Sorority Recruitment: What to Expect & What to Wear

Here Are Tips & Tricks On What to Wear

You are going to want to know what to wear for recruitment. Welcome to Florida Atlantic University recruitment and life as a Potential New Member, or PNM! This is going to be an exciting time in your life when you get to find the chapter you will be spending your undergraduate years at. When preparing for recruitment, you’ll want to get to school prior to the Fall semester as recruitment begins before the start of classes. Over the course of a week, you’ll get to visit six chapters and get to know the sorority women who are a part of them. We’re here to give you a guide of what you can expect during this exciting time.

Orientation

Orientation happens the day before recruitment starts. Though we won’t be there to answer questions physically, you will be assigned a recruitment counselor, otherwise known as a Rho Gamma. The Rho Gamma is someone who is currently a sorority member and has been through recruitment, allowing them to better be able to assist you. They will not tell you which chapter they are a part of to provide you with a completely unbiased perspective should you have questions or concerns during your recruitment experience.

Towards the end, they typically do an ice cream social so the girls can get to know their recruitment group. During recruitment, you’ll be meeting chapter members in different conference rooms as there are no sorority houses at the university. This leads to the chapter dues being much less expensive than you would find at other universities. Prepare for your days to be busy and hectic, so refer to our list of essential items to keep with you throughout the process.

What to wear: This is super casual so girls can wear jeans and sandals or sneakers.

Round One: Sisterhood Round

Round one is known as the sister round. Sisters will discuss the sisterhood in the chapter and basically display all the fun events done all year such as formal, semi-formal, crush party, sisterhoods, socials, etc.

Round 1 is divided into 2 days and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at each chapter. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

This is your opportunity to ask questions about the chapters to begin to get to know them, while also giving the chapter members a glimpse of your personality so they have the opportunity to also get to know you. After visiting all six chapters, you will eliminate one sorority that you feel isn’t the right fit, and place it on your ‘non-favorite’ list.

What to wear: Sundress or romper

Outfits: Macy’s Revolve Amazon

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack Revolve Target

Jewelry: Princess Polly Baublebar

Round Two: Leadership & Scholarship Round

Round 2 is both divided into 2 days. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

When heading back to the recruitment location for the second round, you will receive a list of what sororities you will have on your schedule for the day. This is based on mutual selection – just as you eliminate a chapter, chapters also will release PNM’s if they feel like it is not a good fit. Chapters will showcase their leadership opportunities and the benefits of joining a sorority. Many will discuss their chapter’s GPA, study schedule, study hour requirement. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear: With this round, you can wear a casual skirt, romper, or dress paired with wedges or platform shoes. Make sure whatever you choose, you are comfortable and confident for the day ahead.

Outfits: Lulus Lulus Shein

Shoes: Lulus Nordstrom Rack Nordstrom

Jewelry: Baublebar Free People Anthropologie Nordstrom

Round Three: Service & Philanthropy Round

Before you start the day, you’ll again receive a list of which chapters you will return to. At each chapter, you’ll learn more about a non-profit organization the chapter aligns itself with. Chapters have events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise money and awareness for said organization. You’ll also be speaking to additional members of the chapter to further get to know them and see if you can envision yourself in that chapter. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear: Round three wardrobe is a lot like round two, but think a step dressier. A nice sundress or romper is appropriate for this round paired with platform shoes/wedges. This could be something you would wear to a graduation party or daytime wedding, but again just make sure you are comfortable.

Outfits: Show Me Your Mumu Revolve Lulus

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack Revolve Target

Jewelry: Nordstrom Baublebar Baublebar

Round Four: Preference Round (Prefs)

You made it to the last round of recruitment! Round Four is referred to as Preference Round as you will be making a decision of which sorority you want to be with at the end of recruitment. You’ll visit up to two houses on this day, and will speak to chapter members for longer than the previous rounds; about one hour. You’ll want to share more details about your values and where you envision yourself.

Make sure you get all the information you feel you need and share everything about yourself that you would like to, as this is the final day before bid day. These conversations will give you a better idea of what the girls are like and their reputation. It will also give the sororities a better idea of who you are and your values since they are trying to bring girls in that match the sorority’s values.

What to wear: This is the fanciest round, so we recommend a semi-formal black dress paired with platforms/wedges. Compare this to a dress you would wear to a fancy dinner or graduation ceremony.

Outfits: Lulus Lulus Lulus

Shoes: Lulus Nordstrom Bloomingdales

Jewelry: Nordstrom Baublebar Baublebar

Bid Day

It’s finally here, the day you’ve been waiting for! Today you will receive a bid to one of the chapters you visited during the preference round. Once you open your envelope, you’ll head over to your new sisters and celebrate!

What to wear: You will receive a shirt from the sorority you are selected for and can pair that with jean shorts and comfortable shoes.

Outfits: Lulus American Eagle

Shoes: Revolve Amazon Nordstrom Rack

Find more great outfits, shoes, and jewelry at the stores below. We hope you will look them over.

Congratulations and welcome to Florida Atlantic University Panhellenic!

Lindsay Fine and Catie Kuter, FAU

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