College Panhellenic Council (CPH) Sorority Recruitment

Interested in joining a College Panhellenic Council (CPH) sorority? 

Registration for Fall 2025 Panhellenic Primary Recruitment is OPEN! 

Click here to register for recruitment!

Follow @etsupanhellenic to stay up to date on recruitment information!

If you have any questions, please email etsupanhellenic@etsu.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Panhellenic Recruitment 

• When will sorority recruitment be?

  • Thursday, August 28, 2025 Potential New Member Orientation
  • Friday, August 29, 2025 - Open House Round
  • Saturday, August 30, 2025 - Sisterhood Round
  • Sunday, August 31st, 2025 - Preference Round
  • Monday, September 1st, 2025 - Bid Day

  Panhellenic primary sorority recruitment participants, also known as "Potential New Members" or "PNMs" must attend all rounds on their individual schedule to remain eligible for recruitment. Thursday includes an orientation in the evening. Friday events start after classes end. Saturday will start in time for all participants to attend the home football game.

• What material will I need to have prepared for my recruitment registration?

  The recruitment registration application asks for some personal information, like name, ETSU email, and E Number. There are two things that are needed that may be considered "extra," a photo of yourself (headshot-style or personality photo) and a resume is extremely helpful. The form takes about 10 - 15 minutes to complete.
• What is the structure for recruitment?

  • Open House Round: Opportunity to meet all chapters. You will make your first selections after attending all rounds.
  • First Invitational Round: Through the mutual selection process, women can be invited back to up to four chapters. 
  • Preference Invitational Round: Through the mutual selection process, women can be invited back to up to two chapters. After your last preference event, you will complete a form called the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA).
  • Bid Day: Potential new members who have been matched with a sorority will receive their bid invitation this day. 

  Through this process, you will have your own team of "Rho Gammas" or Recruitment Guides who will answer any questions you have and help you navigate each step. Rho Gammas are assigned after you register for recruitment.

• What are the expectations or rules for recruitment?

  We expect potential new members to tell us if they have any conflicts preventing them from participating in any recruitment event. If you work, please consider asking for time off during recruitment as we are unable to guarantee a schedule. 

  Potential new members should be prepared to commit time to their sorority experience while they are an undergraduate student at ETSU.

  Every potential new member should be aware of and capable of paying the financial membership dues expenses each semester. Dues information will be provided during Open House round.

• Who is eligible to participate in Panhellenic sorority recruitment?

  The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) requires that students eligible for Panhellenic sorority recruitment are full-time enrolled, regularly matriculated students. This means that dual enrollment students are not eligible for sorority recruitment.

  The eligibility requirements for NPC sororities beyond that one stipulation vary by organization and by campus. The minimum expectations for our five chapters at ETSU are 2.5 GPA or higher (high school or college) and some community service or leadership involvement prior to coming to ETSU, recognition and the means to cover the financial commitment, and the willingness to spend a dedicated amount of time (3-10 hours depending on leadership positions) with their sorority each week.

• What will a student get out of joining a fraternity or sorority organization that they won't get from other groups?

  Fraternity and sorority organizations are a great way to get involved and build relationships and allows for students to make an easier transition into college life. For many students, fraternity and sorority life becomes a home away from home. Lifelong friendships and memories are established. Fraternity and sorority life supports the college mission and upholds important values.
• How much time will a student have to put into sorority?

  Like most things in life, one will get out whatever they put into their organization. The first year in a sorority will take a little more time to learn about its history, organization and membership. Participating in activities to get to know the other members is a good way to enjoy the benefits of a sorority as well as meet new people. After the first year, students have usually figured out how much time they can put into the group without sacrificing their other commitments. During the remaining years on campus, a student can choose to participate more in their organization. This often means taking on leadership roles in their chapter.
• Can I be a part of other organizations on campus if I join?

  Many sorority women are also involved in campus organizations outside of the Panhellenic community; ranging from athletics to academic clubs and everything in between!
• What is the GPA expectation?

  When you register for recruitment, you authorize FSL staff to check your high school and college GPA, whichever is applicable to you as a student. The GPA threshold, in nearly all cases, is at least a 2.5 (high school or college). If you have questions about your GPA, please contact our offices at ETSUFSL@etsu.edu. 
• What is the cost of joining a sorority?

  Joining a sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting with revenue coming from members who pay dues. At ETSU our chapters dues per semester ranges. The first semester ranges from $700 - $1275 . Then after that each semester ranges from $520 - $805. Dues information per chapter will be provided during PNM Orientation.
• Is there sorority housing?

  ETSU offers the College Panhellenic Living and Learning Community at Buccaneer ridge. Click here to find more information. 
• Do I need a recommendation letter for recruitment?

  Recommendation letters are not expected nor required for participation in ETSU Panhellenic sorority recruitment. 
• Can I talk to people who I know in a sorority/fraternity about the recruitment process, outfits, or about sorority/fraternity life in general?

  Yes! You will be able to talk to your recruitment guide, called a "Rho Gamma." Rho Gammas are your best resource for questions about the recruitment process.
• What do I need to wear during formal recruitment?

  We encourage all participating to wear clothes that feel like you - clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.
• Both my mother and grandmother were in the sorority I want, so am I guaranteed a bid from that sorority? What does legacy mean?

  Many chapters have a "legacy" policy. Each one of our chapters has a different legacy policy to determine what relationships include legacy. Examples of these are grandmothers, mothers, step-mothers, aunts, sisters, and cousins. vary by each chapter. You can indicate your relationship and their affiliation in the recruitment registration form. This is a vital step as this is how chapters manage their legacy policy. Being a legacy to a sorority will not guarantee you a bid from that chapter. 
• If I know a sorority woman, is her chapter is obligated to extend me a bid?

  Individual chapter members cannot determine who the chapter will extend bids to. Just because you know someone in a chapter does not mean that particular sorority will extend you a bid. If you want more information about the bidding process, the Potential New Member Orientation (received after you register) goes into more detail about the mutual selection process.