Understanding the Language of Sorority Rush: Essential Terms Every PNM Should Know

Ever wondered what ‘PNM’ or ‘Bid Day’ means? Feeling overwhelmed by the sorority rush jargon? As a sorority alumnus, I’ve explained these terms to dozens of young women I’ve mentored as they consider going through the recruitment process. In this guide, I’ll decode the essential terms every PNM should know, taking you from confused to confident as we explore the language of rush.

Key Players in Sorority Rush

What does “PNM” stand for in sorority rush?

The following terms refer to people during the sorority process, aiming to help classify people into different groups based on their sorority status.

What does “Active” mean in terms of sorority recruitment?

Potential New Member. A PNM is a student who is interested in joining a sorority and participates in the recruitment process.

An active is a current, initiated member of a sorority.

What is a “Pledge” in sorority terminology?

In sorority recruitment, a pledge refers to a prospective member who has been offered and has accepted an invitation to join a sorority. Pledges undergo a period of initiation, where they learn about the history, values, and traditions of the sorority, and often participate in various activities and events to bond with their future sisters. Upon successfully completing the pledge process, they become initiated members of the sorority.

What role does a Rho Gamma (or Gamma Chi) play in sorority recruitment?

A Rho Gamma (or Gamma Chi) is a sorority member who temporarily disaffiliates from their chapter during formal recruitment to guide potential new members through the recruitment process. They are neutral and do not promote any specific sorority during recruitment.

What is an “alumni” in sorority rush?

Alumni are former members of a sorority who have graduated from the university.

What is a Sitting Sister in sorority recruitment?

A Sitting Sister is a member of a sorority who has a sister who is a PNM at the same university.

What does it mean to be a Legacy in sorority rush?

A Legacy is a potential new member who has a family member, often a parent or sibling, who is an alumna of a specific sorority, at any university.

Recommendations & RIFs

Recommendations play a key role in pre-rush preparations. Here I’ll explain the different types of recommendations in the sorority recruitment process.

What is a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) in sorority rush?

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a written endorsement from sorority alumnae or other members recommending a PNM to a specific sorority during recruitment.

What is a Recruitment Information Form (RIF) in sorority recruitment?

A Recruitment Information Form (RIF) is another form of written endorsement, typically done through the sorority’s website, from sorority alumnae or other members recommending a PNM to a specific sorority during recruitment.

What is a Letter of Support (LOS) in sorority rush?

Letters of support (LOS) are personal handwritten letters on stationery from a sorority alumna, who has a personal relationship with a PNM, recommending her for membership. “Letters of Support” differ from Recommendations/References in that they are not on the official sorority recruitment information form and are often sent to the chapter either alone or as a supplement to the recruitment information form.

Sorority Invitations

The following terms explain how you might be invited to join a sorority.

What is a Bid in sorority recruitment?

A Bid is an official invitation extended by a sorority to a PNM to join their chapter.

What is COB (Continuous Open Bidding) / Snap Bid in sorority rush?

COB (Continuous Open Bidding) / Snap Bid is a process that allows sororities to extend bids to eligible PNMs outside the formal recruitment period.

What is Single Intentional Preffing (Suicide Bidding) in sorority recruitment?

Single Intentional Preffing (Suicide Bidding) is a potential new member’s choice to rank only one sorority on their preference list during recruitment, indicating their strong desire to join that particular chapter. This may increase your risks of being dropped, and the PNM should discuss with their Rho Gamma/Gamma Chi if they are considering doing so.

Rounds of Sorority Recruitment

Sorority recruitment is structured into various rounds, each serving a unique purpose. Names may vary from school to school, but here are the most common terms for each round.

What is a “Party” during sorority recruitment?

A Party is a scheduled event during sorority recruitment where PNMs meet and interact with the members of one sorority.

Convocation

Convocation is a meeting, often at the beginning of the formal recruitment process, where PNMs come together for announcements, speakers, and important information.

Open House

Open House is the first round of recruitment, where PNMs visit various sorority houses to get a brief introduction to each sorority. Depending on the school, open house round may be virtual or done by submitting a video as opposed to visiting the houses in person.

Philanthropy

The Philanthropy Round is the second round of recruitment, typically 1 to 2 days, where the organizations focus on their charitable activities and events for their chosen cause.

Sisterhood

The Sisterhood Round is the third round of recruitment, typically 1 day, where the sororities focus on the bond that they have within their organization.

Preference

Preference round is the final round of recruitment, where PNMs attend more intimate events with their preferred sororities to gain a deeper understanding of each chapter in order to make their final rankings.

Other

What is the Panhellenic organization in sorority recruitment?

In the context of sorority recruitment, Panhellenic refers to an umbrella organization that governs and coordinates activities among sororities on a college campus, often National Pan-Hellenic Conference or National Pan-Hellenic Council. The Panhellenic Council is typically composed of representatives from each sorority chapter, working together to oversee recruitment events, establish recruitment rules and guidelines, and promote unity and collaboration among the sororities within the Panhellenic community. They often organize formal recruitment processes, manage bid distributions, and uphold standards of conduct and inclusivity within the Greek system.

Now that you’re equipped with the key terms used during sorority recruitment, you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to finding your sisterhood.