An ideal candidate is one who wishes to help further the advancement of women in S.T.E.M. majors. At the beginning of both the Fall and Spring Semesters, you have the chance to attend our recruitment events to get to know more about the sorority!
Is A.O.E. membership expensive?
Not at all! We try to keep our dues as low as possible through the use of our fundraisers.
How long is the process of becoming as sister?
The candidacy period lasts around 6 weeks (not including school breaks). We highly encourage candidates to attend the educational membership meeting once per week during recruitment. This gives enough time for each candidate to learn about the sorority and to form a bond with both the active members and the other potential new members.
How much of a time commitment is the Sorority?
As an active member of the sorority, you are strongly encouraged to attend the scheduled weekly meetings. Meetings typically run between 1-2 hours. You are also encouraged to attend all the events the sorority hosts, unless previously excused. Events include: community service, sisterhood activities, socials with the fraternity, etc.
What are the accepted majors?
ALL majors are welcome to join! We are a S.T.E.M. focused sorority, so our events will be geared towards majors that fall in those categories, but you do not need to be in the S.T.E.M. fields to be one of our sisters!
What are some of the activities do you do?
We hold professional, academic, social, philanthropic and other sisterhood events. Professional development events are very important to the sisterhood because we take pride in being a professional organization. Some events have included resume building, financial planning, and lectures from industry speakers.
Social events are where sisters get to socialize with our brother fraternity, our families, and our friends outside the sorority! Past events include a family barbecue, Friendsgiving dinner, and bonfires.
For philanthropy, we participate in service activities around campus and the community, as well as donate proceeds from some of our fundraising events. Fundraising activities in the past have included sales of Christmas ornaments, bake sales, and See's Candies sales.
We are always open to suggestions in different types of events to host, so feel free to suggest more!
How can I benefit from joining?
Alpha Omega Epsilon provides sisters with networking opportunities in the professional field with the use of our alumni as well as nationwide in our other chapters, including Canada! We provide an encouraging environment for sisters to perform their best academically, and provide support for those who need it. In fact, 95% of the sisters in Alpha Omega Epsilon graduate with a degree in engineering or technical sciences! In addition to the professional side, we also participate in a large variety of fun events that facilitate in sister bonding.
Is the Sorority part of panhellenic?
No, we are not a part of Panhellenic at San Diego State University, but instead we reside under the College of Engineering.
Why? Οverall the Alpha Omega Epsilon Foundation is recognized under both the National Panhellenic Conference umbrella and The Professional Fraternity Association, but because our main focus at San Diego State University is on professionalism for women in engineering and S.T.E.M. majors, our chapter at SDSU resides under the College of Engineering. However, many other universities are home to AΩE chapters that are members of their local Panhellenic Councils.
Looking for SDSU's Panhellenic sororities? Click here.
Does the Sorority have a brother Fraternity?
Yes! Sigma Phi Delta (ΣΦΔ) is our brother fraternity for the men in engineering majors and they also have a chapter here at SDSU. We regularly do combined events with them!
Are AωE and S.w.e. the same?
In short, no, Alpha Omega Epsilon and Society of Women in Engineering are not the same. However, our sorority does have many sisters who are members of both S.W.E. and the sorority and we highly encourage making connections with the members of the organization as a sister in ΑΩΕ. Our thought behind this is that S.W.E focuses on individual development while AΩE focuses on building an intimate sisterhood with its members.
Dual enrollment, what is it and what is on the list?
Dual Enrollment, in this case, is when someone is enrolled in two organizations at the same time. For ΑΩΕ specifically, there is a list of approved dual enrollment organizations, chapter approved orgs, and unapproved organizations which you can find here: Dual Enrollment List. This list primarily includes other panhellenic sororities and fraternities which will determine whether or not you are eligible to become a member of ΑΩΕ. If you were previously a member of any of the organizations on the list and have disbanded from them, you will be asked to show proof of your disbandment before we can extend potential membership to you. If you are in the process of disbanding, we will need continued proof of your intent to leave and proof of disbandment once it has been completed.
What does S.t.e.m. mean?
S.T.E.M. Stands for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics! Historically the workplaces under these fields have not been as welcoming to women working in them as we would like, so our sorority focuses on supporting these women and providing them with resources that promote professional and personal success. Alpha Omega Epsilon aims to create a sisterhood for all, however, and we welcome women studying other majors and professions with open arms and hearts!
Have a question that's not answered here? Please go to our main 'Contact Us' page and fill out a form!
