The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is comprised of twenty-six member sororities. These sororities have thousands of chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Each sorority has a wide variety of unique chapters in both size and reputation. Even with this variety, there are some readily recognizable differences between southern and northern sorority chapters. These differences are especially evident in sorority membership recruitment.
Sorority Rush in South
Membership recruitment is generally much more competitive in the south. This is especially true in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) universities such as Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia and Arkansas as well as many Texas universities, in particular the University of Texas at Austin. Recruitment is also competitive in many Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools, but not to the same degree as the SEC and Texas. Sorority membership in some parts of the south is seen as not only a vital part of college life but absolutely essential for finding the correct southern social niche after college.
There are competitive membership recruitments in northern schools. Schools such as Indiana University and the University of Illinois feature large recruitments with a high level of competition. However, by and large the most competitive membership recruitments are generally in the south.
Legacies and References in Southern Sorority Recruitment
Legacies are women with close relatives who are sorority members. Legacy guidelines are set by each national sorority and can include relationships such as sisters, mothers, grandmothers, cousins, and aunts. Legacies should carefully follow the published procedures for each NPC sorority. The number of legacies participating in membership recruitment is significantly higher in southern sorority chapters. Many chapters in the south have more legacies going through recruitment than they have available openings. This adds to the overall competitiveness of recruitment in the south. Northern sororities also have legacies, but the numbers are significantly lower.
References or letters of recommendation are a critical part of membership recruitment at the more competitive southern campuses. Potential new members must obtain at least one reference for every sorority they will meet during recruitment and often must have two in order to have any serious opportunity to receive a membership invitation. As a result, southern sororities receive thousands of references prior to formal recruitment. Northern chapters often receive only a handful of references for recruitment and references usually have little to no impact on a potential new member’s chances of receiving an invitation to join a sorority.
Life Impact of Sorority Membership in the South
Sorority membership can significantly enhance the life experience of all members as it offers many benefits. But in some parts of the south and Texas, membership in the right sorority is of paramount importance in many social circles. Failing to obtain an invitation to membership from the “right” sorority at the “right” school can be seen as a significant failing. Although not as common now, some women will literally change schools in order to be a part of the "right" sorority.
Expectations in the north are significantly different. While some northern chapters are considered more prestigious or desirable, membership in the “right” group does not carry the same social impact as in many areas of the south. Sorority membership is a perk of college and can open doors for many northern women, but it is considerably less important to most members than those in the south who have been raised literally since birth to join the right sorority.
Although all NPC sorority members share many common bonds, their collegiate membership experience can vary significantly. Sorority membership recruitment in the north and south carries with it some significant differences that can carry on throughout life. But with proper preparation, most potential new members go on to find a sorority home they love and that suits them best.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
