Article: During the period of formal recruitment, most sororities will hold a number of events in order to get to know potential new recruits and showcase their sorority. Typically, these events are divided into rounds where you will meet with a number of different sororities during each round. You should attend events at multiple different sororities in order to get a feel for how the sorority works and the types of activities they engage in. This will help you make a decision regarding which sorority to join. For instance, you may be interested in joining a sorority that places a large emphasis on social activities. Some sororities place academic events ahead of throwing parties. By attending events at multiple sororities, you will be able to find one that matches your priorities. Generally, each night of recruitment will grow more formal, starting with a simple jeans and polo outfit to a more formal/cocktail dress event near the end. While appearance is definitely not the most important thing that sororities will be looking for, pride in appearance and self confidence will definitely give you an edge. In order to make sure that you are dressed appropriately for each event, or round, ask about dress codes at the Panhellenic office. Alternately, you could ask your recruitment councillor for wardrobe advice! It is a good idea to meet with lots of women during the recruitment period. This way, you will get to know some of the people involved in each sorority. By meeting with individuals from each of the sororities you are interested in joining, you will get a better idea of how you will fit into that social circle. For example, you may really like the sorority activities, but find that you have little in common with many of the sisters. You are going to be spending a lot of time with these people throughout your college career so it is important that you get along with them. Remember when you are meeting with members of each sorority that they are trying to sell you a specific experience and brand. You should always be yourself in these situations and assess how you fit with other members of the sorority. Always be polite and thank the individuals you met for their help and guidance. This will help them remember you and may give you a better chance of being accepted into the sorority. During the recruitment period, it is a good idea to ask questions about the sorority in order to decide if you are a good fit. When you join a sorority, you are making a huge commitment and it is important that you have weighed all the options and decided upon the sorority that is best for you. Some questions to consider are: How will I benefit from membership in this sorority? Can you describe an ideal member in your sorority? Are there are leadership opportunities available for me? If so, what do they entail? How long is the new member (or pledging) period and what is the time commitment? How much does membership cost? Does this sorority have a housing option for sisters to live together? Sorority's can be fairly pricey and will add multiple extra expenses to your academic year. For example, membership dues, for a single semester, can cost up to $1,000. There will also be additional costs such as shirts, pins, event tickets etc. If cost is important to you, look for a sorority that is affordable and fits your budget. After each round of events you attend during the recruitment period, you should make a list ranking the sororities. This list can be adjusted after each round of events. You can narrow down the list once you have determined which chapters are the best fit for you. In the final round of recruitment, called preference, you will only visit your top ranked sororities and will typically get to spend quite a bit of time with each of them. Make sure you ask specific and detailed questions in order to help you make your final decision. By this point of recruitment, you will already have a good idea about the costs and time commitments associated with each sorority, so you may want to ask about specific events, opportunities, and philanthropy. For example, you may want to ask how many people have received jobs through their connections with the sorority, or if the sorority provides members with education regarding sexual harassment and consent. At the end of the recruitment period, you may or may not receive bids to join certain sororities or chapters. If you receive multiple bids, you will need to weigh the options and decide which chapter is best for you. Choose the sorority that best complements your personality, goals, and expected level of interaction. For example, did you find that you made a personal connection with any of the sorority sisters during the recruitment stage? Did you find that one sorority held multiple events that align with your interests and values? Some sororities cater their activities specifically to certain populations. For example, Alpha Kapa Alpha and Lambda Theta Alpha, focus primarily on African American and Latin populations respectively. This is something you may want to take into consideration when choosing a sorority.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Attend events at several different sororities. Dress appropriately for each event. Talk with as many sorority sisters as possible during recruitment. Ask questions to find out more information. Consider the cost. Make a list of your favourite sororities. Assess your bids.