How to Get a Pledge Invitation Easily for Greek

Fraternities and sororities are identified by three Greek letters.

In the context of a university experience, the terms "Greek" or "Greek organizations" refer to fraternities or sororities with chapters on that university campus. Active members in a university are often referred to as "collegiates", while students hoping to be accepted into such an organization are called "potential new members". The act of attempting to enter a fraternity or sorority is called either "pledging" or "rushing". Most Greek pledges must pledge to get into a Greek organization, but there are few ways to be invited in easily.

Instructions

1. Ask a friend who is an alum to write the organization a recommendation letter on your behalf to the fraternity or sorority that you are interested in pledging.

2. Get to know someone currently in active membership in the organization. This person can introduce you to the other members and possibly influence the selection process.

3. Start going to the formal parties -- these are the first round of parties in fraternity and sorority houses in the first round of rush season. Find out what each organization is about and who its current members are.

4. Go to the informal parties that constitute the next round of the rush parties. Talk to members of organizations and get to know people.

5. Select your top two or three choices and attend their preference parties: the third round of parties in the rush season. This is where you should really attempt to get to know people in the organization and make sure that they remember you. Essentially, this is networking.

6. Make it clear on your preference card which fraternity or sorority you are most interested in. Speak to its members and let them know your preferences as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Who you know will always help you in life. Treat the rush process in the same way you would treat the process of getting a job. The more positive an impression you make on people, the more easily you will receive that invitation.

• There are often stories in the news of fraternities requiring dangerous or embarrassing rituals for new potential members in order to receive an invitation to join. This is illegal and any fraternity that engages in this behavior will have its presence on campus rescinded. The same goes for drinking; drinking is common among fraternity boys and excessive drinking by fraternity members will result in disciplinary action.

References

• Penn State University: Greek Alphabet & Terminology
• State University: Greek Life on Campus: Fraternities and Sororities