Joining a sorority is a lifelong dream for many college women and often ranks high on the must-do list for an overall university experience. Whether she is a legacy to multiple groups or the first woman in her family to attend college, being a part of a sisterhood can have a tremendous positive impact on a college woman's life. When preparing for sorority recruitment, it is important to understand the costs associated with going Greek. Sorority recruitment and sorority membership have fees associated with them so it is wise to understand what it will cost to join a National Panhellenic Conference organization.
Cost of Sorority Recruitment
There is generally a registration fee for formal recruitment that is payable to the campus Panhellenic. It may vary from $10 to $75 or more. The fee is usually non-refundable and covers the cost of the recruitment itself such as printing, postage, buses, etc.
Other costs associated with recruitment will depend upon the individual woman and campus. Some schools have a recruitment with very specific dress recommendations. At a very competitive school, most women will spend quite a bit to purchase outfits that fit the recommendations for each round of parties. At less competitive schools or schools with a more casual recruitment, women may simply wear things already in their closet. The college Panhellenic website or mailings should include details regarding appropriate dress for each round.
Pledging and Initiation Fees
The semester a woman pledges and goes through initiation is by far the most expensive. The pledging fee is usually set by the national organization.
When it is time for initiation into full membership, there is an initiation fee which is again set by the national organization. There is also the expense of the pin or badge. This cost varies from sorority to sorority. Some sororities require all members to have an identical badge. Other groups allow women to choose different stones or pearls which can make the pin more or less expensive depending on the taste of the member.
Membership Dues
Each semester or quarter, there are membership dues for both the chapter and the national organization. The local dues are set by the chapter with approval of the national organization.
Membership dues can vary widely from campus to campus and even among the different sororities on the same campus. The dues pay for activities, supplies and other costs associated with running the organization.
Housing Related Fees
For sorority chapters with houses, the women living in will pay for their room and board. This is usually comparable to the costs of living in the residence halls or dorms, but can also vary significantly. Factors impacting the cost of housing fees include the age of the house and whether it has a mortgage, the number of chapter members, the standard of living in the house and other extras.
For members living out of the house, there is usually a parlor fee or something comparable. This is the part the member contributes to the use of the house and its upkeep. The parlor fee is not large, but it is an additional expense.
Incidental Costs Related to Social Activities
The last costs related to sorority membership involve social activities and other extras. Required events are usually covered in membership dues. But sororities keep active social calendars and sometimes these extra events also cost extra. The amount spent will depend to a great degree on the interest of each individual member in doing the extras.
Other incidental costs include purchasing clothing and miscellaneous items with the sorority letters or crest, gifts for sisters, and other things that pop up between friends. Again, this will vary widely depending on the woman, the sorority and the campus.
During recruitment each sorority should clearly display the different costs associated with membership. This information may be included in the recruitment booklet put out by Panhellenic, or it may be displayed in each house. If finances are an important consideration in the selection process, it is important to review this information while completing sorority membership recruitment. By informing herself of the costs involved, a potential new member can make an informed decision and be confident that she is joining the best sorority for her.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
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