Tips on Joining a Business Frat?
I am a sophomore at Cornell. We have a couple business frats (AKPsi and DSP). I heard that many of their alumni work at many BB and EB and they usually help out one another. Some of the analyst who were members of the frats would help with resume selection and give the members first round interviews.
If you go on linkedin, a lot of the people working at BB and EBs were alumni of the frats. I really want to join but it is really competitive. They get like 200 applications and pick 10 people. Any tips?
Join a real Fraternity...they're more fun
100%. Social skills that actually help you in life are better fostered in a social fraternity environment than ones accrued from mock interviews. Plus, the network you gain through membership in a social fraternity is definitely better than the ones business fraternities try to pitch you (if you pick the right one).
On a side note, it drives me insane that girls in a business fraternity refer to themselves as brothers.
Tip #1: Stop calling it a "frat".
I was in one of these organizations (AKPsi/DSP). At my university, we looked for people that we could see ourselves actually being able to stand. If you got on my nerves at the info sessions/interviews, I automatically gave you a 'no'. Also, and this should be obvious, be professional. You wouldn't believe how many people that came to their interviews either not owning a suit, or having an ill-fitting one.
I was also in a 'real' fraternity. So, I agree with WoodySan. However, I think being in both would make you well-rounded. The business fraternity types are seen as more dull/boring. Having a real fraternity on your resume will help you avoid being categorized like this.
Feel free to ask any questions. I was a director in my Bus. Fraternity, as well as on pledge committee.
Nice
Just have no social skills, be very lame and a tryhard and you should fit right in.
There's plenty of fraternity alum in finance who weren't in the business ones. Join these as you'll have more fun, a stronger network, and have more relatable experiences with regards to pledging etc.
Just be normal and show you are interested in finance through whatever you've done over the last few years. If you can do that eloquently there's a spot waiting for you, more or less. You would be surprised how many idiots apply
I was in one of those organizations you mentioned, and my roommate was in the other. Based on what I've heard from him and what I've experienced myself, all it comes down to, really, is: do we like you? Just fit in. Don't give them any reason to ding you. The people I know who were cut from the pledging process (and even before) did a lot of stupid shit that I can go into more detail if you want to PM me.
FWIW, this network didn't open any doors for me, so don't assume doors will open for your magically just because you joined one of them.
As long as the connections are as good as you say, then it seems like a good opportunity. With that said, I have heard mixed stories from friends at different schools about how good the networking opportunities are in DSP and AKPsi. Beyond possessing an interest in business, most members of these business fraternities do not have much in common with each other. From my experience being in a social fraternity, alumni from my fraternity are willing to go to great lengths to help me, which includes getting my resume to the right people and putting me in touch with their friends at other firms. The reason: the alumni pledged and the fraternity experience meant something to them beyond business connections.
Tips: talk to the people on Exec Board or people who are respected in the club. Be yourself.
real fraternity for the win.. I am sure wall street is similar to the stats below:
•Of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men. •85% of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity. •40 of 47 U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were fraternity men. •76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity. •Every U.S. President and Vice President, except two in each office, born since the first social fraternity was founded in 1825 have been members of a fraternity.
http://thefraternityadvisor.com/greek-life-statistics/
lol my wife started the DSP chapter at our undergrad when we were in school (circa '04) and I used to give her all kinds of shit about it. I think it's probably pretty soft in terms of value add on the recruiting side, but I will say that she's stayed in touch with a lot of the people from it, they still make a point of looking us up when the come through town etc. It's kinda weird but i guess it's probably a good thing to do if you have the time. I still can't get her to teach me the secret handshake or sing the "Rose of Delta Sigma Pi", although i've made up my own version...
I was in a business frat but YMMV. My chapter was VERY social and outgoing but when we went to other chapter events, they would be extremely nerdy and unsocial. I would rush and see if you mesh well with the brothers.
Q: What's the hardest part of joining a business frat?
A: Telling your parents that you're gay
I was in one "real" fraternity and one of the business fraternities. Both had their pros and cons. I'd say I made better friends from the "real" one, but my connections from the business one is what got me a foot in the door in a finance role even with a slightly non-traditional background. The chapter of the business fraternity I was in was much more social than other posters seem to suggest, but it really depends on the chapter. At some regional events, many of the other chapters were full of the nerdy and socially awkward types.
As with nearly everything, your experience will be what you make it. You can't really go wrong with either as long as you're in it for the right reasons. In both, we cared about fit and if you would get along with everyone. However in the business fraternity, we additionally looked for what you brought to the table in terms of your ability to teach other brothers, fund-raise, and generally be a good ambassador of the chapter to the campus. Part of the benefit was that we didn't accept freshmen, so many brothers already had jobs lined up for graduation and spent a good amount of time helping with the professional development of sophomores and juniors.
Disregard comments on joining a regular fraternity because that ship has already sailed if you're sophomore in college. But, you should actually rush a business fraternity for that exact reason. You'll find comparable camaraderie that is still "brotherhood" (albeit co-ed), that focuses more on the business college community as opposed to the Greek community. In addition to having off-campus events, I remember them having exclusive information sessions and events with firms. I don't think I missed out by not joining a business fraternity as I already had my own extracurriculars, but if you're looking for that piece of your college experience that you haven't had yet, go for it.
Be a cool dude, show interest in the fraternity and be someone that people would want to hang out with after class. They're a bit pretentious about what you've got on the resume during rush but you're on WSO so presume you're taking care of yourself in that area.
Business fraternities are a mixed bag. It doesn't hurt to join one, but they certainly won't make or break you, just give incremental help. Social fraternities can be more helpful, but again, aren't necessary, won't make or break you, and are not for everyone. I've seen people leverage their fraternities to get great careers, but on the other hand, I've seen others crash and burn because they bought too much into the party hard lifestyle.
Just start your own fraternity
Honestly, they just want to be with people they can chill with. They can teach you the professional aspect. As far as the interviews go, just be yourself and if they like you then you're good, but they aren't for everyone.
For the networking aspect, my chapter has good connections, and I know that people in the workforce have reached out to it looking to help brothers out.
Some chapters are weak and lame, just like any fraternity or sorority. But, it all comes down to who you like and where you think you'll fit in.
Autem dolores voluptatem expedita quia asperiores reiciendis non. Temporibus temporibus et nulla delectus eum. Molestias et tempore quidem quam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...