What exactly is "Formal Recruitment?"
Formal Recruitment is typically a one to two week period of intake for NPC sororities on a college campus. NPC is the National Panhellenic Conference, or the national organization that regulates and runs the 26 "NPC" sororities. You may hear the term "panhel" during recruitment; this refers to the section of women at your college that were voted into office by the sororities to run recruitment and regulate sorority life in general. These women will be assisting in running your recruitment experience!
So what happens during these 1-2 weeks?
The recruitment process varies from school to school, but here's a typical example of a formal recruitment schedule:
"Meet The Greeks" or "Greek Expo": This is a campus-wide event welcome to anyone in the Greek community (fraternities, sororities, multi-cultural organizations and social fellowships). Typically, this acts as an information session to introduce PNM's, or, Potential New Members (that's you!) to all of the different organizations on campus. I highly recommend attending; this is a great way to get a better idea of which organizations you may or may not be interested in joining!
Dress Code: Casual but not sloppy, a good example would be nice jeans/black pants and a nice sweater, or a nice shirt and pants. This is extremely casual and laid back, but first impressions count!
"Rounds": Recruitment will consist of anywhere from 1-3 and possibly more "rounds" depending on the size of your sorority community, as well as the number of PNM's going through recruitment. The first round is commonly referred to as Round Robin and consists of speed dating type rounds where you visit each sorority and they do either a presentation or getting to know you type activities centering around their individual sorority. (Pro Tip: Bring a water bottle and gum/mints! It's a lot of talking. Also, eat something beforehand, it's a long day!). You will be assigned a Rho Gamma, or, Recruitment Counselor, which will act as your guide and confidante during recruitment. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OR TEXT YOUR RHO GAM! Rho Gamma is a leadership position in the Greek Community and the girls who are assigned this task "give up their letters" and temporarily stop being a member of their individual chapter to help you to find yours. (Pro Tip: Don't ask them what chapter they're in, they can't tell you!)
Dress Code: Same as Meet The Greeks, but no one will judge if you dress a little nicer. But nothing fancy!
"Preference Round" or "Pref Party": Pref is a more intimate round than the first few that you will attend. These are invite only parties that are the final round before bids are extended. Attending these parties does not guarantee you a bid to any of the chapters that you're invited to their round, but, are a great step in the right direction. Typically, this final round will give you a more intimate and "inside look" at what the chapter is really all about.
Dress Code: Wear a semiformal dress to this! Your safest bet is a black dress and heels. NO SWEET 16 DRESSES! (I've seen it all...)
"Bid Day": YAY! You've made it to Bid Day! First of all, congratulations! Prior to Bid Day, at least at my school, you will go into an office or designated room to sign your "Bid" if you received one. Upon signing this bid it is MANDATORY that you do not reveal which organization you signed to! Bid Day is an amazing, exciting ceremony where you will reveal to the Greek Community which organization that you're going to become a part of. Trust me, the surprise is worth it!
Dress Code: Make sure you're wearing a bra and possibly an undershirt! Oftentimes, when you run to your new sorority, you will be given a shirt to change into!
Well that's all great, but what about hazing! And Bigs/Littles! And-
Woah, woah, woah, hold on there! We'll get to all of that. Before going into recruitment, you're going to have a lot of questions. These are some of the most typical that I've heard or been asked:
What if my friends want a different sorority than I do?
Believe it or not, this is a very common issue that PNM's face. My biggest suggestion is to go into recruitment with an open mind and an open heart. When you join a sorority, you're joining more than a friendship or a club. It's true when they say "It's not four years, it's for life." Joining a sorority is being a part of a family that will see you at your best and at your worst. Keep in mind, just because you join one sorority and your best friend joins another doesn't meant that your friendship has to change! Some of my best friends, even almost four years later, are in other sororities!
What if everyone hates me?
First of all, get that out of your head! You're amazing. One of the best parts about being in a sorority is that you get the chance to be your most authentic self. These girls will know you inside and out. Go into recruitment as open and honest about yourself as you can be. Trust me when I say this: The individual sororities are just as, if not more nervous than you are! They're so excited to welcome in new members. Don't go into rounds and try to change who you are to fit the sorority that you're talking to. You will find a place where you feel comfortable, which leads to the next question...
Why are sororities ignoring me outside of the rounds?
Panhel has to create and enforce rules that all sororities must follow called silence rules. These rules ensure that no sorority is influencing the decision of a PNM to go to or not go to any particular chapter. Oftentimes, these rules means that they are not allowed to speak to PNM's outside of official recruitment rooms. Don't stress, it's nothing personal!
Who do I pick!?
Go with your gut. It's the oldest advice in the world, but the most true. If you feel in your heart that you don't belong somewhere, don't go there. Go where you can be yourself.
Hazing. HAZING!?
Hazing is illegal. Hazing should not occur. If hazing does occur, tell someone, because it should not. Most campuses and all national sororities have a Zero Tolerance Hazing Policy. While hazing can occur, it is few and far between, and NPC has made great strides to ensure that hazing does not occur. A huge part of your education as a new member will be learning about your sorority's history and traditions, and this should include education on why hazing is not okay. Don't let the fear of what happens in movies stop you from an amazing experience!
And that's it! Be yourself, follow your heart, and the rest will follow. Good luck, and I can't wait to see you on Bid Day!
