“Business Frat 101” cannot be taken for credit, but according to Penn’s three business fraternities, it may not be an opportunity you want to pass up.
The introductory session took place Tuesday evening in Huntsman Hall and marked the beginning of the business fraternity rush process.
Wharton junior Rebecca Schmierer, president of the business fraternity Phi Gamma Nu, explained that the rush processes for the three business fraternities are very similar. “It consists of three open rush events, and then we enter an application process in which applicants submit resumes,” she said.
“After that, we have closed rush and formal interviews. The entire process lasts from one and a half to two weeks,” she said.
Schmierer was keen to point out that a business fraternity was very much like a regular fraternity or sorority. “We are a support group, a community you can count on. However, in addition to all the regular features of a fraternity or sorority, we have a professional focus.”
Wharton senior Romina Colmenares, rush chair of Delta Sigma Pi, a business fraternity exclusively for Wharton students, agreed.
“We have the same social aspect, but we also have alumni connections, networking and professional growth.”
Wharton junior Whitney Sun, president of Alpha Kappa Psi, said that business fraternities may be invisible or less popular than traditional fraternities and sororities on campus because of a perception that business fraternities are “snobby and elitist.”
“The truth is, we’re just smaller, and so we can only take smaller numbers. There is also little awareness on Penn’s campus as to what exactly we do.”
Schmierer, whose own fraternity is not Wharton-exclusive, emphasized that business fraternities were not only for business students.
“This is a common misconception, which further leads to our invisibility. Business is not only for Wharton students — business is everywhere.”
Schmierer, Colmenares and Sun agreed that the co-educational aspect of business fraternities is what drew them to rush.
College junior David Shapiro, president of the Interfraternity Council, said that although professional and academic fraternities and sororities do not fall under the Office of the Interfraternity Council, he thinks they are “fabulous institutions.”
“They raise awareness about key groups at Penn and are integral parts of Penn’s academic and special activities,” he said.
Wharton and College freshman JiLon Li, who is interested in rushing a business fraternity this semester, said he didn’t really see much representation of business fraternities outside of activity fairs.
“I’ve heard it promotes a lot of relevant skills. I’ve also heard some unsavory things, like the pledging process is intense and that it is a big time commitment,” he said. “I want to see for myself what it’s like though.”
Nursing and Wharton freshman Elena Kvak said joining a business fraternity will help her network. “This is especially important because I am an international student. I’ve heard and read a lot of what I know about business frats from Facebook, so I think that it is good they are using it as an outreach tool.”
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