Advice Needed

[GArunnergirl]

Greetings all! I am asking for some advice on two issues, and I will certainly appreciate any offered (including brutally candid advice). Since I first got interested in possibly going through recruitment last year, I looked at this website, and I joined so I could get some feedback. Please bear with me.

I will be a freshman this fall at a large SEC School. Neither of my parents was involved in Greek life in college (dad was enlisted in Army, then went to college on GI bill and then was commissioned as an officer, mom went to nursing school). I have an aunt on dad's side who was Greek (who has helped me out so far with advice and getting recs, but who is VERY VERY pro-recruitment, and we are not super close) and one cousin (mom's side) who is currently in a sorority at the university I will attend.

My aunt helped explain the need for recommendations and helped me get recs to almost all of the houses at UGA, and she is going to help me assemble my "recruitment wardrobe" prior to the start of recruitment (assuming I do go through recruitment).


The good news is that I got a full ROTC scholarship. This would free up "college money" we have saved for tuition and other expenses to pay for sorority expenses if I were to join. My parents don't have a problem with me joining a sorority as long as it does not interfere with academics or ROTC. My dad previously worked for a female general officer who he really respected.

I have only had one "up-close" encounter with the Greek system in question. Last year I was there for an academic competition and after we were eliminated, I was able to meet up with my cousin (sophomore at the time). She took me and a girl from my team (the only other girl on our team) to get something to eat, and we went by her sorority house. I was initially intimidated by the size of the house, but the members we met there were very friendly, down-to-earth, pretty, and funny. At that point, I was still very focused on USAFA, so I really wasn't picuring myself joining a sorority, but meeting them left a really positive image. (Note: This summer I found "Greekrank.com," and I read some comments about my cousin's sorority that were awful, calling them "awkward," "lower tier" and "rejects" but it seemed there was something bad about every sorority listed, so I don't give that web site any credence.) Meeting the members of my cousin's house was a strong factor in deciding to go through recruitment this fall.

Here is my first question: Will I be able to balance the commitments of ROTC with sorority obligations (assuming I am asked to join)? My aunt says this should not be a problem because I would be excused from sorority meetings and attendence at events if I had a school-related conflict. I am sort of reluctant to discuss this with my cousin (we are friendly, but not super close, and I don't want it to be an awkward conversation for her). It is my understanding that most of the ROTC functions occur early in the morning or on weekends. In high school I managed to balance a number of activities with school, but I know college life will be much more challenging.

Second question: At this point I plan on trying to apply again to USAFA for next year's starting class (they do give some appointments each year to ROTC students and enlisted personnel, though you have to start over as a freshman, even if you have completed a semester in college). I know my odds aren't good, but I feel I need to give it one last shot. Here is the question: If I join a sorority and then transfer at the end of my freshman year at UGA to USAFA, would I then be an alumni of the sorority, even though I did not graduate as a member of the chapter? I think this is the case. I asked my aunt, but she didn't really answer the question ("Oh, you won't WANT to transfer after your freshman year!"). From looking at this website, I know being an alumni is a big part of being in a sorority. If I were able to get a slot at USAFA, I would transfer.

OK, I rambled quite a bit there. But I would really appreciate candid feedback. I know it is definitely NOT a given that I will get asked to join a sorority, but I don't want to waste everyone's time if it is an obligation I cannot fufill because of ROTC commitments. In the event I do get selected for USAFA (and I had joined a sorority) I would want to know I would be an alumni.

Sorry for the long post.