In the middle of my first semester of college, I opened my laptop and started to fill out a transfer application. I eagerly awaited the winter break to return home as I felt a certain hollowness in my college experience. I had made friends but lacked a deeper connection with them. I joined clubs yet struggled to find an avenue for professional development.
Growing up in Montreal, students follow a typical route. You complete high school, attend pre-university by choosing a professional track, then continue university in Quebec, with most people commuting from home. That option was not only restrictive in terms of what I could study, but also meant I would lack a sense of independence. Wanting to study a combination of public health, neuroscience, and languages while seeking to branch out of the typical educational path at home, I knew I had to look elsewhere.
After my first semester at Tulane, I had been rejected from a pre-med fraternity, a freshman leadership program, and multiple leadership positions in clubs. I figured I had nothing to lose by giving AKPsi a chance after they recruited me while tabling on McAlister.
I showed up on the first night of rush, sitting in Kendall Cram, looking around to see 100+ other students sitting nervously in their seats. I remember the Vice-Presidents of Membership at the time welcoming everyone and delivering the schedule of rush events so confidently. Like many other students, I feared public speaking and found myself nervous at the thought of presentations in front of a group. I immediately convinced myself I was in the wrong place and that I did not have the confidence nor the qualities required to get into AKPsi.
Every day of rush, however, I felt a sense of calmness and a desire to join the organization that kept growing. I met students having previously lived outside the United States and shared that connection. Every student I spoke to had unique interests and aspirations they were excited about. By the end of the first night of rush and for the first time since being on Tulane’s campus, there was a familiarity that felt comforting. These students shared the same professional drive I had while valuing building a sense of camaraderie.
When COVID hit, I had to return to Montreal for about six months. The transfer application for McGill that I submitted as a freshman had been approved, and I debated accepting the offer. As I discussed pros and cons with family and friends, there was one thing stopping me from transferring. AKPsi. Despite not knowing what would come next, I knew there was an opportunity that had yet to continue flourishing at Tulane. A chance to be part of a tight-knit community of ambitious and passionate individuals.
Gaining membership into AKPsi inspired me to give back to the brotherhood. Last semester, I served as a pledge instructor, a position I could have never envisaged for myself. As a rushee, I lacked self-trust and confidence. The brothers in the organization were the ones who encouraged me to run for this position. I am thankful for the supportive network that helped me break past the anxiety surrounding my own abilities that restricted me before rushing. I am incredibly grateful for my experience in AKPsi keeping me from transferring back to Montreal. As a senior, I can confidently say that being part of AKPsi has shaped my Tulane experience into a positive one.
By Sarah Frances
