Collegiate Recruitment

Recruitment does not need to be intimidating! The journey itself will be memorable as it is not only a way to discover which organization is for you, but also an opportunity to take the first steps into your Panhellenic experience. Potential new members (PNMs) are assigned to a group, and many of the PNMs may end up at different organizations in the end. But that friendships made will last, just like the new sisterhood you are looking to experience.

Each campus is different, but most will have recruitment counselors to help you and your assigned group of PNMs through the recruitment rounds, which are themed events such as philanthropy and sisterhood. During these events, PNMs learn more about the values, traditions, programs and expectations of the individual sororities.

But first, there are a few steps that should be taken prior to the start of recruitment (and many times, before school even starts). Here is a simple guide and recommendation to begin the journey!

  • Register with your college or university for recruitment. Interested members should register with the college or university fraternity and sorority life office. Each campus has individual rules and procedures; there may be a deadline and most of the time there will be a fee. It is important to register as soon as possible to ensure deadlines are met. 
  • Prepare a resume. Things to include would be your full name and contact information (include your home and campus address, if known), high school address and information (including class rank, GPA, SAT/ACT scores), honors/awards and activities, community activities, jobs held, hobbies, etc. Include any Greek-affiliated members of your family, including fraternities (this includes parents, cousins, aunts/uncles and siblings). Attach a recent casual picture of yourself. Pictures are not a requirement but highly recommended. It is suggested if you choose to include a picture it should be recently taken showing you as you would look during recruitment. The sorority members will use the picture to identify you during recruitment.
  • Research the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations. Visit the website, as well as the individual sororities websites, to learn about their values, philanthropic pursuits and successes. Become familiar with those sororities on your intended campus. This knowledge will enable you to ask good questions based on your interests and ultimately make an informed decision about your sorority membership, as well as help when requesting recruitment introduction recommendations.
  • Obtain a recruitment introduction recommendation (ie. Letter of Reference or Recommendation). This is a letter prepared by an alumna to the collegiate chapter introducing you to her group. It is best to have a personal connection with the alumna, therefore it is to your advantage to network among family, friends, teachers, and acquaintances to let them know you plan to participate in the recruitment process and secure your own references. A few things to keep in mind about the letters:
  1. The alumna writing the recommendation does not need to be a graduate of the college you will attend. She only needs to be a member of a sorority with a chapter on that campus.
  2. When asking for a reference, present your resume and photo to the alumna so that it can be included with her recommendation.
  3. Every sorority handles references differently, and the use of the recommendations on individual campuses varies even within the same sorority.  It is the responsibility of the alumna to obtain her sorority form, complete and submit it according to her group’s requirements.
  4. If you do not know any women affiliated with the organizations you are looking to pursue, the Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic Association can help.

 

Most importantly, as you participate in recruitment, keep an open mind! You may be set on one organization before you begin, but it you may surprise yourself as you find your home away from home.