The process of receiving a sorority bid can be both exciting and nerve-wracking as it determines whether or not a potential member will be accepted into a sorority.
Understanding how sorority bids work is important for those interested in Greek life on campus.
Are sorority bids based solely on popularity?
Or are there other factors that come into play?
How Does Bid Day Work?
Bid Day is the final day of sorority recruitment where potential new members celebrate receiving a bid to join a specific sorority chapter.
A bid is a formal invitation to join a sorority that is given to women who have gone through formal or informal recruitment.
Sororities decide who receives a bid through a mutual selection process taking into account the preferences of both the potential new member and the sorority.
Sororities must meet a quota determined by their university’s Panhellenic Council which specifies how many bids they must give out during recruitment.
There is a high chance of receiving a bid if you make it to a sorority chapter’s Preference Night.
Not everyone receives a bid on Bid Day but those who do not can explore other options like Continuous Open Bidding (COB) or other on-campus extracurriculars.
Legacies women with family members who were in a sorority are not guaranteed a bid but they may have a higher ranking on the invite back list.
Only one bid is given on Bid Day and potential new members cannot receive multiple bids or choose which bid to accept.
If you do not receive a bid you can drop your sorority and explore other options but you may not be able to go through formal recruitment again.
Bid Day is celebrated with a big party where new members meet their pledge class and older sisters.
New members are assigned a Bid Day Buddy who will be there to support them throughout the day.
Each sorority chapter has its own Bid Day theme and new members receive a special Bid Day t-shirt.
If you are not happy with your Bid Day experience give your sorority a fair chance until initiation and report any concerning incidents to the appropriate authorities.
What Happens After Receiving A Sorority Bid?
After receiving a bid potential new members enter a new member period before being initiated into the sorority.
This period typically involves attending new member meetings sisterhood retreats and other events where new members learn more about their sorority and its values.
It is an opportunity to bond with fellow new members and form friendships within the sorority.
During this time new members may also have the chance to participate in volunteer work and other activities that promote involvement and sisterhood.
It is important to actively engage with the new member process and take advantage of the opportunities provided to fully immerse oneself in the sorority experience.
If for any reason a new member decides that the sorority is not the right fit it is possible to drop the sorority after Bid Day.
However there may be limitations on participating in future sorority recruitment processes so careful consideration should be given before making this decision.
Can You Drop Your Sorority After Bid Day?
After going through the excitement of Bid Day and joining a sorority you may find that it is not the right fit for you. While it is possible to drop your sorority after Bid Day there may be limitations on participating in future recruitment.
Joining a sorority is a big decision and it is important to give your new sorority a fair chance. Take the time to attend chapter meetings get to know your sisters and participate in sorority events.
It is possible that you will find your place and feel more connected to the sisterhood as time goes on.
However if you truly feel that the sorority is not the right fit for you it is possible to drop your sorority. Keep in mind that the process and rules for dropping a sorority can vary depending on your university and sorority’s policies.
Some universities may allow you to drop your sorority through a formal process while others may require you to speak with your sorority’s leadership or Panhellenic Council.
It is important to understand the potential limitations on participating in future recruitment if you choose to drop your sorority. Some universities may have rules that prohibit individuals who have dropped a sorority from participating in formal recruitment again.
If you have concerns or questions about dropping your sorority it is best to reach out to your sorority’s leadership or the Panhellenic Council for guidance.
Thoughts On Sorority Bid Day
Bid Day is the culmination of sorority recruitment and marks the celebration of receiving a bid to join a specific sorority chapter. It is an exciting and emotional day for potential new members as they begin their journey into sisterhood.
On Bid Day potential new members gather together with their recruitment group known as Rho Chis or Pi Chis to anxiously await their bids. Each potential new member will receive a bid which is a formal invitation to join a sorority and the excitement and anticipation are palpable.
When the bids are finally distributed potential new members open them with anticipation surrounded by their Rho Chis or Pi Chis who offer support and congratulations. It is a moment of joy and relief as potential new members discover which sorority chapter has extended them an invitation to join.
Once a potential new member receives a bid they are welcomed into their sorority chapter and become a new member. This marks the beginning of their journey into sisterhood where they will form lasting friendships participate in various activities and events and contribute to the sorority’s values and philanthropic efforts.
Throughout Bid Day potential new members have the opportunity to meet their pledge class as well as older sisters who will serve as mentors and guides throughout their time in the sorority. This is a time of celebration as new members participate in activities games and bonding experiences with their sorority sisters.
Each sorority chapter has its own Bid Day theme with decorations and activities planned to welcome new members and make them feel special. New members often receive a Bid Day t-shirt which serves as a memento of their special day and their commitment to their sorority chapter.
It is important for new members to approach Bid Day with an open mind and a willingness to embrace their new sorority chapter. If you are not happy with your Bid Day experience it is advisable to give your sorority a fair chance until initiation and to report any concerning incidents to the appropriate authorities.
After Bid Day new members will attend meetings retreats and events to learn more about their sorority and its values. This is an important time to get to know your sisters build connections and fully immerse yourself in the sisterhood.
How Do Sorority Bids Work?
Understanding the Bid Process
During sorority recruitment potential new members go through a series of rounds in order to receive a bid or a formal invitation to join a specific sorority chapter. The process can vary slightly between universities but generally follows a similar structure.
Round 1: Meeting All the Sororities
In the first round also known as Open House potential new members have the opportunity to visit all the sororities on campus. This round is meant to give them a chance to get an initial impression of each sorority chapter and begin the conversation cycle.
During this round potential new members typically have short conversations with members of each sorority. The conversations may be brief as there are many potential new members to speak with.
This is the time for potential new members to make a positive first impression and showcase their interests and passions.
At the end of Round 1 potential new members will vote on which sororities they would like to visit again in the next round.
Round 2: The Voting Process
In Round 2 potential new members will receive specific invitations from the sororities they voted back. The sororities hold chapter meetings and members vote on who to invite back for the next round.
The number of potential new members each sorority can invite back is determined by the sorority’s upperclassmen quota and the Release Figure Methodology (RFM) used by the sorority and the university’s Panhellenic Council. RFM takes into account factors such as the number of potential new members and the number of sorority chapters on campus to create an equal playing field for each sorority.
It’s important to note that not all potential new members will be invited back to the maximum number of sororities. This is because each sorority has limited spots and there are more potential new members than available spots in each sorority.
Potential new members may receive 30-70% of the maximum invites.
Round 2 typically involves longer conversations with members of each sorority. Potential new members should take this opportunity to connect with members on a deeper level and showcase their values and compatibility with the sorority.
1. Sorority Recruitment Process
The sorority recruitment process is similar to shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. It involves multiple rounds where potential new members (PNMs) get the opportunity to meet various sororities on their college’s campus and ultimately receive a bid to join a specific sorority chapter.
2. Round 1: Meeting All Sororities
During Round 1 PNMs have the chance to meet all the sororities on campus. This round allows PNMs to get a general sense of each sorority and start forming their preferences.
It’s important for PNMs to make a good impression and engage in conversations that showcase their personality and interests.
After meeting all the sororities PNMs vote on which ones they want to go back to for Round 2. This voting process helps the sororities get an idea of how many PNMs are interested in them and influences the invitation process for the next round.