<p>I'm a sophomore, and I'm currently applying to an early acceptance medical school program (well I'm almost done since the deadline is midnight tonight haha), and we have to include a resume/CV. </p>
<p>I'm currently a pledge for a fraternity (just began pledge process less than a week ago). I was wondering if it is advisable/acceptable to list the fraternity on my resume if I also include a note underneath saying that I am a pledge. To me, it doesn't seem right because it is using the fraternity's letters without actually being a full brother. But having a fraternity on the resume can definitely look good.</p>
<p>So basically, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>As you’re only a pledge, I would not include it at this point. I say this as a proud fraternity alumnus and frequent advice giver for pre-meds. </p>
<p>Quite simply you’ve only been there a week. </p>
<p>From a fraternity standpoint, you’re merely a guest in their presence at this point and must still prove your worth to the organization. Getting a bid may have seemed like a big step forward, but taking membership for granted at any point in your pledge period would be a mistake. As you correctly state, you’re “using” the letters, and at this point, they’re meaningless to you. It would be rather improper.</p>
<p>From a premed standpoint, you haven’t done anything. It’s not an accomplishment or noteworthy in any sense. In fact, unless you end up holding leadership positions in the chapter I wouldn’t include membership later on. You can add it to your CV later if you end up with a title (even if it’s just a small one). The other option (again, later on) is to include the fraternity under a section titled something like “Personal and Professional Affiliations” where you can list memberships in which you’ve done little of note. For example, as I prepare my CV for fellowship applications, I might include my AMA membership there, but it wouldn’t garner a full line under “Experiences” as I’ve not done anything for the organization other than pay dues.</p>
<p>I was previously a member of a sorority. I held a good-sized leadership position (in charge of our philanthropy events, under the charge of one of the vice presidents) with my chapter and have done tons of leadership stuff with greek life in general. I chose to list it on my CV under leadership experiences as Panhellenic Association–then briefly explained each of my positions, including the one with my chapter, without naming my chapter.</p>
<p>I don’t know what greek life’s like at your school, but at mine it can get pretty cutthroat and has lots of (sometimes incorrect) stereotypes associated with each chapter. I did not want to give myself any advantage or disadvantage by associating with a particular chapter. And in the end, the leadership was the important part–not the letters. Apologies for the cliche!</p>
<p>D. has put her leadership position, she was on exec. board and went to national conv. representing her sorority.</p>