Frequently Asked Questions

What is “mutual selection?”
Mutual selection is the process that takes place at the end of each day of recruitment events. After each round, you rank the chapters where you felt the strongest connection. At the same time, chapters reflect on the women they connected with and submit their selections as well. The matching process is computerized and guided by the National Panhellenic Conference. It is designed to prioritize the potential new member’s preferences first, considering her rankings before those of the chapters. The goal is to help each woman find a place where the interest, connection, and excitement are mutual.

How many women will sign up for recruitment? How many will each chapter take?
For 2026 Formal Recruitment, we had around 750-800 PNM’s sign up. The number of women each chapter takes depends on the number of women that remain at the end of the recruitment process. Therefore, pledge class sizes vary from year to year. There is no set number before recruitment begins. The recruitment process is largely dictated by the National Panhellenic Conference, which attempts to maintain an even distribution of membership on any given campus. This means that not everyone can join the same one or two chapters and not everyone will receive their #1 choice throughout the process. Again, we encourage women to have an open mind and consider membership in any of our groups. 

Do all women going through the process receive bids to join?
Unfortunately no, not all women will receive a bid for membership. There are two reasons this occurs. First, the vast majority of women not receiving bids elect to withdraw from the recruitment process before it is completed. Often this is because they have their heart set on a particular sorority, and if they don’t get invited back to the next event, they choose to not pursue any other groups. Second, there are regrettably a very small number of women who go through the entire process but do not receive a bid on Bid Day. This is typically as a result of a woman not “maximizing her options.” This means that during the process, a woman was unwilling to consider membership in one or more of the sororities that were interested in her. 

What about legacies? Are they guaranteed a bid?
No, legacies (potential new members who have family in a sorority) are not guaranteed a bid. Each chapter has its own policies on how they make decisions about legacies that is dictated by their national organization.  

What support mechanisms are in place for women who don’t get invites back or don’t get bids? There’s bound to be disappointment and hurt feelings.
Each woman’s Gamma Rho Chi (GRC) is there to help support her during the process. The GRC meets with her group daily to answer and questions or concerns and can also meet on a one-on-one basis. When there is a woman who is very upset about the process, the GRC will reach out to her and, if helpful, incorporate her RA to offer support as well. There are activities planned in the evening for any woman who withdrew or was released from the recruitment process.

Additionally, we have several support mechanisms on campus, including the Counseling Center, the Chaplain’s Office and the Office of the Dean of Students. We also have a wonderful group of role models that includes female staff and faculty members who reach out to every woman who is unsatisfied with her experience, oftentimes becoming great mentors and resources for our students.  

If a woman refuses a bid from a sorority, can she join a different sorority? If so, when?
If a woman is offered a bid during spring formal recruitment and declines it, she is ineligible to join a different sorority until the next primary recruiting time (meaning she has to wait until the next spring recruitment). Similarly, if a woman is offered a bid, accepts the bid and then decides to leave the sorority before she initiates, she has to wait until the next primary recruiting time. If a woman initiates into a sorority, she is bound to that organization for a lifetime, regardless of discontinuing her membership.

If a woman withdraws from the recruitment process before signing a preference card, she is welcome to go through recruitment the next fall or spring. Some sororities might have spaces available through Continuous Open Bidding (COB), however, we do not recommend women withdraw from spring recruitment to give fall COB a chance. During fall term, only some chapters are eligible to take additional members, and we won’t know which ones those are until the start of fall semester.  Not all sororities will offer bids via COB either. 

Can you explain COB (Continuous Open Bidding)?
Sororities recruit outside of formal recruitment via a system called Continuous Open Bidding (COB). To explain COB, it is important to first understand what the term “total” means. Total is set twice a year – once in the spring at the conclusion of formal recruitment and once in the fall at the start of fall semester. When it is set, total is the average chapter size of the Panhellenic sororities. These differing numbers take into account the graduating senior members and smaller membership numbers in the fall. Chapters with membership sizes below total (below average chapter size) can offer bids until they fill their available spots.

It is possible for a chapter to exceed total. This can occur during spring recruitment when chapters take the quota of new members. Quota is determined based on the potential new members remaining in the process on the final day of recruitment. Taking the full quota of new members can cause a chapter to go above total, but this is the only exception to the definition of total.

Is sorority membership required to have a full social life on campus?
While some women may feel that way, we do not believe that is the case. Our campus offers more than 150 student organizations, along with countless other opportunities for involvement and connection. There are many ways to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and have an active social life, and many students who are not members of fraternities or sororities still find strong communities and meaningful experiences here.

How long is the New Member period?
Six weeks - it begins on bid day and sorority initiation is no more than six weeks later.  

Parents often ask about hazing – does it happen, and what does the University do about it?
The University has a strict anti-hazing policy, which is outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. At Wake Forest, if an organization is found responsible for hazing its new members, they are held accountable as an organization.  There is also a hazing hotline at 336-758-HAZE (4293) for members of the Wake Forest community who wish to report anonymously any student behavior which may be of a hazing nature.  If parents encounter behavior they think could be hazing, they are encouraged to report specifics to the Office of the Dean of Students at 336.758.5226 or deanstud. Parents and students can request (and will be given) anonymity, but the University does need some specifics (name of organization, activity the student faced, etc.) to be able to investigate a charge of hazing.  

How much does it cost to be in a sorority?
Average new member dues are around $900, with subsequent semesters at an average of $400. The costs cover national chapter dues, housing fees and sorority activities. Additionally the breakdown for each chapter can be found here.

What are some of the benefits of sorority membership in your opinion?
One of the biggest benefits of sorority membership is the sense of belonging it provides. College can be overwhelming, and having a strong support system of women who genuinely care about you can make a big difference. A sorority creates a space where members encourage one another and grow together.

Membership also offers opportunities for personal and leadership development. Through planning events, serving in leadership roles, and working toward shared goals, women build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork experience. Sororities also emphasize service and philanthropy, giving members the chance to give back, while mentorship from older members can provide academic, social, and professional guidance.

While students are at Wake for their education first, being part of a sorority can enhance that experience by surrounding them with people who support their goals and want to see them succeed.

Where can parents go for more information?
The Fraternity/Sorority Life page of the Wake Forest website has more information.