Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

At the University of Louisville, our Panhellenic sororities coordinate one primary recruitment process each year, which occurs the first weekend of the fall semester. Fall 2024 recruitment is scheduled to take place August 21–25.

You can register for Fall 2024 Primary Recruitment here beginning May 1, 2024.

Primary Recruitment

Primary Recruitment is a process coordinated by the College Panhellenic Council (CPH) that occurs each fall and is the best way to meet all eight National Panhellenic Sororities at UofL. As a new or returning student, primary recruitment allows you to get connected on campus and form a network of close friends within just a few days.

Students that register for recruitment, also known as Potential New Members (PNMs) are placed in small groups with fellow students participating in the recruitment process. Each small group has two Panhellenic Recruitment Ambassadors or “PRAs” that serve as mentors and provide guidance to students in their group. The recruitment process allows students to create bonds and find a support system during the first few weeks of classes.

Recruitment Registration

Registration for recruitment will open on August 1, 2024 and close on August 21, 2024. The registration form is an opportunity for you to tell each chapter a bit about yourself before the recruitment process starts. Here are the things you'll want to prepare prior to registering for recruitment: a high-quality photo that clearly shows your face; your high school GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores, as applicable; information about your involvement in high school and college, including clubs, sports, jobs, volunteer service, awards, scholarships, and any recognition you received. 

There is a $30 non-refundable registration fee that is required to participate in recruitment. If the cost of the recruitment registration fee prevents you from being able to participate in recruitment, you can request a fee waiver when you register for recruitment. You can pay the recruitment registration fee online with a credit or debit card when you register for recruitment.

Fall 2024 Recruitment Schedule

Potential New Member (PNM) Orientation: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
Recruitment Orientation will be hosted in person and virtually to provide important information about the sorority experience and recruitment process. The orientation session will include an overview of recruitment, mutual selection, and an opportunity to ask questions. After this session, PNMs will meet with their PRA group to review important information.

Round One (Open House): Thursday, Aug. 22 & Friday, Aug. 23, 2024
Round one, or “Open House,” is the first opportunity PNMs have to meet the eight participating chapters. This round will consist of conversations between PNMs and active sorority members. Each event will be 30 minutes with a 15 minute break in between each event.

Round Two: Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024
Round Two is the beginning of the invitational rounds. PNMs will have the opportunity to visit a maximum of 5 chapters. Each event will be 45 minutes each with a 15 minute break in between each event. These rounds are focused on on the chapters’ philanthropies and community service initiatives, and share a glimpse of their sisterhood. Chapters will also share an outline of their financial obligations.

Round Three: Sunday, Aug. 27, 2024
Preference is the final round of primary recruitment where PNMs will return to a maximum of two chapters. Chapters will hold a Preference Ceremony that gives special insight into the chapter and their purpose. Events will be 1 hour each with a 30 minute break in between each event.

Bid Day: Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024
At Bid Day PNMs will find out which chapter they have been invited to join! PNMs will attend a final recruitment ceremony with your PRA group where all PNMs will open their bid cards. Chapter Bid Day events will be planned by individual chapters.

Panhellenic Recruitment Ambassadors (PRAs)

A Panhellenic Recruitment Ambassador (also known as a PRA) is a woman who is a member of a sorority and has disaffiliated from her chapter in order to facilitate the recruitment experience for potential new members. A recruitment ambassador provides support, friendship, and personal guidance to women going through the recruitment process. A PRAs’ primary responsibility is to help potential new members have a positive recruitment experience and solve any problems a potential new member might encounter. You will find out who your PRA is in late July.

Check out our Instagram @LouisvillePanhellenic to meet this year’s Panhellenic Recruitment Ambassadors!

Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions about recruitment. If you have a question that is not included below, please contact Sarah Burns, Vice President of Recruitment, at uofl.recruitment@gmail.com.

Do I have to attend all events during primary recruitment?
Yes, it is extremely important that you attend all events on your schedule. This gives you the opportunity to keep your options open and connect with more women. Sometimes students participating in the process have academic conflicts or extenuating circumstances that may prevent them from attending all events. You will be asked to report any academic conflicts prior to recruitment so that your schedule can be appropriately adjusted.

What if I only want to be in a certain sorority?
Only wanting to be a member of one specific sorority or only considering a few sororities can severely limit your options for membership and can lead to disappointment. In order to make the most of your experience and time at UofL, do not limit your options based on stereotypes or other people’s opinions. All eight sororities offer an unparalleled experience no other organizations can match.

What if I go through recruitment and decide sorority life is not for me?
You are under no obligation to join a sorority just because you participate in the recruitment process. You are encouraged to participate in recruitment because it is an excellent opportunity for you to learn about Panhellenic sorority life and meet new friends.

Is there a GPA requirement?
The College Panhellenic Council does not require a minimum GPA to participate in the recruitment process. However, each chapter has a minimum GPA to join. Here is a GPA guide to help you determine what to expect throughout the recruitment process based on your GPA:

• 3.0+ GPA – Your options are likely no limited based on your GPA.
• 2.8-2.99 – Your options are more likely to be limited based on your GPA.
• 2.79 and below – Your options are very likely to be limited based on your GPA.

How much does is cost to be in a sorority?
Each chapter has a different cost and dues structure. The chapters you visit during Round Two of recruitment will give you a detailed outline of their financial obligations and answer any questions you may have. Come to this round prepared with any questions you may have, such as, "Does this chapter offer payment plans?" or "How many scholarships are offered to members in need?" Prior to recruitment, we recommend determining the amount of money you feel comfortable paying each year for chapter dues.

What should I wear for recruitment?
There is no right or wrong outfit to wear during recruitment. You should wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and the most like you! However, as each round progresses, our outfit recommendations become more formal.

Do I need a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is written by someone who is an alumna of a Panhellenic chapter in support of a student participating in the recruitment process. While you may hear that other schools require letters of recommendation, the University of Louisville does not require letters of recommendation for recruitment. Our members want to know all of the unique personality traits and values that make you who you are, and no letter can tell them that. If you do or do not have a recommendation letter, it will not be held against you in any way!

If you have a close family friend who would like to recommend you for membership in their sorority, please have them refer to their inter/national organization website. Each inter/national organization provides an online submission form to ensure that recommendations reach each chapter in a timely and efficient manner. We recommend that all letters of recommendation are submitted by August 1st.

Can I only join a sorority during fall primary recruitment?
While we strongly recommend that you participate in fall primary recruitment so that you can meet all eight NPC chapters, some of our sororities have the opportunity to recruit throughout the academic year. This is referred to as Continuous Open Bidding (COB). The week after Bid Day, half our the chapters will be able to accept new members and will likely post about their COB events on their social media pages. This process continues throughout the year, but fall primary recruitment is the only time that all eight NPC sororities are accepting new members.