questions show you've researched Greek life, you take it seriously and you want to be involved.

Perhaps you could ask if, when you go for a visit, if you could meet her (Pahel Recruitment) and/or others. Maybe if she might even have any time to give you a tour or to meet you for coffee. Don't be offended if she says "no," and also be clear SHE HAS TO BE NEUTRAL and is NOT the key to a bid.

If you do this, though, and have expressed your interested in COR, you can ask her to make sure the chapters have your name for invites to COR events, and without actually influencing any chapter actual decisions for recruitment, she (at least personally) would be influenced by your committment and could potentially stem any negative tide that might develop from your out-of-state and/or older status. And, hey, now you know a Sorority sister at USA!

For formal (esp.) and even COR, STUDY! Study harder than you even would for exams. KNOW colors and history. KNOW 1-2 famous alums from each group and why you admire them. Turn the questions to the sisters about how proud they must be to have so&so as one of their alums. Are there others they can tell you about?

Good luck.

[Jerz85]

I am a new member and I am going to be 22 this Aug, my girls didn't have a problem with my age. I think that it is more a question of when you are going to be graduating.

[Pike_Cardinal]

I dont know about sororities, but there is a fraternity on this campus that initiated men in their late thirties this year.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by Jerz85

I am a new member and I am going to be 22 this Aug, my girls didn't have a problem with my age. I think that it is more a question of when you are going to be graduating.

And where you go to school.

[Ilaria Ame]

i don't think so at all...one of my line sisters is 29 (!), and we just crossed this semester. it's all about finding an organization you will be comfortable in and that will be comfortable with you.

also, what are you taking at USA? my stepmom is an OT instructor there...just wondering!

[ZTA zetahunny]

Originally Posted by Miss{BooperDoo}

This is my first thread (and first post of anythig...as I've just joined). So work with me if I'm not doing it right I'm transferring down to University of South Alabama next Spring (would be Fall, but my boyfriend is in the military and is going to be home for the first time in a year in August...) and at that time I'll be 22. I waited awhile after highschool to start college, so I'll only be a sophomore when I transfer down there. Do you think 22 is too old to join?

I wouldn't go out of my way to let anyone know my age. I was making the rounds at U.Tenn Martin my soph year, checking on a pledge during study hours. I was her guardian angel so we were sort of close. To my horror, she was making mixed drinks in a blender in her room. I didn't get authoritative because I remember being scolded for goofing off myself during study hours, but I told her we had to clean it up etc, before anyone else came in. She told me she was 22 (I was 18) and in so many words let me know that she could handle it. She was an "A" student, and even represented that particular freshman dorm in the Miss UTM pagent. I don't remember anyone mentioning her age during rush. I do remember she was Banana Queen lol. She ended up being more of a guardian angel to me in the long run. We had so much stupid fun. This brings back so many good memories.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by ZTA zetahunny

I wouldn't go out of my way to let anyone know my age. I was making the rounds at U.Tenn Martin my soph year, checking on a pledge during study hours. I was her guardian angel so we were sort of close. To my horror, she was making mixed drinks in a blender in her room. I didn't get authoritative because I remember being scolded for goofing off myself during study hours, but I told her we had to clean it up etc, before anyone else came in. She told me she was 22 (I was 18) and in so many words let me know that she could handle it. She was an "A" student, and even represented that particular freshman dorm in the Miss UTM pagent. I don't remember anyone mentioning her age during rush. I do remember she was Banana Queen lol. She ended up being more of a guardian angel to me in the long run. We had so much stupid fun. This brings back so many good memories.

Was this the Fulton, Kentucky / South Fulton, Tennessee International Banana Festival?

[Thetagirl218]

Its been said before, but frankly it is all about your campus' culture. One of my pledge sisters was 23, and she was a great asset to our pledge class.

[ZTA zetahunny]

Yes!!!! hahaha Busted.

Originally Posted by TSteven

Was this the Fulton, Kentucky / South Fulton, Tennessee International Banana Festival?

[UWO_2007]

Brooklyn Tia-- I'm right there with you, I'm coming up on 30 and I'm worried sick about fitting in. I will say this... I have met some of the girls in some of the different groups and so far all of them have been really open with me and very understanding..