Greek Life on your resume?

[Smileystar5]

Hello,
So for the past year I"ve been really involved in Greek life on campus. My leadership positions have been huge and really demanding. I'm just worried that some of the interviewers may buy into some stereotypes that don't really apply to my experience at all.

Anyone else have thoughts or just thoughts on how to talk about extracurriculars that aren't directly vet or community service related?

I"m getting myself prepared for interviews 🙂

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[bunnity]

I would focus on any community service or community fundraising your organization did - did you raise money for a cause or do any volunteering together?

I think, like a lot of things, an adcom member could go either way on this. Someone who had been in a frat during college might feel a kinship with you; someone who worked their way through college because they had to might feel that your time was spent frivolously (and of course that depends a lot on how you were actually spending your time in the frat).

I think if you can focus on what your organization has done to help others, even if it is just creating things to do on a small campus, and talk about how it has helped your social skills this could be a positive. Just realize that some people (honesty this would be me) would be a little skeptical that you had spent a lot of time partying and getting red plastic cups all over the sidewalk rather than bettering yourself or your community, so just make sure you can show evidence of hard work and community service in this and other areas of your application to counter that red cup image.

 

[HopefulAg]

I know a guy in vet school who got in largely due to the insane amount of volunteer hours he racked up in his frat. He had all the other stuff as well, but the interviewers commented on being impressed with his fratting.

 

[Smileystar5]

I appreciate your honesty. My campus is really academically driven to say the least... (more fridays/saturdays in the libs than sporting red cups) I probably wouldn't have been Greek on another campus... but I can't except admissions people to know the social climate of my campus specifically.

 

[Ben and Me]

I was in a sorority in college. I put it on my application. I think the fact that you were really involved in your organization would probably be an asset. If an adcom can't see past stupid, largely untrue stereotypes...

 

[shortnsweet]

I agree with Ben and Me. I was also in a sorority in college, and it was a HUGE part of my experience. I held many leadership roles that gave me the skills, I believe, that will help me become a great vet. You get the chance to work with people, be creative, and give back to your community. If you committed yourself to an org, then tell the adcoms about it!!! The bad reps Greeks get will never diminish unless Greeks show people that hazing and drinking is NOT what it is all about. Also...there is the chance your adcom was in your org...networking??? 😉


Edit: Sorry!! This is a topic that gets me fired up...I went to a small college, and we had MANY debates about the experience of Greek Life and how people view us!! I don't mean to offend anyone!!!

 

[natalieises]

I also put my sorority stuff on my application. My undergrad school has the largest greek system in the nation so I'm sure it may get a horrible stereotype for that reason. However, I remember talking about my experiences in an interview. I am a very shy person and being in my sorority really improved my social skills with new people and what not, so I think it's a huge asset in many ways and not just in philanthropy. Just be prepared to spout off all the amazing things being in a greek house did for you so they can see it isn't all about parties. 🙂

 

[THEOSU2012]

Hey There,

Just thought I would chime in here. I'm a 2nd year at The Ohio State University. Don't forget that there are some veterinary fraternities. Here at Ohio we have the best one, Omega Tau Sigma, and then there is Alpha Psi. But I'm biased cause I'm an OTS member. You'd be surprised at how many veterinarians are members of a fraternity in vet school. A lot of the adcoms here and a good number of the faculty, it seems like, were in OTS at one time. I even work at a clinic where three of the five veterinarians where in OTS.

So definetely talk about how you do more than just drink, and talk about the good things you do. Our OTS chapter is all about having fun and doing community good works. So if you can talk about that, you might find you have more kindred spirits than you think.

I hope this helps!

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I am not from the Greek system, but I really don't see why anyone would discriminate against an applicant because of it. The experience is in no way homogenous... I think it all depends whether it is clear how the Greek system contributed to your formation... was it just a social scene (still nothing wrong with that) or an opportunity to network or show leadership? I'd be disappointed and shocked if many Admissions members were that prejudiced...

 

[Nexx]

It's not likely being a member of frat/sorority would be looked down upon, after all you can't get decent grades partying/drinking your nights away. And without the grades there's no chance of vet school.

Therefore if it shows anything it shows that you are committed to academics but also can have a life outside of books.

 

[quantized]

It's not likely being a member of frat/sorority would be looked down upon, after all you can't get decent grades partying/drinking your nights away. And without the grades there's no chance of vet school.

Therefore if it shows anything it shows that you are committed to academics but also can have a life outside of books.

I'd think this to be mostly true. Unless you were in some wild frat like AD at dartmouth, they're going to probably just look at it as something interestig you did. And hell, even if you were in AD, you'd have some excellent stories for the adcoms that you could twist into life learning experiences lol

 

[OtakuVet]

Being Greek, (I'm actually part of a community service co-ed frat), I think it can both speak in your favor and not. It really depends on how you word things. Just like everyone else, I would focus more so on your community service and leadership skills rather just the fact that you were a member because then all they do have to go upon is the possible reputation that it may have.