Pharmacy Fraternities

[laura_mideon]

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Hello,

There are 2 co-ed professional pharmacy fraternities at my school and I am undecided about joining one. Do any of you have any experience with pharmacy fraternities, and if so, what do you see as the benefits of joining one? Obviously they are not like regular college fraternities but I was just wondering what it's like to be in a pharmacy fraternity.

Thanks for your input 😀

 

[DownonthePharm]

I think it would be a positive way to get contacts, know your classmates in a different setting, perform service activities, etc. 😀

 

[laura_mideon]

I think it would be a positive way to get contacts, know your classmates in a different setting, perform service activities, etc. 😀

That's true, I am interested in it for alot of the activities, but also I don't want it to be ANOTHER commitment because there's already so many in 1st year, and they talk about lunch time lectures and stuff that sound a bit more like a task then fun..

 

[lord999]

Oh, congratulations on your admission! We haven't heard from you in while.

Fraternities are a double-edged sword. They can get in you the door when a fellow brother runs the shop, but unfortunately, they can prevent you from getting into a door if they recognize you as a rival fraternity.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I see a pretty even number of PDX and KP/KE around the nation. However, certain geographic regions are in control of certain fraternities. For example, Chicago is heavily PDX.

Now, if you're a qualifed candidate, there generally isn't discrimination against a nonfraternity member. However, fraternity members have just this one slight advantage when they are hiring into a competitive position (like a residency). Walgreens, RiteAid, and CVS idea of competitive hiring is making sure you have a piece of paper called a license and a pulse.

 

[SomeGuy]

When I hear "lunch time" lecture, as provided by a club/faculty, I think of free food and an interesting topic with Q&A afterwards. At least, all of the faculty seminars and club lectures I've gone to seem to be that way. Look into it.

 

[Superflyjsc]

there is basically 2 main reasons why i would join pharmacy frats.
1. Meet new people
2. Get old exams

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

May I suggest Kappa Psi!?!?!

 

[ultracet]

ok...
i have a little bit of experience in this area....

I am currently a 4th year and have noticed some benefits that others may not realize just yet.

Yes its a great way to meet people in your class... you will meet your classmates anyway....
Yes a lot of frats have test files... You can probably still get those as long as you hang with the right group with a connection to the year ahead of you.

One of my favorite parts of being in a fraternity is the connections i have. For example... We were up for reaccreditation this spring. I was asked by my class prez to be one of the people they spoke with because i am extremely involved. when they asked why we were there i told them what i was involved in. It turns out that one of the accreditation counsel is a brother. we spoke for a while after the meeting. he didn't speak to any other students.

i am currently packing for our national meeting that is in pittsburgh on tuesday. i'm very excited about it. at the national meetings we have at least equal pharmacists to students if not more graduates. we have CE programs so that is not an issue as well as spouse and children programs. the week is sure to be a good time and everyone already has something in common. every time i see someone i meet from the national meeting somewhere else we are old friends.

this holds true for brothers attending other organizational national meetings. we have booths, lunches, or dinners at the majority of national meetings of pharmacists. i have a whole separate group to hang out with when i go places.

i am also involved on the regional level. we have regional meetings 2 times a year. i know a lot of brothers in the region very very well. i also know that if i need a favor or some information i can make a phone call and have all the info i need on a school. this is going to be very helpful as i work on my research because i can just call each school chapter and ask that they hand out my survey. i'm sure the faculty members will be more than happy to help as well.

As far as time management goes... My chapter requires study hours with peers and upperclassmen... (1/week so its not a huge committment) where pledges can gain assistance on anything they don't understand.
we know that you are there to be a pharmacist and nothing else... after all so are we!

Every chapter will be a little different for every frat. They mold to their student population.

One poster suggested that because you were a member of a rival frat you were looked down upon. That has not been my experience. I have spoken with many pharmacists who were in our rival frat who just start talking about what a great experience being in a frat was and how they used to be huge rivals.


All that nice unbiased information shared....

go with Kappa Psi... after all... it is the oldest and largest pharmaceutical fraternity 😉
/end shameless plug

 

[ultracet]

May I suggest Kappa Psi!?!?!

ahhh beat me to it

 

[BMBiology]

I think it really comes down to visibility. People who are successful are more visible on campus. I know very successful people who are in frats but I also know very successful people who are not. However, the people who are in frats do have an advantage because they have a support system. This just means you have to work just a little harder to become just as successful but I think at the end of the day, knowing that you accomplished something based of your own hard work and own merits really bring some satisfaction.

 

[museabuse]

Speaking of fraternities... Why is the initiation such a secret, what happens if you tell people what the initiation was? WHat is the big deal? Especially a professional faternity...

 

[ultracet]

Speaking of fraternities... Why is the initiation such a secret, what happens if you tell people what the initiation was? WHat is the big deal? Especially a professional faternity...

without traditions what makes you any different than ASP?

Fraternities ARE different than clubs on campus

 

[kristakoch]

Actually my school in the Chicago area (CCP) is heavily KY!!! The KY chapter is much, much larger than the PDX chapter is.

But at our school, KY and PDX do mix a lot. Case in point - I was regent of KY and have been dating a PDX for some time now (just so happens that PDX was very male heavy for a while) 🙂

Oh, congratulations on your admission! We haven't heard from you in while.

Fraternities are a double-edged sword. They can get in you the door when a fellow brother runs the shop, but unfortunately, they can prevent you from getting into a door if they recognize you as a rival fraternity.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I see a pretty even number of PDX and KP/KE around the nation. However, certain geographic regions are in control of certain fraternities. For example, Chicago is heavily PDX.

Now, if you're a qualifed candidate, there generally isn't discrimination against a nonfraternity member. However, fraternity members have just this one slight advantage when they are hiring into a competitive position (like a residency). Walgreens, RiteAid, and CVS idea of competitive hiring is making sure you have a piece of paper called a license and a pulse.

 

[laura_mideon]

All that nice unbiased information shared....

go with Kappa Psi... after all... it is the oldest and largest pharmaceutical fraternity 😉
/end shameless plug

It is? I was leaning towards Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS), only because I can't find information on Kappa Psi's UBC chapter so I assumed it was just a small fraternity or something, I will look into that more.
Do you have to decide right away, or can you join anytime throughout the year?
Do any of you have any info on LKS?
Thanks for all the great information!!

 

[laura_mideon]

Oh, congratulations on your admission! We haven't heard from you in while.

Thank you! And yah, I've been in hiding for a bit cuz I am taking 2 chemistry classes and a condensed cell bio course.....not a fun way to spend my summer!!........... 🙄

 

[nsxiboi]

It is? I was leaning towards Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS), only because I can't find information on Kappa Psi's UBC chapter so I assumed it was just a small fraternity or something, I will look into that more.
Do you have to decide right away, or can you join anytime throughout the year?
Do any of you have any info on LKS?
Thanks for all the great information!!

Phi Delta Chi
Leaders in Pharmacy Brothers for Life
It's a great fraternity.

 

[nsxiboi]

It is? I was leaning towards Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS), only because I can't find information on Kappa Psi's UBC chapter so I assumed it was just a small fraternity or something, I will look into that more.
Do you have to decide right away, or can you join anytime throughout the year?
Do any of you have any info on LKS?
Thanks for all the great information!!

Phi Delta Chi
Leaders in Pharmacy Brothers for Life
It's a great fraternity.

 

[ultracet]

Phi Delta Chi
Leaders in Pharmacy Brothers for Life
It's a great fraternity.

PDCs are just tools who double post.... 😉

 

[ultracet]

It is? I was leaning towards Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS), only because I can't find information on Kappa Psi's UBC chapter so I assumed it was just a small fraternity or something, I will look into that more.
Do you have to decide right away, or can you join anytime throughout the year?
Do any of you have any info on LKS?
Thanks for all the great information!!

Holy hell this is the 4th time I’ve tried to post this same stupid reply……

Ok anyway….

Yes kappa psi is the oldest and largest pharm frat… they started out all male and transitioned to co-ed. Their website is www.kappa-psi.org. a lot of the stuff is password protected to avoid spambots so if there is something you would like to know just PM me

As far as LKS goes… my mom was a sister but we no longer have a chapter at my school so I don’t know anything about them. I believe they are all female but again I could be completely wrong. Their website is www.lks.org

On the pledging topic… Each chapter is different. Rush will be either in the fall or spring and it will occur every year. Here you can pledge as long as you have 1 year left prior to graduation. We try to encourage everyone to pledge either their 1st or 2nd year because we think it is the best way. I will say that I think you will get more out of the frat/sorority if you pledge your 1st year. You will be closer to your pledge class and I believe benefit more from the experience.

By UBC I assume you mean Univ of British Colombia. Their chapter advisor is Dr. Wasan. Their Regent (prez) is Naomi and their chapter email is deltamu (at) kappa-psi (dot) org

If there is anything else you need just ask! I’m sure someone else on here can help you out with LKS though it does appear that we have a couple of KY brothers hogging the thread!

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

LKS (Lambda Kappa Sigma) is a woman's leadership fraternity that focuses on the promotion of women within the field of Pharmacy. I’ve recently heard they do admit men…

 

[laura_mideon]

If there is anything else you need just ask!

Wow, thanks I will.....I have just browsed through the sites and I still need to gather more info before I make a decision....I don't know anyone else in my program at all so I think I for sure will join one....I just have to pick now.

Yah, that one site kept asking for passwords, I just wanted to see if there was any discussion about UBC's chapter on there (yup..univ. of british columbia)...

Usually do you see fraternity reps during orientation week? Or do we have to go to them? If they'll be around at the beginning then I can make my decision based on what they tell me and which fraternity seems friendlier...more organized....etc....

 

[laura_mideon]

Sorry If I become another double posting tool but it didn't work the first time

---------

If there is anything else you need just ask!

Wow, thanks I will.....I have just browsed through the sites and I still need to gather more info before I make a decision....I don't know anyone else in my program at all so I think I for sure will join one....I just have to pick now.

Yah, that one site kept asking for passwords, I just wanted to see if there was any discussion about UBC's chapter on there (yup..univ. of british columbia)...

Usually do you see fraternity reps during orientation week? Or do we have to go to them? If they'll be around at the beginning then I can make my decision based on what they tell me and which fraternity seems friendlier...more organized....etc....

 

[laura_mideon]

dammit....it came up twice....that settles it....I'll join PCD with the other double posters..... 😛

 

[ultracet]

dammit....it came up twice....that settles it....I'll join PCD with the other double posters..... 😛

haha
its all good.... the forum has been acting up for me too

 

[nsxiboi]

haha
its all good.... the forum has been acting up for me too

Fraternities are a great way to meet new people. Brothers are there for you whenever you are in need.
You get what you put in. A good bro will support the fraternity and helps his fellow brothers.

 

[laura_mideon]

Fraternities are a great way to meet new people. Brothers are there for you whenever you are in need.
You get what you put in. A good bro will support the fraternity and helps his fellow brothers.

Just out of curiosity, why are they called fraternities and brothers if they are co-ed? Do you call girls sisters?

 

[ultracet]

Just out of curiosity, why are they called fraternities and brothers if they are co-ed? Do you call girls sisters?

ok the word fraternity has nothing to do with gender..... there are some undergrad sororities who are technically called fraternities because of when they are founded.

the reason kappa psi is a fraternity is because it started out all male.... i bet that is the same with PDC too (just thinking about how many women were in the field upon founding). there are pharmaceutical sororities... and i believe that some of them are co ed too......

it is all based on founding


and no... as weird as it may be.... i am a brother.... i would never ask them to break tradition like that even though we think of brothers as being boys

 

[laura_mideon]

ok the word fraternity has nothing to do with gender..... there are some undergrad sororities who are technically called fraternities because of when they are founded.

the reason kappa psi is a fraternity is because it started out all male.... i bet that is the same with PDC too (just thinking about how many women were in the field upon founding). there are pharmaceutical sororities... and i believe that some of them are co ed too......

it is all based on founding


and no... as weird as it may be.... i am a brother.... i would never ask them to break tradition like that even though we think of brothers as being boys

That's kinda cool, but everytime I say "brother" I am gonna be reminded of hulk hogan..."I WAS THERE BROTHER!!!"

 

[crest29]

hi!
this was an interesting read for me because I too have been debating whether or not to join a fraternity come this fall when i start pharm school. i am really unfamiliar to the process to become a "brother". can someone clue me in on it please? thanks!

p.s, i've been reading this book : Pledged: the secret life of sororities, please tell me, its not like that book...

thanks all

 

[LBS615]

hi!
this was an interesting read for me because I too have been debating whether or not to join a fraternity come this fall when i start pharm school. i am really unfamiliar to the process to become a "brother". can someone clue me in on it please? thanks!

p.s, i've been reading this book : Pledged: the secret life of sororities, please tell me, its not like that book...

thanks all

I read that book when I was younger. No not all sororities are like that. I was in a sorority undergrad as well as an honor fraternity and they were not like that book at all.

I don't think I will join a fraternity because I have already done the whole sorority thing. Plus I need to work while in school, as well as I want a full outside life with time for my boyfriend and friends. I am going to do APhA and be active in that.

 

[laura_mideon]

I am going to do APhA and be active in that.

What's APhA?

 

[kristakoch]

What's APhA?

American Pharmacist Association.

 

[SigPi]

I have a funny story about pharmacy frats: My first week in pharmacy school these two girls were talking about going to the "huge KY party". Not knowing that professional schools actually had frats, and that "KY" could be the letters of one, I was so pumped about this upcoming party (especially because the two girls were smokin hot 😀 )! But to my dismay, there was no KY present....well, except for those weird professional "co-ed" brothers. 😡 Oh well, guess I'll stick with the real deal: SIGMA PI!

 

[ultracet]

i flipped through that book in a bookstore one day.... i was in an undergrad sorority as well.....

my sorority was mentioned in the book but my experience was nothing like that at all....


i've always wondered.... what made you buy and read the book?

 

[crest29]

i flipped through that book in a bookstore one day.... i was in an undergrad sorority as well.....

my sorority was mentioned in the book but my experience was nothing like that at all....


i've always wondered.... what made you buy and read the book?

well i haven't finished the book, but it caught my eye because it was in its own display case at barnes and noble.. (also.. i think its a new book, just published.. so i'm not sure if it is the same one that someone mentioned they read when they were younger) i read the book because i've always been fed stereotypes about sororities in general and i wanted to see if they were actually true. after reading abotu half of the book, i think the book further stereotypes sororities, especially because some of you stated that youre experience was nothing like those girls in the book.

basically i was interested in the pledging process and what makes being a greek so special.. i'm debating whether or not to join one or not still... i thought the book might give me some insight, however, i think I was totally wrong! which is why I'm here, asking you people about the pledgin process and about Professional Frats in general..

 

[laura_mideon]

Is that book about professional sororities/fraternities or about regular ones? Yah, I don't think I would ever join a regular one or one that's not serious, only a professional one or an honors one or something where the benefits are school/work related rather then party/fun related...I bet they have some great parties but that's not what I'm looking for....

I never thought that what people say about frats/sororities were wrong and they were just stereotypes, everything I've heard from people in regular frats/sororities have basically reinforced the image of partying/socializing all the time.

Are they normally not like that?

I know that pharmacy ones won't be like that, but I thought the majority of them are....hmmm....weird

 

[nikkai]

I wanna join because it'll help me learn greek.

=P

Seriously debating.. I did the frat thing in undergrad... no real contacts made, just good friends (who maybe will be a contact in the future? but I could have done that w/o the frat and fees. =P)

So... I dunno.

 

[laura_mideon]

I wanna join because it'll help me learn greek.

=P

Seriously debating.. I did the frat thing in undergrad... no real contacts made, just good friends (who maybe will be a contact in the future? but I could have done that w/o the frat and fees. =P)

So... I dunno.

Were your fees expensive?

 

[ultracet]

Pledged is about social sororities.


i also did the sorority thing in undergrad and can identify with those who say they didn't make any "connections" while there. what i have gotten from that organization after graduation is kinda neat... i joined the local grad chapter. a lot of those women already know each other from undergrad but its just nice to get together every couple of months and eat a relaxing dinner from people who don't really expect anything out of you.

the professional sorority/frat (s/f from now on for me) can also be a similar situation. there are people who join them who don't get anything out of it other than on the local level. in order to get more out of it and "connections" you have to go somewhere. you have to go to the regional meetings, apha meetings, other state/national pharmacy meetings or you will just know the people who were in pharmacy school with you at that time.

It doesn't automatically happen. yeah you say oh yeah i'm XYZ and they are too then thats great however if you go to things and get involved you can call Brother John the director of the residency you are thinking about (you know him b/c you met at the last regional/national meeting) and see what its like and what they are looking for.

That is where the big difference is between s/f and regular 'ole organizations