Should I wait it out?

cherryblossom90 · #1 09-21-2016, 11:05 PM

Hi there!

I've been interested in joining Greek Life for quite some time and was recently invited to a COB event from a chapter on my campus. However, I have plans of transferring to an SEC school next fall. At that point, I will be a junior. Does it make sense to see if I have a chance at joining the chapter at my current school, or just wait until fall of next year and rush at the SEC school to find my home?

FSUZeta · #2 09-22-2016, 06:10 AM

Does the COB sorority have a chapter at the SEC school?

Sciencewoman · #3 09-22-2016, 07:37 AM

Looking at this from all angles, your chances of joining as a junior at a SEC school will probably not be good as a transfer student if you don't know anyone. They would be better if you have good friends/connections in chapters at the new school. Most groups want freshmen because they'll be around for 4 years, and even if there is a separate upperclassmen quota (this is often less than 10 women), you're competing against women the members know and like from clubs and other activities, and transfers they know from home. Chances will also be improved if you have recs, excellent college grades, have been participating in campus activities at your current school, etc.

If you join now and transfer to a school that has a chapter of the sorority, as FSUZeta asked, you could possibly join that chapter as an affiliate (transfer) member. Each sorority has different policies for how this is handled...some chapters vote, some may automatically affiliate you. You'd still be a member for life, but if for some reason the transfer chapter doesn't affiliate you (or any transfer members), you could not be an actively participating member of that undergraduate chapter. You'd be an alumna member.

On the other hand, if the COBing chapter finds out you're transferring in the fall, they would probably not use one of their available bids to offer you membership, because they will want members who will be staying. Each group is capped at the campus total number set by Panhellenic each year/semester, and each group will want to reach that number through COB. They won't want a revolving door of add one, lose one, try to add another to get to total, etc. This is nothing personal, but groups want members who will be participating for several years.

So, there is a lot to consider and your question is a good one to ask. If you're offered a bid and accept it, do some investigating before you actually initiate...is there a chapter at your potential new school? What is the affiliation process?

I transferred and affiliated, and the new chapter had to vote on my affiliation. I didn't know I'd be transferring when I joined...I joined as a freshman and transferred at the beginning of my junior year. I communicated ahead of time with the new chapter and moved right into the house when I transferred.

cherryblossom90 · #4 09-22-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Does the COB sorority have a chapter at the SEC school?

Yes they do!

cherryblossom90 · #5 09-22-2016, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Looking at this from all angles, your chances of joining as a junior at a SEC school will probably not be good as a transfer student if you don't know anyone. They would be better if you have good friends/connections in chapters at the new school. Most groups want freshmen because they'll be around for 4 years, and even if there is a separate upperclassmen quota (this is often less than 10 women), you're competing against women the members know and like from clubs and other activities, and transfers they know from home. Chances will also be improved if you have recs, excellent college grades, have been participating in campus activities at your current school, etc.

If you join now and transfer to a school that has a chapter of the sorority, as FSUZeta asked, you could possibly join that chapter as an affiliate (transfer) member. Each sorority has different policies for how this is handled...some chapters vote, some may automatically affiliate you. You'd still be a member for life, but if for some reason the transfer chapter doesn't affiliate you (or any transfer members), you could not be an actively participating member of that undergraduate chapter. You'd be an alumna member.

On the other hand, if the COBing chapter finds out you're transferring in the fall, they would probably not use of of their available bids to offer you membership, because they will want members who will staying. Each group is capped at the campus total number set by Panhellenic each year/semester, and each group will want to reach that number through COB. They won't want a revolving door of add one, lose one, try to add another to get to total, etc. This is nothing personal, but groups want members who will be participating for several years.

So, there is a lot to consider and your question is a good one to ask. If you're offered a bid and accept it, do some investigating before you actually initiate...is there a chapter at your potential new school? What is the affiliation process?

I transferred and affiliated, and the new chapter had to vote on my affiliation. I didn't know I'd be transferring when I joined...I joined as a freshman and transferred at the beginning of my junior year. I communicated ahead of time with the new chapter and moved right into the house when I transferred.

Wow, thank you for your response. There is a lot to consider and I'll definitely take everything you said into account. How would I find out the affiliation process? How was your transition into the house you transferred to?

DubaiSis · #6 09-22-2016, 09:33 AM

There has been a lot of growth at SEC schools and the new chapters take a few years to get the numbers they want, and therefore they may be more willing to consider you.

But here's a caveat. Many sororities that are strong in the SEC won't automatically accept transfers into the chapter. There would be so many girls who would go to some school where the top chapter at Bama is the worst chapter at that school. Easier to get in. And neither chapter benefits from you gaming the system. So in short, your plan could fail, even after joining and committing for a lifetime.

clemsongirl · #7 09-22-2016, 09:37 AM

Personally, I would go to the COB event and see how it goes. Maybe you don't like the girls or they don't offer you a bid, and then your dilemma is moot. Or maybe you decide not to transfer and then you can still be a member at your current school. However, I would rather join a sorority and have lifetime alumna membership than potentially never join an organization at my new school. Is there a new sorority colonizing at the SEC school? Those are usually more open to upperclassmen or women who are transfer students.

Sciencewoman · #8 09-22-2016, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherryblossom90

Wow, thank you for your response. There is a lot to consider and I'll definitely take everything you said into account. How would I find out the affiliation process? How was your transition into the house you transferred to?

Ask about the affiliation process after you accept a bid from this group, if they offer one. You have a window of time before initiation where, if it turns out the transfer chapter doesn't take affiliates and you're definitely transferring, you could drop and try recruitment afresh at your new campus. You will probably need to contact the transfer chapter and ask what their policy is...even if the national/international sorority has an affiliation process, the specific chapter may not accept affiliates as a rule, due to the reason DubaiSis mentioned. Just realize that if you initiate, you are a life member and you can never join another NPC sorority...and there are no extenuating circumstances that would allow this.

I had a great experience as an affiliate...fit right in with my new sisters. But, your mileage may vary, as chapter vibe and personalities vary. If you get a bid, initiate, and then definitely decide to transfer, and you know they accept affiliates, I would reach out to the new chapter ahead of time and make a friendly overture, visit once or twice, etc.

cherryblossom90 · #9 09-22-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

There has been a lot of growth at SEC schools and the new chapters take a few years to get the numbers they want, and therefore they may be more willing to consider you.

But here's a caveat. Many sororities that are strong in the SEC won't automatically accept transfers into the chapter. There would be so many girls who would go to some school where the top chapter at Bama is the worst chapter at that school. Easier to get in. And neither chapter benefits from you gaming the system. So in short, your plan could fail, even after joining and committing for a lifetime.

From what I understand, the chapter that invited me to COB isn't very good on my campus, but is a good chapter at the SEC school.

cherryblossom90 · #10 09-22-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

Personally, I would go to the COB event and see how it goes. Maybe you don't like the girls or they don't offer you a bid, and then your dilemma is moot. Or maybe you decide not to transfer and then you can still be a member at your current school. However, I would rather join a sorority and have lifetime alumna membership than potentially never join an organization at my new school. Is there a new sorority colonizing at the SEC school? Those are usually more open to upperclassmen or women who are transfer students.

Interesting, thank you

cherryblossom90 · #11 09-22-2016, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Ask about the affiliation process after you accept a bid from this group, if they offer one. You have a window of time before initiation where, if it turns out the transfer chapter doesn't take affiliates and you're definitely transferring, you could drop and try recruitment afresh at your new campus. You will probably need to contact the transfer chapter and ask what their policy is...even if the national/international sorority has an affiliation process, the specific chapter may not accept affiliates as a rule, due to the reason DubaiSis mentioned. Just realize that if you initiate, you are a life member and you can never join another NPC sorority...and there are no extenuating circumstances that would allow this.

I had a great experience as an affiliate...fit right in with my new sisters. But, your mileage may vary, as chapter vibe and personalities vary. If you get a bid, initiate, and then definitely decide to transfer, and you know they accept affiliates, I would reach out to the new chapter ahead of time and make a friendly overture, visit once or twice, etc.

Perfect, I'll keep this all in mind, thank you!!

33girl · #12 09-22-2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherryblossom90

From what I understand, the chapter that invited me to COB isn't very good on my campus, but is a good chapter at the SEC school.

Then the SEC chapter probably wouldn't welcome you anyway, and if they did, you might feel uncomfortable if you liked the chapter at your present school.

If the transfer isn't set in stone, go and see how you like this chapter. It might actually be the thing that makes you have a new perspective on your current school. But if the transfer is set in stone, you owe it to the women of this sorority to let them know. It sounds like they are looking for women to help them strengthen and build and a member who's going to be there less than a year might not be something they need right now.