Frequently Asked Questions

When can I participate in recruitment?

Potential new members may participate in primary recruitment at the beginning of B Term (at the very end of October/beginning of November). If you are unable to participate in primary recruitment but are interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Recruitment/Bidding (COR/COB), which takes place after primary recruitment. Since only some chapters participate in COR/COB, it is handled by each participating chapter individually.

 

What is the schedule for primary recruitment?

For 2023:

 

What is non-NPC Recruitment? How is it different from recruitment?

Non-NPC recruitment is the process potential new members participate in to join an NMGC- or NPHC-based sorority, specifically Theta Nu Xi and Zeta Phi Beta at WPI. Events include formal events where interested individuals learn about the chapter as well as social events that connect interested individuals with active members. Non-NPC recruitment serves as a time to provide meaningful education about the chapter, develop lasting bonds between members, and determine if chapter membership is right for them. Unlike Panhellenic primary recruitment, non-NPC recruitment is hosted solely by the chapter and is typically slightly longer.

Do I have to go to every recruitment round? What if I have class or a sports game?

Yes, you must go to every recruitment round. Primary recruitment at WPI is designed to allow you to learn as much as possible about the Panhellenic community. If you have an academic obligation, sports activity, extenuating circumstances or family emergency, please fill out the Panhellenic Recruitment 2023: Excuse Form on the myWPI Panhellenic Council page. Potential new members must attend Round 1 to participate in the rest of recruitment unless there is a serious emergency that would prohibit them from doing so.

 

What is the grade requirement to participate in recruitment?

To be academically eligible, to register and participate in recruitment, you have to pass an average of 2/3 of your courses and be in good academic standing with the university. Your academic eligibility will be confirmed once you complete the Academic Release Form. If you have questions or concerns about your academic eligibility, please reach out to Christine Ziev (cziev@wpi.edu), Associate Director of Student Activities.

 

When should I fill out the Academic Release Form?

As soon as you decide to participate in Sorority Recruitment (NPC or Non-NPC), fill out the Academic Release Form, which can be found on WPI TechSync.  Filling out the Academic Release Form is not a binding agreement to join a chapter - it only helps to determine if you’re academically eligible to do so. You can fill out an Academic Release Form and decide not to join a chapter.

What should I wear to recruitment?

No particular dress code is required for recruitment. Dress comfortably and in your style to make a good first impression. Panhellenic recruitment participants are strongly recommended to wear comfortable shoes. The final round of Panhellenic recruitment, called Preference Party, is a more formal ceremony, so people usually dress up slightly nicer (blouse and nice pants, dress, etc).

 

How do I decide which chapter to join?

Potential new members have the opportunity to meet all chapters during Round 1. This provides a good perspective about what membership looks like in each organization. Everyone looks for different attributes in a sorority, so look carefully at all chapters and evaluate which one best complements your values and personality. Join the organization where you feel most comfortable. If you are having trouble with your decision, contact your recruitment guide (Rho Gamma).

 

Do I have to meet every chapter? What if I know I only want to join a certain sorority?

You are required to meet all chapters during Round 1. After that, you will see a maximum of four chapters during Round 2 and a maximum of two chapters during the last round. You must attend all recruitment events that you are invited to. Limiting yourself to a certain sorority devalues your recruitment experience and can lead to disappointment. You're encouraged to keep an open mind and base your decision on which chapter aligns closest to your values and appears to be the best fit for you. 

How do bids work?

Chapters give out bids (invitations to membership) to individuals they feel will be a great addition to the chapter on Panhellenic Bid Day. Once you sign your bid, you commit to becoming a member of that chapter. For non-NPC Recruitment, you will be offered an opportunity to join the chapter facilitating the recruitment process.

 

If I participate in recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority?

No, you are not obligated to join a sorority if you go through recruitment. Primary recruitment is an opportunity to explore Panhellenic sororities at WPI. If you decide it is not right for you, you may withdraw process any time before signing the MRABA. Even if you are extended a bid, you do not have to join. If you are extended a bid, we do encourage you to test it out for a week or so to determine if it’s of interest for you or not. 

 

Does going through recruitment affect my on-campus housing in any way?

Going through recruitment does not affect your on-campus housing at all.

 

If I am a legacy to a sorority, what do I need to know?

Legacy is not synonymous with obligation. You are encouraged to keep an open mind and consider what each chapter has to offer, regardless of which sorority you are a legacy. You should not feel any pressure from the chapter members to join a particular sorority. Being a legacy of a sorority does not guarantee you a bid from that sorority. 

What is the MRABA?

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) is a binding agreement that is effective for one calendar year. By signing this document, a potential new member agrees that they are willing to accept a bid for membership from any sorority that they rank on the MRABA. Please note that if a PNM receives an invitation to membership (a bid) from any sorority that they ranked on her MRABA, then they are bound to that group for one calendar year.

 

What does accepting a bid entail?

When you accept a bid, you agree to participate in a sorority's new member process. Once you sign the MRABA after the final round (Round 3, also known as Preference), you are ineligible to join another organization until the next primary recruitment period at WPI. 

 

When do you officially become a member of your sorority?

You officially become a member of your sorority once you are initiated. Initiation typically occurs in C Term. Please note that once you are initiated into a sorority, you are unable to ever join another National Panhellenic Conference sorority.

What is the time commitment of membership?

On average, membership takes about 3 hours per week. Every sorority holds one mandatory meeting per week with typically service, social, and sisterhood events throughout each week. This can range from 0-4 additional hours. Time commitment can also increase and vary from holding different positions in the chapter. Although not every person in the chapter is expected to hold a position.

 

What is the cost of membership?

Dues range from chapter to chapter. Chapter dues will be shared with all potential new members during formal recruitment after Round 1.