could i join a sorority even though i'm older?

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I transferred to U of I from community college a few years ago when I was 20. Like you, I was unsure about how my age might be looked at by the houses, but both my parents and several of my aunts and uncles had been part of the Greek system when they went to U of I (each in a different house) so I knew I wanted to at least give it a try. I went through formal recruitment and ended up joining a sorority that was one of my favorites from the very first time I talked to the girls there. I know girls who joined other houses when they were 19 or 20 as well. Some had no problem fitting in with their pledge class/house and for others, the age/maturity difference caused them to leave their house after their first year. Some houses might dismiss you during recruitment because of your age (I had some girls all but completely stop talking to me during the process when they heard I wasn't a freshman) but you still will have plenty of houses that will be open to having you join.
Also during recruitment, in general, the girls already in houses are directed to evaluate how the girls rushing present themselves (appropriate clothes, hair, confidence, eye-contact, personality, etc.) so that they aren't technically judging based on looks, but being attractive never hurts either.

Yes Illinois is not like SEC rush where you really need to be a freshman
Keep an open mind though because no one has a perfect rush

Agree keep an open mind and you should find a home
Have fun and try not to listen to too much tent talk