Will my age hurt me in recruitment?

erikate · #1 03-09-2009, 05:21 PM

I will be graduating high school in a couple months and starting college in the fall. I've always wanted to join a sorority and know a lot about greek life through my mom and grandma, although there sorority isn't at my school. My problem though is that I skipped a grade and I'm already young for my old grade so I'll be 16 until the middle October. Will this hurt me? Most of my friends now are older so I'm used to hanging out with 18 year olds. The school I'm going to doesnt really accept upper classmen into greek life so I don't want to wait until I'm older. Any thoughts?

Thank you

#2 03-09-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikate

I will be graduating high school in a couple months and starting college in the fall. I've always wanted to join a sorority and know a lot about greek life through my mom and grandma, although there sorority isn't at my school. My problem though is that I skipped a grade and I'm already young for my old grade so I'll be 16 until the middle October. Will this hurt me? Most of my friends now are older so I'm used to hanging out with 18 year olds. The school I'm going to doesnt really accept upper classmen into greek life so I don't want to wait until I'm older. Any thoughts?

Thank you

Your situation is not unique. There are lots of PNMs who find themselves in the same boat as you.

Make sure your grades and activities are in order and just go through rush already. It's as simple as that.

KSUViolet06 · #3 03-09-2009, 05:28 PM

I would double check with your Office of Greek Life and be sure that you are eligible to participate in recruitment at your age. You may need parental consent just to register for it.

In terms of whether it will hurt you, it depends on how the indivdual chapters will feel about having a 16 year old new member.

Thetagirl218 · #4 03-09-2009, 06:00 PM

I know of a chapter that recently pledged a 17 year old; it does happen. I would follow up KSUViolet said, check with Greek Life to make sure you can go through recruitment and what papers your parents will need to sign.

IMO, I don't think your age will make it a big deal unless you make it a big deal, but it does depend on the chapter and the campus.

kddani · #5 03-09-2009, 06:38 PM

I can see an underage (as in under 18, not 21) member being a big risk management concern, unless they were emancipated. There's just too many legal and practical issues.

PeppyGPhiB · #6 03-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Many college freshmen in California (most of the ones I knew, actually) are 17. It was never even brought up as an issue at my school. But, be prepared that you won't be able to go to some of the places your sisters will be able to go as 18+.

amanda6035 · #7 03-09-2009, 08:32 PM

My chapter took a 16 year old in Fall 2007. She's finishing up her sophomore year now, and she still wont be 18 until May. The only thing we had to do with her is that her parents had to sign her AXiD membership contract and her Omega contract when she joined.

honeychile · #8 03-09-2009, 09:06 PM

I was 16 when I started college, and when I got my bid. It caused a little drama at the time, because my parents had to sign off on some things, but nothing major.

If you're used to being with older people now (as you are, since you've skipped a grade), then you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't recommend advertising your age, but I wouldn't lie about it, either. If asked, just say your age, mention that you've been ahead for years, and that you're more used to women their age than your own.

PM me if you have any special questions.

#9 03-09-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

I was 16 when I started college, and when I got my bid. It caused a little drama at the time, because my parents had to sign off on some things, but nothing major.

If you're used to being with older people now (as you are, since you've skipped a grade), then you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't recommend advertising your age, but I wouldn't lie about it, either. If asked, just say your age, mention that you've been ahead for years, and that you're more used to women their age than your own.

PM me if you have any special questions.

I was gonna say "honeychile was 16 when she started college..." but I knew you'd pop in here yourself.

honeychile · #10 03-09-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

I was gonna say "honeychile was 16 when she started college..." but I knew you'd pop in here yourself.

LOL! I thought of digging up my recruitment thread but thought it was too outdated anyhow.

APhiAnna · #11 03-09-2009, 10:08 PM

To be honest, especially if you are at a larger school, it may not even register with the actives. I know we never checked age...they may see a freshman as a freshman, and only worry about age for upperclassmen.

I know of a girl who was 16 who got a bid at a "top tier" chapter at a school with a pretty competitive recruitment...they didn't even realize during recruitment she was so young. I believe she turned 17 very soon after the start of college, but she was 16 during recruitment for sure.

ZTA72 · #12 03-09-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

LOL! I thought of digging up my recruitment thread but thought it was too outdated anyhow.

16 and in college, sounds like a story I'd like to hear!

MaggieXi · #13 03-10-2009, 09:10 AM

We had a PNM who went through recruitment when she was 17. Her parents had to sign off on some docs to let her go through and I believe when she was initiated into AXiD her parents had to consent to some things as well (I'm thinking financial things). It does happen, but be sure to check with your greek life office.

drgnlady · #14 03-10-2009, 09:50 AM

My daughter was 17 during rush this past fall and it never even occurred to us to worry about her age. It was never an issue.

AZ-AlphaXi · #15 03-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Long ago and far far away .. when I rushed (yes I'm so old it was rush) .. I had just turned 17 ... it was never an issue and we never even thought about it.

there were circumstances that led to about 10 of us skipping our Junior year in high school and there were 6 of us who went thru rush that fall .. all of us 17.