Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about Panhellenic Recruitment

• When do I get my Recruitment Counselor and how can they help me?

  Your RC will reach out to you after orientation once you’ve registered, so keep an eye out for a email or text. When they reach out to you, they'll also ask about your availability to have a meeting with them and the other PNMs in your group to start to get to know one another and answer any additional questions you may have. Your RCs are there to help you have someone who is there to help you and a small group of PNMs though the recruitment process, so do not hesitate to use them!

• Will I need to do anything before recruitment begins?

  1. Register for recruitment using our online registration form.

  2. Make sure to put thought into your answers to the questions, you have until September 22nd to complete the application. 

  3. You’ll also be filming a short video of yourself (90 seconds max) so the chapters can get to know you better. We will provide a prompt for you to answer and more details about these videos are included in your registration. Instructions for videos can found via our online guide and you can check out the Recruitment Counselor Sample Videos.

• Can I talk to current sorority members on social media before recruitment starts?

  Sure! There are no rules against active members reaching out to you prior to recruitment, but please know that they will likely be talking in generalities about the sorority experience since you’ll still need to go through primary recruitment to join any of our NPC chapters. If you happen to talk to a current member and you feel uncomfortable for any reason, please do not hesitate to let us know at panhelvprecruitment@gmail.com.

• How much does being in a Panhellenic Sorority cost?

  Being in any fraternity or sorority costs money. These dues cover a wide variety of expenses and vary from chapter to chapter. The semester you join a Panhellenic sorority, your dues are much higher than subsequent semester because you pay some one-time fees, like purchasing your badge and initiation fees to the National Headquarters. New member dues for this year (Fall and Spring) will range from $600-$900. During PNM Orientation you will receive breakdowns on each chapter's dues structure for this year. 

• What do all of these acronyms mean?

  PNM: Potential New Member, that’s you!

  RC: Recruitment Counselor: a current Panhellenic woman responsible for leading a group of PNMs through recruitment. She is disaffiliated from her own chapter during recruitment to remain an unbiased, confidential resource for you during the entire process.

  NPC: National Panhellenic Conference: the umbrella group for all 26 sororities. This Conference has representatives from each organization, and they help unify all of our chapters on a national level.

• Are there certain sororities that are better than others?

  No! Each sorority is a perfect fit for its members. The most important part about formal recruitment is to go in with an open mind. Friends that you have before recruitment week will still be your friends after, no matter which chapter you join!

• What if I already know which chapter I want to be a part of?

  It is crucial that you keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process. By keeping your options open, you increase your chances for a successful recruitment process.

• Once I join a sorority will I have to go through hazing?

  Absolutely not. YSU Panhellenic has a zero tolerance hazing policy. You will have a safe and fun experience as a new member. If hazing does occur it is against YSU’s policy. Report it.

• What is the recruitment schedule?

  You will have a Recruitment Orientation (Meet Your Recruitment Counselor) plus 3 rounds happening in 3 days. During this total of 3 days, the first day will have the same time structure for everyone, and the last 2 will depend on each PNM’s individual invitations. Please plan to reserve your days and times for recruitment even though you will not be online for the full day. You can access the general schedule overview online. 

  Registration for primary recruitment will close on September 22nd.

• What is Recruitment Orientation (Meet Your Recruitment Counselor)?

  Recruitment Orientation will be held on September 15 and you will be attending the same time as your recruitment group. During this time we will go over frequently asked questions and you will be chatting with your group about what to expect for Recruitment. If you cannot make it to this for whatever reason, please let your Recruitment Counselor know when she reaches out to you.

• What do I do if I get sick?

  Your health is very important, and we want to do everything to make sure that you are healthy. Please contact either your RC or us if you are sick and cannot participate in a round.

• What if I have class during a recruitment round?

  We understand that with the new academic calendar that you might have a class at night or on a Saturday. Please contact us if you have a time conflict, and we will work to adjust your schedule accordingly.

• What if I can’t make it to a recruitment event or I have to arrive late?

  Our recruitment team will work with all different types of schedules to make your experience the best it can be. Please let your Recruitment Counselor know if you have a conflict with the recruitment events ASAP. If you arrive late to an event let the Recruitment Counselor know who you are and that you are late, they will help you get back on schedule.

• How do sororities decide who to invite back each round?

  Recruitment is a mutual selection process. Just as each PNM is selecting which chapters she likes best, the chapters are also selecting the PNMs in the same manner. Sororities choose PNMs based on who they feel best exemplifies the characteristics and values their sorority works to uphold and believes in.

• Does everyone get a bid?

  Unfortunately a bid is not guaranteed to every woman who goes through recruitment. However, if a PNM progresses though the week, attends all of the events and she is invited to the final formal recruitment round and lists all of the chapters on her preference card that day, she will likely receive a bid to one of those chapters.

• What happens with my registration fee?

  Your $15 registration fee is used to make formal recruitment a reality! That money is used to cover the costs of your Greek Life shirt, snacks, lunch on Saturday and administrative costs during Formal Recruitment week.

• If I am a legacy, am I guaranteed a bid?

  No. Legacy policies differ from chapter to chapter, but no chapter guarantees a bid to a legacy. Also, remember that chapters change with their membership, and just because the sorority was the right fit for your family member doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for you.

• May I skip a sorority event if I do not want to attend?

  No, if you choose to miss a party during formal recruitment week, you will be removed from the entire recruitment process. There are no exceptions.

• Can I withdraw from recruitment

  Yes, but we encourage you to stay through the week.  You will be surprised at how happy you are in the end.  It sounds silly that everything happens the way it is supposed to, but truly it does!  Often you do not know what the best fit for you is until you are in the chapter.

PNM Introduction Video Questions and Instructions

• I'm stressed about this video, what does it need to look like, what do I need to say, etc.?

  This video is meant to be a quick and easy way to let chapters get to know you. You can record on your phone or laptop or similar device, and don’t worry about having professional video equipment or lighting. We definitely aren’t assuming anyone is a professional videographer. Backgrounds of videos should be neutral and should only include you. In the video you will respond to a prompt provided by Panhellenic. This isn’t meant to be a big stressor, and we really just want to get to know you! Be yourself, and it’ll be great!

• What format should I save my PNM video in?

  An MOV (.mov) or MP4 File (.mp4) file is preferred as these files are easily accessible on MAC and Windows computers. If you are filming on an Apple product, your video should automatically save as a .mov file. If you are filming on a Windows product, your file should automatically save as a .mp4 file.

• What should I say in my video?

  Check out our prompts and instructions for recording your video via our online guide. And check out some example videos made by our recruitment counselors.

• Who will be able to see my video?  Will it stay private?

  Your videos will be shared with each of our chapters, and their members will be able to view them during recruitment. After recruitment is over, they will be deleted.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Sorority Recruitment

DO:

• Talk to other potential new members. You could be spending a lot of time with these women in the next few years!
• Stop by the Student Activities Office, across from the Cove in Kilcawley Center. That is a great location to get any questions you have answered.
• Make the right decision for you. Regardless of what others may say, you need to make up your own mind. It is your decision and it will impact the rest of your life!
• Keep an open mind while talking to women and visiting the different chapters. Every chapter is unique and has a lot to offer its members.
• Write down your impressions of a sorority immediately following an event.  It is a hectic week and this will help you evaluate your options.
• Be positive. First impressions are huge and a conversation with nothing but complaints will work against you.
• Smile! It’s the easiest way to win people over.
• Be yourself. This will help the chapters get to know the real you and will help you figure out where you should be!
• Be comfortable. You will be sitting in crowded rooms and will be walking a lot. Be sure to wear a comfy pair of shoes!
• Get plenty of sleep. You will need it. It is a busy weekend!
• Get ahead on assignments. We don’t want you to be stressed and worried about school all weekend when you’re trying to have a fun time!  We value your academic success and you should too!

DON’T:

• Don’t have your heart set on one sorority. Chances are there will be several sororities you can relate to. Keep an open mind and you will end up in the place that fits you best!
• Don’t swear. Again, first impressions are everything.
• Don’t talk badly about other chapters. A lot of sorority women are friends with women from other chapters. You never know who has friends where and talking poorly about others can make you look bad too!
• Don’t compare yourself! It may be hard but try not to compare your recruitment process to another potential new member’s. It will all work out in the end!
• Don’t give up if you don’t get invited back to a chapter you really enjoyed being at. Carefully consider the options you have left before you end the recruitment process. After all, you never know where you are meant to be!