What it means to be an alumni?

An alumnus (masculine, plural alumni) or alumna (feminine, plural alumnae) is a former student or pupil of a school, college, or university. Commonly, but not always, the word refers to a graduate of the educational institution in question.

Why do they call it alumni?

Etymology. The Latin noun alumnus means “foster son” or “pupil”. It is derived from PIE *h₂el- (grow, nourish), and it is a variant of the Latin verb alere “to nourish”.

Is alumni a correct word?

The word “alumnus” refers to an individual male graduate. Remember that if you’re referring to a group of male graduates, you use “alumni.”

Can I be an alumni if I didn’t graduate?

The term alumnus/alumna refers to anyone who attended a particular university (Merriam-Webster definition). Use graduate or dropout (or non-graduate alumnus) to specify whether or not someone completed a degree. Many tech company founders dropped out of college, but are still considered alumni.

Can I say I am an alumni?

However, it is still important to distinguish between one alumnus and a stadium full of alumni. Never say, “I am an alumni” if you don’t want to cast discredit on your school. Many avoid the whole problem by resorting to the informal abbreviation “alum.”

Are all alumni graduates?

The word “alumni” refers collectively to male and female graduates, or to a group of all-male graduates, and is plural. “Alumnae” refers to a group of women graduates and is plural. “Alumna” refers to a single female alum, and “alumnus” is a single male alum.

Can you use alumni for singular?

Traditionally, “alumnus” refers specifically to a singular male graduate and “alumni” is the plural form for a group of male graduates and for a group of male and female graduates. Meanwhile, the term for singular female graduates is the lesser spotted “alumna”, and “alumnae” refers to a group of female-only graduates.

What do you call yourself after you graduate?

If I was pursuing a master’s or doctorate, I would call myself a “graduate student.” So, yes, someone with a BS or BA is a “graduate.” But it’s not normal to refer to oneself as a graduate. At least not for very long after the ceremony. A person with a doctorate gets a special term. They can call themselves a “doctor.”

Can you be an alumni without graduating?

What is a female graduate called?

What is the benefit of being an alumni?

Alumni are usually offered exclusive job postings, resume reviews, webinars, networking events, and a variety of online videos and resources—often free of charge. More in-depth services, like career counseling or alumni-only career fairs, are likely also available, sometimes for a small fee.