I want to be in a sorority!!?

Question

I want to join a sorority at my school. I have read all their history and hazing laws. I am scared that when I pledge they will try to do something to hurt me or put me through something that I am not expecting. I really want to be a part of this sorority. It has been my dream since I was about 9. What do I do?

Answer 1

The process of joining a fraternity or sorority commonly begins with "rushing", or "recruitment." The term "rush" refers to the historical practice where students would hurry to join fraternities at the beginning of the school year, in a large part to find housing. "Rush" is usually followed by "pledging," or committing. Many fraternities and sororities have forgone the term pledge as part of their education process due to the negative association made by many people in the United States, and some organizations have completely eliminated both the term and process.

Recruitment may be done formally or informally. A traditional "formal recruitment" often consists of a period known as "Rush Week," or simply "Rush." Fraternities and sororities invite fellow students (often referred to as "potential new members" or "rushees") to attend events to meet current active members and learn about their organizations. Some prospective members may be referred to as "legacy:" someone who is related to another member of the organization. The formal rush week(s) may have limits imposed restricting the duration of contact between interested students and active members to ensure broad exposure, such as length and type of event or alcohol restrictions.

At the end of the formal recruitment period, the various organizations invite the visitors of their choice to "pledge" the fraternity or sorority. If the invitation, or "bid", is accepted, the student will be admitted to the house as a pledge until they are initiated as full members. A student may pledge only one fraternity or sorority at a time, and generally is not allowed to be initiated into more than one organization. This restriction usually only applies to other social fraternities and sororities, and does not bar a member from being a member or later joining professional, service, or honorary organizations.

"Informal recruitment," as the name suggests, is much less structured. New members are introduced to the fraternity's members and activities through friends and everyday behavior. Many campuses may have formal recruitment periods and also allow informal recruitment after the formal period ends.

"Deferred recruitment" refers to systems where students must have at least one semester's experience on campus before joining. This system is preferred by some campuses for the benefit of the potential members -- by making sure the "rushees" have adjusted to the university environment before becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority, they are shown to have higher academic success rates and post-school job placement.

Requirements may be imposed on those wishing to pledge either by the school or the organization itself, including a minimum grade point average, wearing a pledge or new member pin, learning about the history and structure of the fraternity or sorority, nicknaming each other, or performing public service. The pledgeship period also serves as a probationary period in the fraternity or sorority membership process where both the organization and the pledge decide they are compatible and will have a fulfilling experience. Upon completion of the pledgeship and all its requirements, the active members will invite the pledges to be initiated and become full members. Initiation often includes secret ceremonies and rituals.
So you can go for it, listen to your heart and it will give you a right path.

Answer 2

If you are too scared to just get it over with then you will never have the satisfaction of being part of the sorority or the fun times. Think real hard about the pros and cons. If this has really been your dream since age 9 you wouldn't let anything stop you. They aren't going to kill you. I say go for it, take the mystery as a thrill. It will be over with in a little while and you will have many fun times to override whatever you had to do to get there.

Answer 3

The fact is that you THINK you want to be part of a sorority, and in most places, that is a reasonable desire. Most sororities aren't going to do anything horrible to you, and they provide you with a set of female friends opportunities for philanthropic activities, etc. But if the school where you go has sororities which engage in hurting pledges, you really don't want to be a part of that at all. Realize that you want to be a part of the ideal; if something else occurs, run! There are plenty of other thing to do in college, and you don't need that at all.

Answer 4

Don't be afraid to join a sorority because you are scared of hazing....most sororities do NOT haze! If it's a good sorority...they won't....and if anyone does any hazing then you don't have to join and then report it to your university!

Answer 5

Where's your support system? You're asking the wrong folks. If there's a sorority that you like, then get involved. Speak with those that are in the sorority that are older, like teachers, aunts or cousins.

Answer 6

Why would you want to be apart of something that may possibly torture you into joining? I respect sororities but I'm not going to act like a retard or be disrespected to prove my loyalty.