Fraternities and sororities go through a process called recruitment to grow and find new members. Details can vary from chapter to chapter, but here we will overview some general vocabulary and steps to familiarize yourself with before joining a Greek-letter organization.
1. Getting to know a chapter
Chapters want to make sure that you have the values that they prioritize. Each semester, the chapters host a week of daily events called Recruitment Week or Rush Week. This week of events is specifically designed so that chapter can meet new people and find people who might be a good fit in their chapter. Chapters also host events outside this time for Continuous Recruiting and those are great ways to get to know a chapter. Recruitment Week is when the majority of people meet the chapters for the first time, which is held during the first week of the semester.
It's important during this step that you are authentic to yourself to ensure you find the chapter with the best fit for your values and future goals.
2. Getting a bid
Once a chapter thinks you're a good fit, they will reach out to you and offer you an invitation to join. This is called a bid. Bids are exciting and can be an excellent time to ask about financial commitments, time commitments, what everyone is like, and other logistical details of being in the organization. Some chapters allow for bid deferrals if you need or want more time to decide, so ask about that potential option.
3. Joining!
If you accept your bid, congrats! You are now a part of a fraternity or sorority. Most chapters have a special program of orientation and probationary membership, called being a New Member or Associate Member. This process looks different at every chapter, so ask about it before accepting your bid. This time period exists so both yourself and the chapter can ensure it is a good fit since you typically join a Greek-letter organization for life!