Interested in joining an OFSL organization at the University of Alabama? Select the council you would be interested in to learn how you can maximize your opportunity to join a Greek organization.
While each Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA) sorority is a private member organization with its own membership criteria (often governed by national bylaws), there are some general guidelines that can help a potential new member maximize her opportunity to receive a bid during Primary Recruitment. The following are ways to increase the likelihood that you will be offered membership:
Register for recruitment on time—and don’t forget to submit your video! For instructions on how to apply, deadlines and full details, visit the APA Council overview.
Pay attention to APA’s Greek Chic Recruitment Guide, which offers the schedule for recruitment, helpful information about what to wear each day, and so much more to keep you informed.
Participate in recruitment early. Chapters are looking for women who will be active members throughout their time as an undergraduate student, so that they can maximize their membership experience as well as contribute to the chapter. Keep in mind that each organization has its own policy on pledging upperclassmen.
Study hard – while there is no minimum GPA required to participate in recruitment, each chapter does have a minimum GPA requirement for membership, and it is highly recommended that all potential new members have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time of recruitment.
Be mindful of your social media presence – past and present. The content you post, comment on and are tagged in can communicate a variety of messages to different audiences, and active members scout social media channels to learn about potential new members and whether or not their values are in line with those of the organization.
While chapter-specific letters of recommendation are not required, if you do choose to obtain any, we recommend that you pay attention to who can write them, where and how to submit them, and the deadline for submission. Don’t forget you can always upload an optional supplemental academic letter of recommendation when you register for recruitment as well.
Recruitment is a mutual selection process, meaning that as you are making decisions throughout the week of recruitment, so are the chapters. This may mean not going back to a chapter you prioritized highly, and you may receive an invitation to a chapter you had indicated as a low priority. Consider this an opportunity to get to know the chapter further as they have identified you as someone who fits the values and expectations of their organization. Recruitment may not go how you expect, but hundreds of women over the years have found a home and sisterhood in a place they didn’t expect on day one of recruitment.
Attend all of the parties on your schedule each round, even if they may not be your top choice chapter. Also make sure that you understand the MRABA:
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it is a helpful guide to help potential new members understand many of the factors involved in the process.
Potential New Members (PNM) interested in joining an Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternity should register for IFC recruitment with Campus Director available at the beginning of April.
IFC fraternities will be tabling at Bama Bound at various dates in late June and July. Those interested in speaking with chapters are encouraged to sign up for a Bama Bound session on one of these dates. It is very important that you reach out to the recruitment chair for the chapter(s) you are interested in over the summer.
Review the IFC Recruitment site to learn more about the IFC Executive Council, IFC fraternities and their history at UA, important recruitment dates, chapter-specific information.
When receiving a bid, PNMs can accept, deny, or place their bid on hold. Accepting a bid tells the fraternity you have accepted the invitation to join their fraternity and go through their new member education process. Denying a bid tells the fraternity you are not interested and will be exploring other fraternities. Placing a bid on hold tells the fraternity that you are interested but keeping an open mind.
UA National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Convocation provides interested students with information about the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities at UA. Topics will include membership requirements and the benefits of joining Greek Life. Convocation also provides an opportunity for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) to discuss important information about hazing guidelines and membership expectations.
All students interested in being considered for membership in one of the active NPHC organizations are required to attend NPHC Convocation during the academic year of intake. A make-up Convocation is offered but is only available for students who missed due to class or a documented illness.
Fall Convocation covers you for fall & spring membership intake processes. Spring Convocation covers you for spring intake only. After spring, it resets. So, if a student didn’t become a member of an org, you will need to make plans to attend the following year during fall or spring.
The registration fee is $10, and all proceeds benefit the NPHC S.T.R.O.N.G scholarship fund.
Research chapters to decide which chapter best aligns with your mission and values. Feel free to stop by OFSL in the Student Center on a weekly basis beginning the week of Convocation to see if a chapter flyer has been posted on the outside windows. The flyers will share details for the next steps for any informational or rush events. Keep in. mind not all chapters will have informational meetings and only rush events.
Make sure you have business casual and business professional attire! Business casual can be worn to Convocation and to forums hosted by chapters. Business professional must be worn to the Informational Meeting/Rush. Don’t have appropriate attire? Check out the Root Crimson Career Closet
Building your leadership resume is key to ensuring that you develop the experience and skills that could help you stand out as an asset during the new member selection process
All chapters require that you have completed community service hours. Some have a set requirement of completed hours.
It is important you are committed to maintaining a high GPA. Chapters are looking for members with a GPA that is above their set requirement
Follow chapters of interest on Instagram! All United Greek Council (UGC) chapters will post recruitment flyers to their Instagram accounts.
Attend Get On Board Day (GOBD) and stop by the table(s) to learn more about recruitment. This is a great opportunity to meet chapter members & ask questions.
Attend a rush event! The chapter will notify you once you sign up as to how many recruitment events you need to attend to be eligible to receive a bid.
Research the website of the national organization(s) to make sure you are aware of the requirements for membership and the organization’s purpose.
Building your leadership resume is key to ensuring that you develop the skills that help you stand out as an asset during the new member selection process
It is important you are dedicated to maintaining a high GPA. Chapters are looking for members with a GPA that is above the set requirement
