You’re Special...Not

Scenario: It’s Thursday morning, you’re running to your mailbox to grab the latest issue of The Reveille. You fumble with the lock until you hear that fateful click. You open the door and folded neatly on top of your newspaper is an official looking letter.

You immediately assume it is bad news, until you slit it open and realize you’ve been invited to apply to join a special group – one that not just anyone can join. Elated, you read further only to realize you aren’t anywhere near qualified for the group, except the GPA requirement.

The application asks for many things and all you are able to fill out are items like where you live, your work experience, plus you think you have a shot at B.S-ing your way through the essay. Bummer.

Seconds ago you had been excited and ready to take on this new opportunity that could and probably would take you to new heights. However, instantly, even without submitting the application, you have been shot down. Ouch.

Question: how do special groups (the ones that require an invitation) choose who to invite? Yes, we know that GPA plays a huge role in who is considered, but are there further measures that can be examined before sending out invites to students who later find out they aren’t “good enough?”

Most of these applications ask for campus involvement – generally centered around community service, service learning, leadership and on some occasions fundraising. It seems many of these special groups are seeking out those in the Greek community – known for their amazing fundraisers – and people who don’t belong to such organizations less so.

Don’t get me wrong – I truly believe Greeks deserve all the recognition they receive. They are doing noble work, but where does that leave the rest of campus? Not everyone with a high GPA is involve with fundraisers or has a long list of collegiate community service projects. They participate in many activities, but not ones that necessarily fit the categories listed on applications.

Where are the groups that reward students for having good grades, a good attitude and a list of constructive activities other than community service? I know this isn’t elementary school where we get gold stars for just writing our names, but I think everyone, in some way or another, should be recognized for the hard work they do on campus. People should be invited to groups that they definitely have a shot at getting into. Special society organizers should find a way to make sure the people they are sending application invitations to those who are really qualified. Students already have enough stress and confidence issues to weed through. If they are sent an invitation only to find out they aren’t really qualified, it is a real downer.

Let’s make the students feel good about the things they do, prevent accidental reminders of inadequacy and find a nicer way to show them other good things they could be doing.