PRIMARY RECRUITMENT FAQs
How do I register for 2024 primary sorority recruitment?
The registration form will be posted on the 2024 Fall Recruitment tab on our website in the form of a Google Form. To register you will need your student ID number, email (preferably your SLU email), and your grade. All grades (incoming freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors) may participate in primary recruitment. You will also be asked why you want to participate in recruitment as an optional question, but it is highly encouraged that you answer it so the recruitment team can get to know you better!
When can I participate in sorority recruitment?
Primary sorority recruitment at SLU is conducted in both the Fall and Spring semesters, after the start of school. 2024 Fall Recruitment week begins Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, and concludes with Bid Day on Saturday, September 21st, 2024. 2024 Spring Recruitment dates are currently TBD but are typically selected by October of the previous Fall semester. If you are unable to participate in either semester’s primary recruitment process but are still interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB).
COB begins immediately following the end of the Primary Recruitment process, on Bid Day. However, not every chapter hosts COB. In order to host COB events, a chapter must be under Chapter Total (i.e. Median Chapter Size). PNMs should reach out to chapters they are interested in to see if they are participating in COB.
Can I go through Recruitment as an upperclassman or transfer student?
Yes. Provided you are a full-time female student at SLU and have not been initiated into an NPC sorority at SLU or on another campus, you may participate in fall Primary Recruitment.
Is there a required GPA to go through Recruitment?
Yes, there is a minimum GPA requirement of 2.6. However, note that chapters may require a higher GPA for recruitment consideration. (For example, Alpha Alpha Alpha may require a minimum GPA of 2.7 for bid consideration.)
Does participation in Primary Recruitment guarantee a bid for membership?
No. Although majority of the women participating in Primary Recruitment are invited to join a chapter at the end of recruitment, it is possible to go through recruitment and not pledge a sorority. The national average for women receiving a bid during primary recruitment is 79%. Recruitment is a process of mutual selection, and as such, there are many different outcomes to this process. Typically, approximately 4-8% of women participating in Recruitment voluntarily withdraw themselves from the process during the week, choosing not to continue participating in Recruitment, even though they have chapters available to attend. Each sorority at SLU has their own membership criteria, oftentimes dictated by their national organization, which they use to make their selections.
What is the MRABA?
The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), is a one-year binding agreement signed by a potential new member when ranking chapters after the final round of Preference events during the Primary Recruitment process. Prior to signing the MRABA, PNMs have several options to consider and reflect on with regard to membership options.
A PNM may choose not to complete the MRABA, thereby withdrawing from primary recruitment. If a PNM chooses this option, she is eligible to accept a bid for membership from any sororities participating in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). However not guaranteed, a small number of sororities may be able to recruit a limited number of women through the COB process after primary recruitment, if their chapter is below Panhellenic Total (I.e. Average Chapter Size).
A PNM may choose to list any sorority whose preference event she attended and from whom she is willing to accept an invitation to membership (a bid). PNMs should NOT rank any sorority on her final selection that she is absolutely not willing to accept a bid for membership. If a PNM matches with a sorority that she listed on her MRABA, regardless of whether she accepts the invitation for membership or not, she is bound to that sorority for one calendar year (365 days), and is not eligible participate in COB or accept a bid from another NPC chapter until the next primary recruitment period.
A PNM may choose to list only one or two preferences, but she must understand that by choosing to single intentional preference that she is not guaranteed to receive a bid for membership. Only potential new members who maximize their options and list ALL of the chapters that they attended during the Preference Round are guaranteed to receive a bid for membership, although it may not be their top choice. If a PNM does not receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any of the sororities that she listed on her MRABA, then she is eligible to participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB).
What if I received a bid during recruitment and have since decided to decline it?
If, at the conclusion of Primary Recruitment, a PNM receives a bid to a chapter that she listed on her MRABA and later decides to declines it, she is still bound to the chapter for one calendar year (365 days) or until the next primary recruitment period, meaning she cannot participate in COB and/or accept a bid for membership to another NPC sorority.
What should I expect to receive after registering for Recruitment?
After completing registration, you will receive a confirmation email from the Panhellenic Recruitment Team.
Does the University need a copy of my final high school or college transcript?
Yes! If you have not already done so, you will need to request that a final copy of your high school or college transcript be sent to the Office of Admissions. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that SLU has your FINAL high school and/or college transcript. In order to verify the academic standing of all Potential New Members, the Office of Greek Life will request a grade report from the Office of Admissions and the University Registrar, which will be shared with all the chapters participating in primary recruitment. Please note that all the sororities at SLU will ONLY recognize the Grade Point Average (GPA) on listed file as the OFFICIAL recognized GPA for all students.