<p>I'm a sophomore at Penn who just transferred here this fall. I didn't join many activities this past semester because I was still getting acclimated to the academic rigor at Penn. However, I really want to get involved in the spring. I've been thinking that I might like to join a sorority. However, I heard that informal rush for upperclassmen occurred in the fall. Even though I'm a sophomore can I still rush in the spring? Also, does anyone know what sororities at Penn are like? I transferred here from a large state university where greek like was very intense. Is it very intense at Penn or is it something that most people can balance well with schoolwork and other activities? Also, I've made a lot of non-greek friends here at Penn. I'm worried that by joining a sorority I may not be able to spend as much time with them. I'm not a big partier. I'm more interested in the community service and sisterhood aspects of sororities. I'd really appreciate any advice on this topic. Thanks!</p>
<p>Spring sorority rush is open to both freshmen and sophomores to the best of my knowledge. It may depend on the sorority. Did you sign up for rush? The deadline is Jan 11th.</p>
<p>You can definitely balance a sorority with schoolwork, though be sure to stay focused even throughout rush/pledging. There are definitely sororities you can get involved with that are more focused on community service and sisterhood. Alpha Chi Omega does a lot of community service. Also bear in mine that there are several fraternities on campus that have female pledges - including St. Elmos and PiLam.</p>
<p>If you are not feeling the greek scene, there are upperclassmen residential programs that you might consider joining. The Franklin Community in Harnwell, for instance, is a residential community that is formed around community service. Those applications are due soon, too.</p>
<p>Sorority pledging/membership is definitely not too intense.</p>
<p>It definitely doesn’t create a division between friends who aren’t in a sorority or are in different houses. I’m living with 7 other girls: four in different sororities, four independent. </p>
<p>Let me know if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses! I was also wondering how much of a commitment the sorority is once you’ve joined. Do you have to go to every social event or can you pick and choose? I want to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with my academics and other activities. Also, how competitive is bidding? If I’m not picky about what sorority I join, will I most likely get a bid? Thanks again for the help.</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>If you are at least close to a normal human being (i.e. if you have friends at school), it shouldn’t be any problem getting a bid to a sorority, and once you’re in, you can choose your level of commitment. Some of my friends are VERY involved, others just go to chapter meetings and the semi-formals!</p>
<p>I agree with chrisw!</p>
<p>The only girls I know who didn’t get bids were those focused solely on one house.</p>
<p>JW, How often are chapter meetings??</p>
<p>Anon<em>Person</em>1: I was wondering the same thing.
Also, thanks for the responses everyone! They’ve been very helpful.</p>
<p>The overwhelming majority of Greek organizations have weekly chapter meetings. I don’t know how long sororities’ meetings last, but fraternities’ meetings are usually an hour or so.</p>
<p>It’s actually not that easy to get a bid as a sophomore in a sorority…they generally only take a couple sophs per spring pledge class (they prefer taking someone who will contribute/pay dues 3.5 years instead of 2.5 years). having said that, it’s DEFINITELY worth rushing to meet people, i just wanted you to have a realistic view of the numbers.</p>
<p>I didn’t realize it was so difficult for sophomores to get bids. I wasn’t at Penn last year so naturally I couldn’t rush for a sorority. Do they try to get most girls who rush a bid though?</p>
<p>Yes, they want everyone who wants a bid to get a bid. but the reality is that there aren’t quite enough spaces and many girls drop out when they get cut from the house they think they want (i dont recommend this). i suppose you could fall rush as a junior if you dont get what you want, but your chances would be slim, and spring rush as a junior is pointless. for that reason i say take whatever bid you get, try it out for a few weeks, and you can always de-pledge if you absolutely hate it.</p>
<p>You definitely still have a chance as a transfer though. It’s really tough for sophomores who didn’t rush or dropped out the year before.</p>
<p>So I still have a chance of getting a bid, but not necessarily the bid that I want?</p>
<p>I was wondering, sorry a little out of topic, how accepted are hispanics and blacks in the frat scene?</p>