Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to join?

Must be a current full time George Washington University student with a passion for Science, Engineering, Math, and Technology - All majors accepted!
Seek to be involved in a professional organization and improve real world skills
Aspire to join and be involved in a lifelong community
Cannot be an existing member of any social or professional sorority/fraternity on campus, honorary and service organizations are welcome
Must have at least 2 semester of education left at GWU

How does recruitment work?

Our recruitment lasts 2 weeks at the beginning of the semester. We host around 4-6 events varying from Craft Nights to Research Panels, with the intention of showing potential new members all that A.O.E. has to offer. These events are for potential members to express their interest in the sorority, as well as get to know the members, and the variety of events we host! You can attend any amount of events, but the more the better! At the end of recruitment, potential new members with the intention of joining must attend at least one out of two invite-only events.

What is the time commitment during candidacy?

Candidacy is a six week process in which candidates learn about A.O.E., get to know members better, and complete a class project. Candidates have mandatory 1 hour weekly meetings, as well as other nonmandatory events and individual meetings with members. Overall candidates spend about 2 to 5 hours a week participating in activities related to candidacy.

What is the time commitment as an active member?

As a member there are weekly chapter meeting which are usually around 30 minutes, unless voting of some sort is taking place. There are numerous other events that are hosted throughout the semester, both mandatory and optional. As an active member you are expected to attend a certain amount of events, because participation is vital to getting the most out of A.O.E. Overall most active members spend about 2 to 5 hours participating in A.O.E. related activities

How much are dues?

Dues are between $75 and $275, depending on your activity status. The Chi chapter never wants finances to be what stops someone from joining, so a fund has been started to provide scholarships for members who need them. If at any point dues become too much of a burden, all a member has to do is reach out to the executive board about a scholarship.

What kind of events does A.O.E. host?

We have Unity events that are quite casual, such as Boba Runs, Thrift Shopping, and Paint Nights. These events are more relaxing, providing you a little moment away from all your work. We also host Professional events, such as Resume Workshops, Mock Interviews, and Study Hours. These events help you to be as successful as possible in the challenging world of STEM. All of these events have the exchange of knowledge from upperclassmen, with real world experience, to anyone who needs it. We also hold events under the categories of Philanthropy, Fundraising, Risk Management, and Diversity Equity & Inclusion.

What are the differences between
A.O.E. and traditional sororities?

The Chi Chapter of A.O.E. is not a part of GWU’s Panhellenic Association and does not participate in the formal recruitment and rush processes in conjunction with the Panhellenic sororities. We also don’t have dedicated housing, although many of our members room together in dorms and apartments, and our social events primarily take place during the day and are limited to our members.

One of the largest differences is what connects our members. We are a group of gender minority students in STEM. We understand the struggles associated with not being treated fairly or taken seriously in our fields and we actively work to combat that. By supporting each other academically, professionally, and interpersonally, we uplift each other and create incredibly strong, meaningful connections. Having an established community allows you to find support inside and out of the classroom. Members and alumni are always willing to offer their advice and connections. Having another member in your class means that you already have a connection with them, regardless of how well you know them.