Parents & Families

We know that choosing to join a sorority is a big decision, for both students and their families. Our goal is to provide every Potential New Member with a welcoming and supportive experience where they can explore each chapter and find the community that's the best fit for them. No matter where your student finds their home, they will be joining a community that encourages leadership, academic success, and lifelong friendship. Recruitment can feel just as new for families as it does for students, so we're here to help you understand the process and feel confident when supporting your student.

A Note From Panhellenic

Dear Parents and Families,

As your student gets ready for recruitment, we just wanted to share a few things that we hope will help you support her through the process. We know there can be a lot of opinions and expectations surrounding sorority recruitment, but one of the biggest things we can encourage is to let her experience it for herself. Remind her to keep an open mind, be herself, and trust her gut. The most meaningful part of being in a sorority is not the name or reputation of a chapter, but the people she meets and the community she finds.

Recruitment is also a great time to talk with your student about what she wants out of her college experience. Maybe that is finding close friendships, getting involved in philanthropy, having leadership opportunities, or finding a group of people who will support her throughout college. We encourage you to have those conversations with her and learn about the chapters together, but at the end of the day, let her choose the place that feels right to her. Recruitment may not go exactly how she expects, and that is okay! We hope you can be a source of encouragement for her, remind her not to compare her experience to anyone else's, and help her enjoy the process for what it is.

With Love,

Wake Forest Panhellenic Council

What to Expect

Formal Recruitment gives students the opportunity to meet the women in our Panhellenic community and learn about each chapter's values, traditions, and sisterhood. Throughout the process, students and chapters make selections through a mutual selection process. Participating in recruitment does not require a student to join a sorority, and there is no single "right" outcome.

After recruitment, students who receive and accept a bid will begin their new member experience, where they’ll get to know their chapter, build relationships, and learn more about what membership looks like.

How You Can Support Your Student

Recruitment is ultimately your student's experience and decision, and one of the best ways you can support them is by giving them the space to discover what feels right for them.

The best way to support your student is to let them take ownership of their recruitment experience. Encourage them to keep an open mind, meet new people, and focus on where they feel comfortable and connected rather than choosing based on reputation or what others think. There is no "best" chapter and finding the right fit is personal to each student.

Recruitment can come with plenty of excitement and emotions, so sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is simply listen. Let your student talk through their experiences, remind them to trust themselves, and celebrate the experience regardless of the outcome.

Understanding Sorority Costs

We understand that financial considerations are an important part of deciding whether sorority membership is right for your student. Costs vary by chapter and may include national organization fees, chapter dues, initiation fees, and other membership-related expenses.

We encourage families to review our financial transparency page, ask questions, and have an open conversation with their student about the costs of membership. Some chapters may also offer payment plans, scholarships, or other financial resources.

Safety & Wellbeing

Your student’s safety and wellbeing are a priority within the Wake Forest Panhellenic community. Our chapters are expected to follow Wake Forest University policies, Panhellenic policies, and the policies of their national organizations, and hazing is strictly prohibited. We want students to have a sorority experience that adds to their college experience, not one that takes away from their academics, health, or overall wellbeing. There are also many academic, health, and wellbeing resources available through Wake Forest that students can use throughout their time on campus.

As part of the recruitment registration process, every potential new member is required to complete Wake Forest’s Hazing Prevention Workshop before participating in recruitment. Wake Forest has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing, and we take these expectations seriously. The workshop helps students understand what hazing can look like, know their rights and responsibilities, and feel comfortable speaking up if something ever does not feel right. As a family, you can also remind your student that she should never feel pressured to do something that makes her uncomfortable and that asking for help is always okay.

Common Questions from Families