As a senior, I’ve had the chance to see recruitment from all sides. I was once a PNM, I am now a sister and I’ve even had the opportunity to be a Panhellenic recruitment counselor, or “Pi Chi.” Whatever side of recruitment you’re on, I think we can all agree that bid day is definitely the best day ever.
1. The Anticipation
After a long week of recruitment, you are ready for this. It’s been a long week of waking up at 6 a.m., spending 12 hours on your feet singing and clapping, and straining your voice to complete exhaustion. Will you even be able to scream after all of that talking and singing? Risking laryngitis to scream your heart out on bid day is SO worth it.
2. The Themes
Even with the short notice from your recruitment chair after a long kept secret, you’ve managed to scramble together the perfect bid day outfit to match your theme. The Greek courts will become a sea of crazy leggings, tutus, and glitter, with a variety of exciting themes coming from each chapter.
3. The Perfect Instagram
Because what’s bid day without pictures? You’re outside, the lighting is better than ever and there’s endless opportunity to capture the perfect candid pic of you and your friends jumping around. Instagram will be exploding with posts from the start of the day and throughout the rest of the week as you relive the memories over and over.
4. Welcoming New Sisters
Some of them may be perfect strangers, some your closest friends. Either way you’re super pumped to share this new connection with all those fresh faces running down the hill with tears of excitement in their eyes. Bid days commences a new chapter full of friendships and opportunity.
5. Pi Chi Return
Pi Chis are the glue that connects the two sides of recruitment together. These girls have acquired an important role, guiding and offering advice to PNMs throughout the recruitment process. After weeks of awkwardly ignoring your Pi Chi best friend, you finally get to welcome her back into your arms as she runs down the hill with the rest of the new members.
6. The Food
Most of the time your chapter will cater the event so that you can replenish after exhausting your energy in celebration. After hours of singing, dancing and yelling, you’re definitely ready to nom on some pizza and cupcakes.
7. Community
It’s not just your chapter that’s celebrating bid day, every other sorority on campus is right there with you. And while you may have different themes, traditions and members, you all come together on this day to celebrate the great opportunity that Greek life has to offer.
