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Recruitment FAQs
WHY SHOULD I
JOIN A SORORITY?
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.
DO SORORITIES HAZE?
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 (or
References or 'Recs') 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. If you would like
assistance in obtaining reference letters, please visit our
References
page.
WHAT IS A LEGACY?
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.
WHAT IS RECRUITMENT LIKE?
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.
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