- Welcome
- Resources
- Why should I join a sorority?
- What are the requirements to join?
- How many hours each week will I spend with my sorority?
- How long will I be a “new member”?
- Is recruitment only for freshmen?
- Do sororities haze?
- What if I decide I don’t want to join a sorority?
- What is a Recruitment Information Form?
- What is a legacy?
- What is Recruitment like?
- How should I act during Recruitment?
- What should I wear during Recruitment?
- How much does it cost to join a sorority?
- How do I decide what sorority to join?
The Alumnae Panhellenic of Tallahassee, Inc. invites you to participate in Formal Sorority Recruitment at the campus of the college or university that you will be attending. Formal Recruitment (sometimes referred to as Rush) is the process by which the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) member fraternities work together to recruit new members. Continuous Open Bidding (C.O.B.) is another recruitment process.
Joining a sorority is a personal decision that you alone must make. A sorority provides a unique combination of scholarship, leadership, community service and most of all, a family away from home. If you choose to join, a world of friendship and lifelong sisterhood await you.
This page was designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Formal Recruitment. Read it carefully, ask questions and make the recruitment decision that’s right for you.
When you are ready to take the next step, contact the Student Activities or Greek Life office on your chosen campus and register for Sorority Recruitment.
We wish you all the best as you enter college, and maybe, Greek life.
Have additional questions? Please e-mail the Alumnae Panhellenic of Tallahassee, Inc..
National Panhellenic Conference
Local Alumnae Panhellenic Councils
Campus Student Activities or Greek Life Offices
College & University sponsored websites
Individual chapter websites
A sorority is more than a home away from home – it is friends you never knew you could have, a supportive network of sisters and alumnae working with you to achieve your personal best. It is leadership development, scholarship and service. It is whatever you want it to be – the opportunities are there for the taking.
Regardless of which chapter you join, you will find a strong bond with women that will share your joy, tears and hopes.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN? 
The NPC member fraternities may have a GPA requirement for membership. If there is such a requirement, individual chapters are responsible for informing you of such a requirement. In addition to your scholarship abilities, your activities should be well rounded, showcasing a variety of interests and goals. Membership in campus or civic organizations, sports or the arts are all signs of a well-rounded person.
Finally, the financial requirements must be taken into consideration. Membership dues support the local chapter and the national organization. Fees vary from chapter to chapter and from campus to campus. Be sure to discuss this commitment fully during Rush. Make sure your parents are completely aware of the added expense.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND AT THE SORORITY?
During your new membership period, the amount of time you spend with your new sisters will vary. You will be asked to attend new member and chapter meetings in addition to any number of planned activities. If meals are offered at a chapter house, some of these hours will be spent at meals with your new sisters. During Recruitment, ask specifically what time commitment will be expected of you.
HOW LONG WILL I BE A ‘NEW MEMBER’?
The new member period varies from chapter to chapter but on average lasts anywhere from six to ten weeks. Each chapter has different requirements for initiation. You should ask these important questions during the Recruitment period.
IS RECRUITMENT ONLY FOR FRESHMAN?
Not at all! Sorority life has many wonderful opportunities for all undergraduate college women. There is no reason to miss the experience just because you are not a freshman.
The National Panhellenic Conference and its member fraternities have strict policies against hazing. Hazing is not a part of responsible Greek life. As you participate in Formal Recruitment, ask the chapters to what lengths they go to insure that hazing is left out of your new member period.
WHAT IF I DECIDE I DON’T WANT TO JOIN A SORORITY?
There is no obligation to join a sorority just because you participate in Formal Recruitment. You are encouraged to participate as it gives you an excellent opportunity to learn about sorority life. If you decide not to join at this time, it will not be held against you. If you change your mind later, contact the Greek Life office on your campus and inquire about Continuous Open Bidding opportunities.
WHAT IS A RECRUITMENT INFORMATION FORM?
A Recruitment Information Form is simply a personal letter of reference provided by an alumna of a sorority to the chapter on the campus of your choice. These letters are not necessary; it is just a way for you to be introduced to the sorority before Recruitment begins.
Let your friends and relatives know that you will be participating in Recruitment; one or more alumnae may step forward and offer to write a letter of reference for you. These letters should be mailed as soon as possible before Formal Recruitment begins. Some sororities require a form to be submitted with the letter. It is the alumna’s responsibility to provide these forms.
Letters of reference do not guarantee you an invitation to join a particular chapter.
A legacy is a woman whose mother, sister or grandmother belonged to a sorority. Each sorority defines the term legacy in their own way and this definition may include more distant relatives like aunts and cousins.
Being a legacy is not a guarantee that you will receive an invitation to join a particular chapter.
If nothing else, Recruitment is fun! You will meet dozens of women and get to know many of them as potential sisters and friends.
Recruitment will most likely begin with an Orientation session hosted by the Panhellenic Council. You will be given general information about Recruitment and divided into your Recruitment Groups. A Recruitment Counselor will be assigned to your group. A Recruitment Counselor is a sorority woman that has temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter in order to be a Recruitment Group Leader. A Recruitment Group Leader is there to guide you through recruitment, answer your questions and support you as you make your decisions. She will uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and Panhellenic spirit.
During the first few days of Recruitment, you will be required to visit each NPC chapter at least one time. These events will be your first glimpse into sorority life. Take a small notepad with you and after each party, write down your impressions about the chapter.
Throughout the week, you will spend more time with the sisters learning about their chapter’s history, their activities on campus, seeing skits or videos and participating in activities.
After the first round of events, you will receive invitations to revisit one or more chapters. This is the first step in the mutual selection process. You will be required to accept only a specific number of invitations. This invitational process will continue until the last day of Recruitment. After the last Preference event has ended, you will be asked to rank your membership choices on a Formal Membership Recruitment Acceptance card. Your preferences are matched up to the preferences of the chapters. You are strongly encouraged to list more than one chapter and not limit your options.
The last event of Formal Recruitment is Bid Day. On this day, you will receive your invitation to join a sorority and you will join your new sisters for a day of fun activities.
It may be that you will not be matched with your first choice. Before declining the opportunity to join, consider that the sorority on your bid card already considers you a sister AND this sorority was one of your three preferences for membership. They feel that you would make a great sister and friend. You should give the chapter the same opportunity that they are giving you. If you decline an invitation to join, you will be ineligible to join a sorority for one calendar year.
HOW SHOULD I ACT DURING RECRUITMENT?
The best advice is Be Yourself. Be honest and open with the women in the chapters; don’t pretend to be someone you are not. Ask questions of the sisters – you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Before participating in Recruitment, use the resources around you to learn about the NPC member fraternities on your chosen campus. Ask questions about scholarship, sisterhood, philanthropy and campus life. Listen to what the sisters are telling you and weigh the answers against your impressions of the chapter and its members.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR DURING RECRUITMENT?
You should receive a Recruitment Information packet prior to the events. Suggested dress will be listed in the packet. Follow the guidelines suggested by the campus of your choosing – they know best.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN A SORORITY?
The financial commitments vary from campus to campus and from chapter to chapter. Each chapter is required to disclose its financial commitment to you. Costs vary depending on whether or not housing is provided, if you will be required to eat meals at the house, or live in the house during your membership period. As stated earlier, it is important to discuss this financial commitment with your parents.
More often than not, it is less expensive to live in sorority housing than in dormitories on campus.
HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT SORORITY TO JOIN?
Only you know the answer to this question. Learn as much as you can about each chapter, get to know as many members as possible during the events and consider where you felt most at home. Consider which chapter will give you the scholarship, leadership and service opportunities you desire. Although your final preference decisions are important, you can be happy in almost any chapter on campus if you put forth the effort.