Rush 101

Rush week is an extremely stressful time for everyone involved. Active sorority members are required to be on campus a week or two prior to the start of recruitment which is known as work week. During work week, active members prepare to welcome PNMs into their chapters by decorating their respective houses, preparing speeches, and practicing recruitment strategies. At the same time, PNMs are anxiously awaiting rush and the start of their college career. Most PNMs have prepared for months to participate in the world-wide phenomenon known as Sorority Rush. In this article, we will break down the recruitment process, so you have a better understanding of Auburn University’s panhellenic sorority recruitment.

What is formal recruitment?

Formal recruitment is a large-scale organized recruitment event that all panhellenic sororities participate in. On campus, sororities participate in two types of recruitment: formal recruitment and continuous open bidding. Formal recruitment is the primary way sororities get new members, and this type of recruitment is where sororities secure most of their bids. Formal recruitment happens in the fall, and it takes place over the course of a week before school starts.

What is continuous open bidding?

Continuous open bidding, or COB for short, is an informal spring recruitment process. COB happens when a sorority has not met their new member goal for the year, and they open up their selection process to those who didn’t participate in formal recruitment or those who chose not to pledge the sorority that they received a bid from during formal recruitment. COB is a relaxed informal recruitment process that allows PNMs to meet girls from various sororities in a low-pressure environment.

What is the benefit of formal recruitment over COB?

While COB is a very relaxed way to secure a bid, not many sororities participate in this informal recruitment process. If a sorority secures a large new member class during formal recruitment, they are unlikely to hold a COB recruitment process in the spring. If you are considering joining a sorority, it is best to participate in their formal recruitment process, so you have a better chance at securing a bid.

Why is formal recruitment only for panhellenic sororities?

Panhellenic sororities are the dominant sororities on campus. Sororities get to choose whether to participate in formal recruitment or not. Most big sororities choose to participate in formal recruitment because this type of recruitment brings in the most PNMs. Other sororities choose not to take part in formal recruitment because it requires a lot of money and effort that might not be allotted in their chapter’s budget and schedule. Regardless of a sorority’s participation in panhellenic recruitment, every chapter has a lot to offer, and you should research each sorority’s values prior to participating in any form of recruitment.

What is required for the application for formal recruitment?

Every school is different, but these are the most requested documents for formal

recruitment.

· Good grades: The better your high school GPA is, the more likely that you will be qualified to join all of the sorority chapters. Each sorority places different emphasis on grades, but some sororities will drop girls who do not meet their required GPA. Make sure that you have at least a 2.5 GPA before applying for formal recruitment.

· A social resume & a professional head shot: A social resume is an infographic resume that highlights your extracurricular activities and community involvement. You can also use your social resume to highlight your personal achievements. A social resume also requires a professional headshot. A professional headshot is closeup shot of you against a plain background. This picture is very important because sororities will use this picture to identify you during the selection process.

· Letters of recommendation: These letters are important because they advance your candidacy by providing an individual to speak on your behalf for the sorority. Letters of recommendation are written by alumni of various sororities, and they offer insight on a PNM’s character and how a PNM might display a sorority’s values. Recently, many sororities have been changing their letter of recommendation and legacy policy, but letters of recommendation are still an important way to distinguish yourself from other candidates.

Bid Boosters offers services to make the application process easier. With our social resume design services, a PNM can have a personalized resume made to showcase their individuality and extracurriculars. If you are having trouble finding someone to write your letters of recommendation, then try our letters of recommendation service. We offer personalized letters from alumni for every panhellenic sorority on Auburn’s campus. Click here to learn more.

What is a Pi Chi?

On the first day of formal rush, PNMs will gather together to discuss the schedule for the week in an assembly, and then PNMs will break off into recruitment groups led by a Pi Chi, or a recruitment counselor. These recruitment groups are usually alphabetized by last name and split up accordingly. Pi Chis will act as your tour guide during the recruitment process. Pi Chis are active sorority members who have distanced themselves from their respective sororities to remain neutral and help PNMs during the recruitment process. Pi Chis are in charge of making sure their groups stick to the recruitment schedule, and they provide emotional support and advice for PNMs during stressful times. Pi Chis are an essential part of the recruitment process, so be sure utilize their expertise during formal recruitment.

Why is the first round called Ice Water Teas?

The first round of formal recruitment is called Ice Water Teas because chapters often compete to see who can serve the fanciest non-alcoholic beverage. August is probably the hottest month in Alabama, so chapters take pride in making refreshing drinks to woo PNMs. Since this is the first day of formal recruitment, PNMs get to speak with members from each panhellenic sorority on campus. Ice Water Teas are very important because this round is where first impressions are made and where the most girls get eliminated. Our sorority consultants can help PNMs make the best first impression possible. From practicing answers to recruitment questions to fashion & styling tricks, our consultants can assist in creating the best version of you. Check out our services today.

Why is Philanthropy round important?

The philanthropy round is very important because it gives sororities a chance to talk about their charitable causes. Most chapter members are very passionate about their sorority’s philanthropy. When I rushed, my best friend connected with an active member who’s sorority funded Alzheimer’s research. This round gave my best friend a chance to speak with other people who have witnessed the effects of Alzheimer’s on a beloved family member. The philanthropy round allows PNMs to make personal connections with active members based on a shared community interest. Philanthropy round gives active members the chance to understand your values and your community involvement.

What is Sisterhood round?

Sisterhood round gives sororities the opportunity to express what they love about their sisterhood. Sisterhood round primarily focuses on all of the fun things a sorority does throughout the year along with displaying a sorority’s values. In this round, PNMs can ask active members about their experience in the sorority. In turn, active members can ask PNMs questions to see if they exhibit their sorority’s values. This round is especially important because it is the round before the final round. After sisterhood round, sororities start to make major cuts to narrow down their selection pool.

What is Preference round?

Preference round is the final round of formal recruitment. In this round, a PNM may attend one or two house parties. In preference round, sororities will try to sway a PNM to join their sisterhood. This round is very personal, as sororities will try to make you feel like you are already a part of their sisterhood. This round also lasts the longest, so PNMs are more likely to make a significant connection to the active member that they are speaking with. After preference round, PNMs write down the sorority that they would pledge if offered a bid, and sororities make tough choices when choosing the PNMs that they will offer bids to. PNMs do not find out which house they got into until Bid Day.

What is Bid Day?

Bid Day is the celebratory last day of rush. Recruitment is over, and the PNMs get to open their bid cards. Here, they discover which sorority they have pledged. They meet their new pledge class, and they run home together. Their next adventure as a new member begins.

How can Bid Boosters Help?

Bid Boosters is a company created by sorority girls for sorority girls. Our website offers a number of services designed to make applying for formal recruitment and going through formal recruitment easier. We are not just a rush consultant business; we help with all aspects of rush. Check out our services here, if you want to see just how easy rush can be.