UMD Sorority Recruitment 101

During your first semester at University of Maryland, it seems that Greek letters are ubiquitous on campus. Over time, you start to recognize the difference between a phi and a theta or a delta and a lambda. The letters implicate a reputation, especially when there are fifteen Panhellenic sororities on campus to sort through. While it may seem intimidating, going Greek isn’t as scary as you may think. Here is some basic training to prepare you for rush. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

No matter which Greek sorority you join, every one will be under its umbrella organization, National Panhellenic Council. The NPC assists all twenty-six national sororities along with donating millions to charities. It is also the organization, along with the university, that supports anti-hazing policies. University of Maryland has its own Panhellenic Association (PHA) which has the right to discontinue any sorority that does not obey its anti-hazing policy. That council will also have its own website to assist potential new members, or girls like yourself, with rush.

There are two types of recruitment: formal and informal. Formal recruitment is the most popular method of joining a sorority; it is made up of many rounds to ensure interest, promote the National Panhellenic Council, and create a strong and tightknit pledge class.

Formal recruitment is a multiple-day process for both sisters and potential new members. The standard rush schedule will be comprised of house tours, philanthropy, skits, preference, and Bid Day. Each round requires a dress code that varies from casual to cocktail, so it is important to check with your rho gamma, or Maryland’s PHA website.

Prior to formal recruitment, a potential new member will receive a recruitment counselor (known as a rho gamma) who is a sorority sister that acts as a representative for Greek life. Her sorority is unknown to her group of potential new members, and she is there to answer all questions without bias. When rush starts, the counselor will bring her group to the first round: house tours.

House tours typically run for two days in order for every girl to visit every sorority. This is where the potential new members learn about each sorority’s values and visit the chapter house. The second round is philanthropy, where potential new members assist a project for that sorority’s charity. This allows girls to bond with the sisters while participating in an activity for the greater good.

The third round entertains potential new members, as the sisters perform skits to establish the personality of the sorority and its members. The fourth round is the final round of rush, known as preference or “pref.” A sister from each sorority hosts a potential new member, and it is the most intimate and of the rounds.

Generally, once each round is finished, potential new members must narrow down the sororities they would like to revisit through ranking.  After the first fifteen sororities are visited, potential new members must rank their top ten sororities. While potential new members are narrowing down their list, so are the sororities. For example, you may pick your top ten choices, but only nine may want you to return. The third round warrants potential new members to narrow that ten or so sororities to six. The final round at Maryland allows potential new members to visit only three sororities; of those three, invitations to join the sororities are extended. This is known as Bid Day.

Once bids are extended, the new members join their sisters and celebrate with their pledge class.

This process is shortened for girls who complete informal recruitment, which occurs during the opposite semester of formal recruitment. For informal recruitment, sororities that did meet their quota (the number of girls that rushed divided by the number of sororities) can extend bids to girls that missed out on formal recruitment. Instead of a long week or multiple weekends spent on rush, sororities have open houses where potential new members can interact with the sisters. Then, a sorority can extend bids to whomever they choose.

Regardless if you choose formal or informal recruitment, rush is a great way to meet people. A senior at the University of Maryland and sister of Sigma Delta Tau, Lexi Neaman explains that rush is “a great way to get a feel for Greek life and find a sorority that’s a perfect fit for you.”

A University of Maryland sophomore and sister of Kappa Delta Taylor Landay adds that “formal recruitment is a great way for potential new members to get a glimpse at each house and find what they are looking for in a sorority. While it is a long process, it is the most effective in finding the best fitting house for these women.”

Rushing is really all about fit and the adage is true that you will wind up where you belong. Even better are the awesome clothes and letters you’ll receive. Dormify has so much swag for twelve sororities, and you can shop here for everything Greek.