Alpha Psi Veterinary Fraternity

[alonepear]

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Members do not see this ad.

Here at Mississippi State they are currently trying to recruit us freshman to rush and join the national veterinary fraternity, Alpha Psi. They make it out to be something that will look really good on your resume, and a great way to meet professional contacts, while enjoying the social events planned by the group and giving back to the community.

I had thought about joining, but the presentation they gave us really didn't convince me. The friends I've made in class so far are going to try it out, but I don't want to waste $70 (pledge fee) if I end up getting nothing out of it. My reservations are that it seems like the biggest social events are attendable by people outside of the fraternity, for a small fee. They try to do volunteer/charitable activities, but it looked like last year they only did one thing all year. I do enjoy socializing and attending parties occasionally, but I am definitely not a frequent or heavy partier/drinker, so I don't know if I will stick out in that respect either.

I know this is a national fraternity, so if any of you are in the Alpha Psi chapters at your school, or know about them, would you recommend joining? I am willing to if it will be a positive experience, I just don't want to waste time and money (considering how many clubs I'm already interested in!)

Thanks for any info!

 

[Emio]

hey! we def have an alpha psi, and maybe my classmates can correct me, but i don't think we pay a fee or rush to join. i understood it to be a fraternity that basically is only open to third and fourth years with GPAs of at least 3.5. in other words, i wasn't even considering joining, lol.

actually, tomorrow night is the sort of "welcome back" BBQ that alpha psi puts on every year. supposedly, it's a pretty good party; not sure if it's worth joining the frat over though 😉. they haven't been "recruiting," so maybe i just really don't know what i'm talking about!

good luck deciding!

 

[Bill59]

If you think you'll enjoy the social aspects, give it a try. As far as looking "really good" on your resume, I wouldn't count on that making much difference.

Emio, you may be thinking of Phi Zeta or some other honorary society.

 

[pressmom]

I just joined alpha psi here at UTK. The dues were a lot lower though ($30). I like to go out and parties cost $5 without being a member and I figured I'd go to more than 6 parties of the year, so it was purely mathematical for me. Hopefully it will be fun!

ETA: At my school their service is pretty active--they do pet Meals on Wheels once a month. I chose not to do it though, as I'm on the Josh Project committee for SCAVMA, a class officer and a club officer so far.

 

[jfitzpatri8]

I am a member of Alpha Psi here at MSU.

We are a very active (and very small) chapter. We require 4 visits per semester to the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center (a local horse therapy for underprivileged kids). We have an active social scene, and we focus on getting all large-animal interest students together with the clinicians at the school and from around the state. All of us enjoy a very good relationship with the LAC clinicians (as in they know who we are and invite us down when interesting cases show up).

I personally am involved in the Alpha Psi and AABP committee to put on conferences for Michigan cattle and camelid producers- to allow them to hear lectures from preeminent veterinarians, and to increase the knowledge of what the LAC can offer them as far as services (so that we can see cases while we are in school).

Good luck to you... you can check out my blog on how to decide which clubs to join. It's at: http://jfitzpatri8.studentdoctor.net/2007/08/24/a-few-thoughts-on-club-membership/

Jenn

 

[Emio]

Emio, you may be thinking of Phi Zeta or some other honorary society.

heh, i think that was it. my bad. 😳

 

[Capella]

I'm joining Alpha Psi here at OK-State. They have a lot more community service activities than the other fraternity, and they seem nerdier. 🙂 My undergrad didn't have fraternities, so I figured I'd join one before I lost the chance to do so.

Dues are only $30 though. What is your chapter doing for $70? Sending a dog to the moon or something?

 

[alonepear]

Dues are only $30 though. What is your chapter doing for $70? Sending a dog to the moon or something?

It really makes me wonder! They told us some amount goes to fulfill the national Alpha Psi dues ($20 or $30ish). The rest, I suppose, is for the activities, but there really didn't seem like *that* many activities. The really fun ones, like the Halloween Party and the Spring Formal, are things that any student can attend for a $5 or $10 admission fee anyway.

I opted to not join this year. I don't really have the time right now to "pledge," attending happy hour, garnering signatures from all the pre-existing members, especially when so many academic clubs are piquing my interest more. And they really didn't convince me that it was worth the time and money.

The one thing I was worried about was how they presented it as though being a member of Alpha Psi looks amazing on your future resume, but I have a feeling that it won't ever make or break me =)

Thanks to everyone for the information!

 

[winterfire1203]

At VMRCVM Alpha Psi is a social fraternity. Your dues ($60!) cover the cost of "adult beverages" at outtings and you don't have to pay to get into tail gates. I don't tail gate, and I don't drink, so no thank you. They're hating our class, because we have a strong social structure within ourselves, so most of the people I know are skipping Alpha Psi and just forming they're own outtings 🙂

We do have a social fraternity, but it's something like Omega Tau Sigma

 

[Beagingese]

We have an Alpha Psi branch here as well. Besides it being ridiculously expensive ($80!!!) I don't drink and don't want to give my money to a group that will use it to buy booze for others. Just my thing...

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I'm also at VMRCVM...our Alpha Psi is oddly cultish, with a big fee, initiations, etc.... and basically an excuse to go out, party, drink....I honestly don't think they ever do anything "veterinary".....our service frat is a good deal better. winterfire's 1st year class impressed me with so few of them joinging ha ha...I am probly one of the only second years who refuses to join because, well, I have better things to do than have bbqs and get plastered...

 

[WLdoc]

As a long time member of AY, I can suggest that it was a good decision for me during my professional training. Those members of my class that I maintain contact with after 30 years are mostly AY. Personally, I don't drink (and never have) even as preseident of my local chapter many years ago. Perhaps in today's "connected" atmosphere personal social contacts aren't as necessary, but as "an old guy", I like talking, meeting, interacting face to face. I'm biased but I would strongly consider membership. Good luck !