How to Join a Sorority or Fraternity

Joining a sorority or fraternity is a great way to get to know people with common interests, form a support structure for academics, and get involved with campus activities, leadership opportunities and community service.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blazers
• Blouses
• Dresses
• Handbags
• Men's Dress Shirts
• Mens' Dress Pants
• Women's Blazers
• Women's Dress Pants
• Academic Counselings
• Ironing Boards
• Irons
• Makeup Kits
• Calendars
• Personal Organizers
• Backpacks
• Blouses

1. Sign up for rush. This is the time when sororities and fraternities invite potential members to come look at their houses. Women usually have to visit every house before they choose, while men can usually select the houses they want to visit beforehand.

2. Visit all the houses. Talk with some of the members at each one and see what they have to say about their house and the people who live in it.

3. Ask what kinds of activities the house participates in. Do they do community service or have formals, social events and other activities? Are you interested in the activities they provide?

4. Find out what it's like to live in the house.

5. Determine which houses have people who share your interests - people you'd like to get to know better.

6. Mark your choices on a ballot when it's time to choose. This will be provided by the houses and will tell you how to list your favorites.

7. Submit your choices to the rush board. The board will notify you if one of the houses you selected would like you to join.

8. Go to the house that selects you to get information about what tasks and chores, if any, you must perform for that house in order to actually join.

Tips & Warnings

• When the pledge period is over, you will become an active member with all the rights and privileges of any other member.
• Be yourself. You want to find a house that you will be comfortable in.
• If you miss the formal pledge period, you can still attend continuous open bidding (COB) events for some houses. This occurs when the houses have not gotten as many pledges as they can accommodate, and continue holding informal events to look for new members.
• Some sorority and fraternity chapters may not have their own houses. Think about whether you would prefer to live with the other members of your chapter or have the freedom to live elsewhere.

[deezeelove]

on 2/25/2009 To the comment about sororities "require(ing) their members to adhere to personal appearance and grooming standards, such as maintaining a healthy weight range, keeping your nails and toes manicured, hair cuts maintained, dressing appropriately, etc" I have to STRONGLY disagree. Coming from a tom-boy kinda girl I hardly wear makeup I dress in jeans and a hoodie for class and during finals or 8 am's I wear sweat pants..usually the ones I roll out of bed in. I have messy curly BROWN hair and would never judge one of my sisters on her looks alone.To brittneyeguakun, my advice to you is to actually talk to sorority members on your campus. Hopefully, they will provide an accurate description of what greek life is. In truth there are the "bad" chapters out there so be aware. Its chapters that make being greek 10x harder because the shine such a negative light on something that has so much pote

[brittneyeguakun]

on 7/11/2007 i was wondering if any of you could answer a few questions for me,im doing a research paper on how to join a sorority,not just for the paper but also for myself for when i sign up for rush in the spring semester of 2008.

on 8/8/2006 Keep in mind that sororities and fraternities are looking for people who will not only fit in, but contribute positively to the organization. Your grades, campus involvement, and yes - your appearance - will factor into this consideration.

Most sororities have a GPA requirement that must be met in order to pledge and to remain a member. Many sororities also require their members to adhere to personal appearance and grooming standards, such as maintaining a healthy weight range, keeping your nails and toes manicured, hair cuts maintained, dressing appropriately, etc. If you do not want to have to be at your best every day, then being in most sororities may not be for you. It's a bit like being a pro cheerleader - you will be critiqued on a regular basis and expected to be at your most attractive while maintaining the best grades possible and attending many social events and being involved in campus. It requires a lot of discipline and the ability to juggle all of your priorities well. It's not the constant party that some might think, but it is fun and you can get a lot out of it.

on 11/22/2005 Going Greek is a big decision. If you don't feel comfortable doing it right at the beginning (when everything is brand new in college), wait and do it the next semester. I waited until I got things under control and was looking for an additional outside group to join. As someone else said, move through the stereotypes, name calling, and the like. Many national offices do not put up with several stereotypical Greek activities. It will take some time and money. You get out of it what you put into it. Greek life can be a familiar face across campus to the members of your bridal party, it's up to you.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you have somethings ready to ask your host at a rush party - they can be anything from what type of social events do they hold, to philanthropic work, to how much it will cost. Also, if you feel you should worry about being hazed or forced to drink, ask you host what their organization's hazing and/or alcohol policies are like. There are many groups who follow these policies to the letter and will be able to tell you alot about it. In addition, base your decision on where you feel at home. I know it sounds antiquated, but you will regret your decision if you end up somewhere that you can't be yourself - even if it is the most popular house on campus.