WHAT IS RECRUITMENT LIKE?
FALL RECRUITMENT
Fall recruitment is a formal process that is both values-based and a mutual selection. Registration is required to participate in formal recruitment. You can find the registration link at the top of this page, by clicking the "Register Now" button starting on May 1.
By values-based, we mean that each chapter is looking for women who uphold their organizational values and have similar ideals and beliefs. We also mean that you should expect for conversations to focus on what is truly important to you and makes you unique.
By mutual selection, we mean that both the organizations and potential new members have a say in this process. It is never solely the chapters’ decision on who to invite to be members. It also isn’t fully the choice of potential new members. Together, chapters and potential new members are working to find the best fit for everyone.
Potential new members (PNMs) will visit each sorority, over the course of 2 days, during the first round of formal recruitment (3 on day 1 & 3 on day 2) to meet each chapter and learn more about what makes them unique. At the end of this round, PNMs will input their preferences of which organizations they would most like to visit the next day. Our recruitment follows a 6-4-2-1 schedule: you will visit 6 chapters during Round 1, up to 4 chapters during Round 2, and up to 2 chapters during Preference Round (Round 3). On Bid Day (the Saturday before the start of the fall semester), PNMs will return to the Student Union to learn which sorority has offered them an invitation to membership!
Information regarding Fall 204 recruitment will be shared via email with those who complete registration. Information will also be shared via the Panhellenic Instagram throughout the summer - @uofusororities
SPRING RECRUITMENT
Recruitment in the spring is still a mutual-selection process, but it is not formal. The College Panhellenic Council will organize a "sorority fair" for those organizations participating in spring recruitment, but after that it is up to individual chapters to plan and promote events. Please note that due to how total chapter membership works, not all sororities are guaranteed to be able to recruit in the spring. The fall is the best time to maximize your options!
YOU DO HAVE TO REGISTER
There is a fee - $60 per registration. The primary recruitment process has many moving parts and we have to prepare in advance to welcome every woman to the process; registration opens on May 1 and will close August 11th
To guarantee early move-in to on-campus housing on August 11th, students must register by July 28th. If registered by July 28th, then you're early arrival is confirmed and no further action is necessary.
Students who register after July 28th, will move-in to their residence halls during the regular move-in period beginning August 13th. Those students may still participate in sorority recruitment, but housing accommodations will not be provided until August 13th.
PRIMARY RECRUITMENT TAKES PLACE PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASSES FOR THE FALL SEMESTER
Primary recruitment will occur prior to the start of the Fall Semester, August 12th - 17th, and those participating are expected to be present for the entirety of the recruitment process. If you are unable to be present during this time period prior to the start of the semester, we suggest considering joining in the spring or the following fall. Recruitment is all about conversations and making connections—you need to be in person for this. Fall 2024 sorority recruitment will be a fully in-person experience.
YOU DO NOT NEED LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN RECRUITMENT
We promise—while letters of reference might be important at other colleges and universities, our sorority members are much more interested in getting to know you. Think of it like this: if you know a sorority alumna who is a member of one of our organizations, her letter will be a great first step in meeting her sorority but only a baby step. And if you don’t know any sorority women, don’t stress. (If you are having letters of recommendation written on your behalf, sorority alumnae should follow their organization’s submission process; the College Panhellenic and Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life do not accept letters submitted to them.)
THE DRESS CODE FOR RECRUITMENT
There is a dress code, but nothing too out of the ordinary. For the first round, think denim shorts/skirts, a t-shirt, and comfortable shoes. Round two is a little dressier but something like a summer dress, romper, or jumpsuit will be great. Preference round (round 3) is the most formal of the week—picture a trendy black dress or similar and functional shoes.
Is there a limit on how many women can join sororities in the fall?
Absolutely not! While most organizations have similar new member class sizes, this is due to how the recruitment process works. The more women who participate in the recruitment process only increases the number those new member classes could be. If every women not in a sorority registers for formal recruitment, it is possible all of those women could join!
RECRUITMENT COUNSELORS
You will have 4-5 Recruitment Counselors (current sorority women) who will lead you through the recruitment process and make sure you feel prepared and ready to go.
WHAT DO I TALK ABOUT DURING RECRUITMENT?
We will give you resources and examples of things to talk about and expect to come up during recruitment conversations. Our sorority women will lead these conversations as you are their guest and they want to get to know you! (But don’t forget, you have to feel at home with them too.)
FALL RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Fall recruitment works like a funnel: during round one you meet all six NPC affiliated chapters, during round two you’ll return to and continue the conversation with up to four chapters, and during preference round you will spend a final period of time with up to two chapters.
You will also have the opportunity to connect with and learn more about each of the Associate Chapters throughout this process.
STILL NOT SURE...
Fall recruitment isn’t for everyone—maybe you don’t like the super organized, structured process, maybe you feel you aren’t ready to join a sorority yet, whatever the reason is totally okay. You can join our sorority community when it makes the most sense for you. Spring recruitment is much less structured, but we can’t guarantee which chapters will recruit each spring.
SIGNING BIDS
At the conclusion of the recruitment process, participants may receive an invitation for membership - also known as a bid. Students will only receive one membership invitation, and the choice to accept that invitation is completely up to you. Please know, the sorority where you feel at home might not be where your best friend feels most at home, that’s okay!
If you choose to accept the membership invitation, you may not accept an invitation from another organization until the next formal recruitment process the following fall.
THERE IS A COST TO MEMBERSHIP
Fraternity and sorority members are responsible for dues to the chapter. These dues are used to pay for community service and philanthropic projects, social events, membership development events, chapter house usage (if applicable), organizational attire, parent/family and alumni events, insurance and national fees, as well as general chapter expenses. If a student accepts an invitation to join, they may be asked to sign a membership and financial responsibilities agreement. Students are encouraged to review all agreements carefully and discuss them with their parents or support networks before making a decision.
Membership Dues Average Cost: $1000 - $1500+ (can vary by semester)
Dues can be either all inclusive, pay as you go, or a combination of both. Dues tend to be higher during the first-semester of membership due to joining fee's related to insurance, initiation materials, headquarters expenses, etc.
Please reach out for any questions or more information about Fraternity & Sorority Life at the University of Utah.
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