I was just wondering about some of the advantages or disadvantages of joining a Grad chapter. What things are different from the undergrad experience versus the graduate experience? I know that people who join Grad also make friends and are involved even more than undergrad, but what would a graduate person miss out on if they didn't pledge undergrad. Anyway, just curious about what your take is on this.
I wouldn't say that because you join through a graduate chapter that you're more involved than one who joined in undergrad. I've seen quite a few graduate members join and never be seen or heard from again, they only wanted the letters to add to their resume.
The college campus (Undergraduate) is just a microcosm of the real world (Graduate). Undergrad and grad are pretty much the same, just on different scales. So there aren't many differences.
Joining grad you'll miss out on more road trips. Undergraduates will road trip in a heartbeat....provided they have a car and gas. lol Graduates focus more on their family and career and have less time to go to a coming out show, step show or "just hangout" on someone else's yard an hour or so away.
Joining grad you miss out on leading and following at the same time. Undergraduates are the leaders of their chapters but they are following the guidance of their Graduate advisor at the same time. If you do something wrong, students are more forgiving than folk in the real world.
Joining grad you miss out on building your entrepreneurial foundation. If you need money as an undergrad, throw a party, have a donut sale, have a pageant, etc. In graduate chapters, you more so seek corporate sponsorships for your events/funding.
Joining grad you miss out on getting to know most of the members in your chapter. Undergrads see each other almost every day. You never know when you'll see your fellow grad members outside of chapter meetings.
I hope that helps.
Joining grad you'll miss out on more road trips. Undergraduates will road trip in a heartbeat....provided they have a car and gas. lol Graduates focus more on their family and career and have less time to go to a coming out show, step show or "just hangout" on someone else's yard an hour or so away.
Joining grad you miss out on leading and following at the same time. Undergraduates are the leaders of their chapters but they are following the guidance of their Graduate advisor at the same time. If you do something wrong, students are more forgiving than folk in the real world.
Joining grad you miss out on building your entrepreneurial foundation. If you need money as an undergrad, throw a party, have a donut sale, have a pageant, etc. In graduate chapters, you more so seek corporate sponsorships for your events/funding.
Joining grad you miss out on getting to know most of the members in your chapter. Undergrads see each other almost every day. You never know when you'll see your fellow grad members outside of chapter meetings.
I hope that helps.
So, let me give my prospective. lol!
I agree C, you do have Alumni/nae members that are never heard from AFTER they cross.. but let me say the SAME is true for those who cross undergrad. Membership is a LIFETIME committment and service through your organization doesn't stop when you graduate. Too often those who cross undergard miss the link of continuing service via their graduate chapter. A true testiment is ANY member (whether they crossed undergrad or grad) who has REMAINED active and FINANCIAL with their organization throughout their membership.
That is what is key and important...
Now, on to the list of things you said folks "miss" out on by crossing grad....
1) Joining grad you'll miss out on more road trips. Uhh, not true... LOL! Although, some folks who join through grad are older, that doesn't mean everyone is 40+ with kids and a spouse. Plenty of younguns go grad... due to VARIOUS circumstances. So, please know that's a myth
2)Joining grad you miss out on building your entrepreneurial foundation. I don't know where you got that one from. LOL! Again, it ain't completely true. I mean, undergrads can search for corporate sponserships too. And believe that some grad chapters DO throw parties to fundraise etc. I can't speak for all orgs or even chapters for that matter, but I can sy that this statement is not completely.
3) Joining grad you miss out on leading and following at the same time. Again, I have to disagree... I can't tell you how much there is to learn and teach on the grad level. Working in committees in your org is key. Trust me, you WON'T miss out on this in grad.
4)Joining grad you miss out on getting to know most of the members in your chapter. I must admit, this one is the FUNNIEST to me.
Not sure where you got that one, but again, I can only speak for my org/ chapter... Again, I TOTALLY disagree.
Bottom line, memberships is what YOU make it regardless of where you cross. There are certain differences on BOTH fronts, but the walk from one person could be TOTALLY different than another, whether grad or undergrad.
The points I made weren't meant to be as cut and dry as you make them to be. Any of them, as you have so eloquently done, can be argued. I don't disagree with anything you have said. I could just as easily provide a rebuttal to your statements but I'm not seeking to put anyone on the defensive.
Care to share the differences you see in joining undergraduate versus graduate?
The points I made weren't meant to be as cut and dry as you make them to be. Any of them, as you have so eloquently done, can be argued. I don't disagree with anything you have said. I could just as easily provide a rebuttal to your statements but I'm not seeking to put anyone on the defensive.
Care to share the differences you see in joining undergraduate versus graduate?
Well, you stated them my friend... I'm just clarifying... lol
I don't want anyone to think it's that way. Because it's certainly not. I'm certainly not defensive and still love ya like a play cousin, but you know folks can read what they want if you make it sound cut and dry. We need greeks AND non greeks to know the truth. I'd never want grad to be seen as the "alternative" that's not worth it. The same way I wouldn't want undergrad to seem like the "alternative" that's not worth it
I'd love to have a friendly convo with you about it, but not too sure a public forum is where I feel most comfortable.
BTW, I've finally made may way to THE YARD.
Thanks you guys for sharing your opinions. I wonder why many undergrads don't continue on with Graduate? I know people might disagree with this statement, but I've heard that when you go to the Graduate level that is when things become more serious. I guess it becomes more serious on the philanthropy side of the organization. I do have to agree with FAMU Dva (sorry if I mispelled) on the statement that Graduate members get to know their members about as well as undergrad. Some graduate members form a closer bond with their members. Also, they are able to travel and do all sorts of things because they are probably more financially able to do so, than they were undergrad.
Not sure where you got that one, but again, I can only speak for my org/ chapter... Again, I TOTALLY disagree. 
