FAQ
Sorority Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions
What will being in a sorority do for me?
Leadership opportunities
Life long friendships
Sisterhood
Opportunity to give back to the community through service
Emphasis on scholarship
Social Opportunities
Everlasting memories
Networking opportunities to connect with national chapter members from across the country and internationally
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What is Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment?
Recruitment is a week long series of events, coordinated by the LMU Greek Council, where the chapters get to know you, and you get to know the women of each chapter. Panhellenic sorority recruitment is a mutual selection process that is filled with activities designed to offer prospective members the chance to learn about the Panhellenic sororities in a concentrated period of time. It is an opportunity for students to meet the sorority members, ask questions, and define financial obligations, time commitments, and membership requirements. Whether or not you decide to join a Panhellenic sorority, recruitment is a great way to meet people and get acquainted with life at LMU.
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How much does sorority recruitment cost and where does the money go?
The registration fee is $45. Once you complete the online registration, the site transfers you to GreekBill.com for payment with a credit card. Recruitment fees pay for refreshments during recruitment, an informational book on sororities, food and recognition for the Sigma Rho Chis, and administrative costs.
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What is a Sigma Rho Chi?
A Sigma Rho Chi, or Sorority Recruitment Counselor, is a woman who is already a member of a sorority who will help you through the recruitment process by answering questions, and guiding you through the exciting events of the week. They will remain disaffiliated from their sorority during recruitment, enabling them to remain impartial. Every Potential New Member (any woman going through the recruitment process) will be assigned to a group of about 15 women led by a Sigma Rho Chi.
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What is Formal Recruitment Week?
Formal Recruitment Week is designed for you to get to know the 6 Panhellenic sororities at LMU. Each day will consist of 3-6 recruitment parties hosted by each chapter; the groups will rotate so they can attend all 6 parties. These activities help the potential new members and the sorority members acquaint themselves with one another. During recruitment functions, potential new members will be able to talk one-on-one with sorority members to assist them in finding the right sorority for them.
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What is the time commitment for Formal Recruitment Week?
Each night of recruitment will last approximately 4-6 hours and it is strongly encouraged that you attend every night of recruitment; however academic commitments, such as class or internships must come first. Every effort has been made to avoid conflicts with class time. The majority of events happen on the weekends. If there is a class conflict, please discuss this with your Sigma Rho Chi. For a complete schedule of recruitment events, please click here.
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What is Preference Night?
Preference night, or Pref Night, signals the end of Formal Recruitment. This day is more serious than the other days and will consist of traditional ceremonies very dear to the sisters. Further details about Preference Night will be discussed in groups by your Sigma Rho Chi during recruitment.
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What is Bid Day?
Bid Day is the last event of Formal Recruitment where Potential New Members receive their invitation, or bid, to join a Panhellenic sorority and Potential New Members get to meet their new sorority sisters. This is the most exciting evening of formal recruitment.
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Do I need to register to be a part of Recruitment?
Yes. The registration may be found online here; there is also a link on www.LMUGreekLife.com website. Registration is available through the deadline, which is January 21st at Midnight. No late applications will be accepted. The $45 registration fee is non-refundable.
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What should I expect my recruitment days to be like?
Recruitment can definitely be tiring both physically and emotionally. However, it is really up to you to decide how positive a recruitment experience you will have. A good attitude and an open mind are vital. Remember that even though small talk may become tedious and repetitive, every chapter visit is a new experience. Approach even the last chapter of the day with an open mind and good attitude; it could be the right one for you!
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How do sororities decide who to invite back each party?
As the number of parties is reduced round to round, so is the number of women each sorority is allowed to invite back. Everyone who participates in recruitment has something different to offer a sorority, but sororities must release some potential new members, just as you will have to make decisions about some sororities. In deciding which potential new member to invite back and which to dismiss, each chapter has its own process. All chapters have their own scholarship standards to be met. Great lengths are taken by chapters to ensure a fair process and equal consideration for each potential new member. Additional concerns should be addressed with your Sigma Rho Chi.
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What should I talk about at the recruitment parties?
It is important for you to be yourself during recruitment and let the conversation flow naturally. The sororities are presenting themselves to you just as you are presenting yourself to them. The conversation should go both ways. Asking questions is encouraged. As you go from one day to the next, conversations will become more in-depth and involved. Remember that you have to narrow your choice of sororities each round. Therefore, collect enough information to comfortably make these decisions.
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What if I am shy?
There are a lot of shy people out there but this should not hinder your recruitment experience. Remember, there are members of the chapters who are shy too, and you are not alone. Every sorority wants members with a variety of personalities. Each member of a sorority contributes their individual talents to the chapter. Just keep in mind that it is up to you to present yourself to each sorority. Smile and feel free to talk; the members want to get to know you as best they can. There is no reason to feel insecure. Sororities want to impress you just as much as you want to impress them.
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What if I have trouble choosing between certain chapters?
Difficult decisions are a common dilemma. Potential new members, however, shouldn’t look at this as a problem. Most women would probably be happy at several sororities on campus. Besides, keep in mind that sororities have to make decisions too. Think carefully and look objectively at what each sorority has to offer. A sorority should be a second home, a place where you feel totally comfortable and welcome. Your intuition, experiences at each party, personal goals and desires should guide you to the group that is right for you.
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I have heard that sororities have various reputations. How do I handle this information?
The only opinion of a chapter that should matter is yours. Each chapter is different from campus to campus and from year to year. If you allow someone else’s perception to influence you, you might not be satisfied with your choices during recruitment. Remember that each chapter is made up of many different women with different talents and qualities that compose the entire group. If you hear derogatory remarks about any sorority or any woman in the group, please disregard those comments as inappropriate and unethical to the Panhellenic spirit. You can direct further questions or problems to your Sigma Rho Chi.
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What is a legacy?
A Legacy is a Potential New Member who has a mother, grandmother, or sister who is/was a member of a sorority while in college. Legacies may be given special consideration by the chapters that their female family member(s) are affiliated with, but they are never guaranteed membership in that particular sorority. At LMU, we reaffirm the statement that legacies are not given automatic invitations to become members. We suggest every woman in Membership Recruitment have an open mind toward all of our sororities.
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If I am a legacy to a sorority, is there anything special I should know?
Each potential new member is considered on an individual basis; legacies are no more obligated to join a particular sorority than the sorority is obligated to pledge her. The potential new member and the sorority are looking for happiness and compatibility, not a family connection to the group. You will also be able to indicate your legacy status when you register online.
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What if during recruitment week I discover that I am not ready to commit to sorority life?
A potential new member is never obligated to join a sorority. For various reasons, if you would not like to continue with formal recruitment, you may choose to withdrawal. If you withdraw prior to receiving a bid on Bid Day, you are eligible to participate in continuous open bidding, better known as Informal Recruitment. Informal Recruitment continues throughout the academic year and through the fall semester. If during recruitment week, you decide that you no longer want to participate in formal recruitment, you should discuss these feelings with your Sigma Rho Chi who will help you through the process.
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What if I turn down the bid I receive on Bid Day?
If you receive a bid from a chapter on Bid Day, and decide not to accept it, you will not be able to participate in continuous open bidding for one calendar year. You will be eligible to participate in formal recruitment the following year.
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Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
LMU requires that anyone participating in recruitment not be on academic probation and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA with 12 units completed. Please be advised that every sorority has established its own academic requirements, some of which are significantly higher than the LMU requirement. Many chapters follow the guidelines set by their inter/national organizations when deciding to offer invitations and bids. It is also important to note that very few grade exceptions are made by each chapter. Potential new members who do not meet a chapter's academic requirements are released early in the recruitment process to allow them the opportunity to explore other alternatives. However, grades are considered throughout the entire process.
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What is the difference between NPC, NPHC and NALFO sororities?
This can be confusing to many people inside and outside of the Greek community. NPC is the National Panhellenic Council, which is the national body that governs what most consider "traditional" sororities. These chapters at LMU are Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi.
The NPHC stands for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing national body comprised of historically African-American fraternities and sororities. LMU has two chapters that are NPHC affiliated: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
NALFO stands for the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, the umbrella council for Latino fraternities. LMU has one NALFO chapter: Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc.
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What should I wear to recruitment events?
Each day and events during Formal Recruitment have different dress code recommendations. This information will be covered at Formal Recruitment Orientation on Thursday, January 21st in St. Rob's Auditorium.
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