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.

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.

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 Letter of Recommendation page.

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.

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.

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.

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.