How Does Sorority Rush Work?

” You’re not alone.

Many young women approach their college journey with the anticipation of joining a sorority not only for the quintessential college experience but also for the lifelong friendships they could form.

This often leads to a maze of questions about how to get the elusive bid to your dream sorority.

Before a prospective member can be invited for membership she partakes in a series of recruitment rounds not unlike the elimination process in popular reality shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.

But should the potential new member action differ in this selection process and if so how?

How Does Sorority Rush Work?

At its core sorority rush also known as sorority recruitment is a selection process where sororities recruit potential new members (PNMs) to join their chapters. This is often compared to television shows like The Bachelor where contenders are eliminated round by round.

The recruitment process can last between three days to two weeks depending on the school and sorority. During this period it’s crucial to get on the radar of each sorority – registration meeting members and maintaining a public Instagram profile are vital for this.

College Panhellenic websites often leave out details on how to secure a bid and what the members are seeking in PNMs. However methods like CRUSH can significantly elevate the chances of getting a bid.

It’s also valuable to bear in mind the Release Figure Methodology (RFM) used by sororities to measure the number of invites they can extend per round.

The Recruitment Process

The recruitment process is composed usually of four rounds: open house house tours skit/philanthropy and preference. Open house is the inaugural and least formal round where a brief meet-and-greet with all campus sororities takes place.

Afterward potential new members are involved in house tours where they receive a physical glimpse into the sorority life. It offers a chance to learn more about individual chapters.

The process escalates to skit/philanthropy round where PNMs get to know the unique values and personality of each sorority. Lastly the preference round allows for deeper meaningful conversations with members and is the most serious and formal of all rounds.

Enduring the recruitment process requires extensive preparation and strategy such as familiarizing oneself with each round’s expectations learning how to connect with members during conversations and understanding the evolving dress code.

It’s essential to remember that while recruitment is a significant component of Greek life it’s not the complete sorority experience. Sororities offer a host of additional opportunities such as an active involvement in philanthropic endeavors valuable networking and academic support to name a few that go beyond the rush itself.

The Crush Method

Sorority recruitment often referred to as sorority rush is often likened to shows such as The Bachelor. Just like the show the process revolves around making a strong impression and developing connections throughout each round.

One approach meant to increase chances of getting a bid is referred to as the “Crush Method”. The crush method is about effectively positioning oneself to achieve Rush Crush Status.

This involves establishing a strong presence up front often starting even before the recruitment process begins.

Steps in the Crush Method include:

• Registering early for recruitment events using proper forms available at the Panhellenic website.
• Building relationships with the members of each sorority on your campus.
• Maintaining a public Instagram presence where you can interact with chapter members.

Release Figure Methodology (RFM)

The Release Figure Methodology or RFM is an important component in the recruitment process. It is used by sororities to determine the number of invitations they can extend in each stage of the recruitment.

During the process potential new members (or PNMs) will visit a different number sororities for each round. However in most cases they are not invited to the maximum number of sororities; typically this falls between 30-70% of the maximum invites.

This is largely due to the RFM.

It is the technical aspect of how recruitment works from the side of the sororities. This methodology helps ensure a fair and balanced recruitment process so that every PNM has a chance to be seen and considered.

Day	Number of sororities visiting
Round 1	10
Round 2	7
Round 3	4
Bid Day	1

It is vital to keep in mind that the RFM is a guideline used by sororities and the number of sororities visiting each day can vary particularly in larger universities or southern universities where Greek life is very robust.

Getting On Each Sorority’s Radar

Starting your journey in Greek life means getting yourself noticed by sororities during recruitment. It’s similar to the process on TV shows like The Bachelor where young women compete for attention.

You want to be a noticeable candidate just as a contestant would on the show.

One way to achieve this is to start by registering for sorority recruitment on your university or Panhellenic website. When filling out the registration form proudly showcase your GPA leadership roles passions and volunteering experiences.

Small talk is crucial. It’s about creating connections.

When you meet chapter members ask questions about sisterhood philanthropic events academic support and more. Show them how you can be an asset to their community.

During the academic term before recruitment starts informally meet with members. This can be done through planned activities or by simply visiting each chapter.

Also keep an active and public presence on your social media profiles like Instagram Twitter and Facebook.

Recommendation Letters

Another great way to get on a sorority’s radar is by obtaining recommendation letters. Just like applying for a job these references from alumnae or current sorority members can lend you an upper hand during recruitment.

This letter is usually written by a sorority alumna (could be your mom grandma aunt or even a family friend). It’s not a constant requirement but it can be a value-added part of your application across universities particularly in certain southern universities.

A good recommendation letter will shine a light on your academic accomplishments leadership roles community services and personal character. It’s an overlooked part but could be a deciding factor in the extensive process.

Make sure the letter is sent before the start of the rush to ensure it is factored into the sorority’s decision-making process. As you plan your journey into the world of sorority rush work navigating these key aspects will bring you one step closer to your dream sorority.