If I participate in formal recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority?
No, many women choose to go through formal recruitment to meet people and make new friends. Formal recruitment is an opportunity for you to visit the sororities, get a glimpse of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and figure out whether or not it’s for you.
Is there a GPA requirement to participate in formal recruitment?
There is no GPA requirement to participate in Panhellenic Formal Recruitment. However, each individual sorority has a minimum grade point average requirement for membership eligibility. Individual sororities have minimum GPA requirements that range from a 2.5 to a 2.75. A woman is eligible to participate in the PHC Formal Recruitment process if she is enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate student who has completed 12 or more Virginia Tech credit hours by the end of the fall semester, prior to recruitment, is in good academic standing with Virginia Tech, is not on an active sanction with Student Conduct, is at least a second-semester freshman, and attends the mandatory recruitment information session. Credits earned by AP, IB, CLEP, dual enrollment, and credit-by-exam do not count toward the 12 Virginia Tech credit hour requirement. Transfer credits must have been received post high school while at a 4 year or 2 year college. A woman is ineligible to participate if she is or has ever been initiated into a National Panhellenic (NPC) organization on any campus.
Do I have to attend an information session put on by Panhellenic?
As a Potential New Member this information sessions are the primary way for the Panhellenic Recruitment Team to share important details about Formal Recruitment. You are only required to attend one information session. The information session dates can be found here.
I am a legacy to a sorority. Is there anything that I should know?
Each sorority views legacy status differently. Some consider only daughters or sisters of alumnae, while some extend it to granddaughters, nieces and cousins. No chapter is obligated to extend membership to a legacy. Likewise, you should not feel pressured to join a certain sorority because of your legacy status.
What do sororities look for in members?
It is difficult to pin-point exactly what sorority women are looking for. There are as many answers to that question as there are sorority women. A strong academic background is very important to every sorority. Each sorority has a minimum grade requirement and no matter how wonderful the Potential New Member may be, the sorority might release her if she cannot meet the grade requirement.
Often, women have friends currently in sororities or are legacies to certain sororities. Some women feel that these Potential New Members have an advantage in that sorority. However, just as you are not obligated to join that sorority, that sorority is not obligated to extend you an invitation for membership. Furthermore, you should not worry if you are not a legacy or do not know anyone in a sorority. The entire point of going through formal recruitment is to meet new people, and every sorority wants to give all Potential New Members an equal chance. It is most important to be yourself. Every sorority is looking for a variety of members.
What are recommendations and do I need them?
Recommendations are letters or statements from a sorority alumna recommending a Potential New Member for membership. Details for each chapter’s recommendation process can be found here. Please note that these are not required for any of our chapters.
What if I have a hard time making decisions about sororities?
Difficult decisions are a very common dilemma. Potential New Members, however, should not look at this as a problem. Most women can be happy in any of the sororities on campus. Besides, you have to keep in mind that sororities also have to make decisions. Think carefully and look objectively at what each sorority has to offer you. A sorority should be a home away from home; a place where you feel totally comfortable and welcome. Your experiences at each formal recruitment event and personal goals and desires should guide your decision making.
Where do I stay during Formal Recruitment if I live on campus?
If you live on campus you will be given more information by your Residential Well-Being Student Leaders on how to register for break housing, you must be back on campus no later than 1/6/24 for check in and kick-off
What does my recruitment registration fee cover? How much is the 2024 registration fee?
The registration fee is $150. The fee encompasses philanthropy round t-shirts, an iValue reflection guide, lunch each day of in-person recruitment, recruitment shuttles, and administrative costs.