Believe it or not, it’s time for the Sorority Recruitment process to begin! The answer to “Mom, can I go through rush?” may send visions of dollar signs dancing in your head. For most, the costs are worth it. They were for us. But it isn't cheap.
Knowing costs and benefits ahead of time, can save time and money if you determine now that it isn't a good fit. The application process requires time, effort, and a bit of cash. You are smart to consider all of this before you are in too deep.
But, what exactly are those costs?
Before reading below, please understand that the program at each school will be different, and that dollar amounts can change. Also, some costs are optional or can be creatively modified. But rarely have we seen these cost categories spelled out. Hopefully this blog will help you better prepare for what’s ahead. Our daughters have joined in to give you our tips since we just finished up the process.
Registration Fees (usually done the summer prior to Fall/Early Spring Rush)
To go thru “recruitment” at your college, you might have more than 1 Panhellenic registration fee:
Costs for college Panhellenic registration: as low as $25 up to $250+ for registering late. Amber says to pay attention to deadlines like you did when you were applying for college – you can actually save money this way! Costs for registering with your hometown Panhellenic can be free or can involve another charge up to $50-$100.
Recruitment Packets
You may refer to them differently depending upon where you live, but these packets are the paperwork you need to gather to introduce yourself to each sorority. Some schools require less than others, so it’s good to check with your college’s Panhellenic. Costs for this could include:
Many schools are moving to on-line transmission, so this cost really varies. You can take your own pictures or get a photographer. The cost for this can swing significantly depending upon how many sororities are on your particular campus.
Cost of going to Pre-Recruitment Events in the Spring before the Freshman Year
Many schools help “potential new members” mentally prepare for upcoming recruitment and host events where the girls can visit their future college campus. Amber enjoyed seeing what the sorority houses/rooms looked like, and meeting the sisters. Your costs here might include:
The Costs of the actual Recruitment (Rush) Week(s) Clothing
as most colleges allow the rushes to move in early, but be sure to check whether the cafeterias will be open or your student will need to eat on her own.
Many moms like to travel to the college on Bid Day to cheer on their daughter. This is the day the potential new members find out which young women are pledging which sorority. Costs can include:
These dues are typically higher due to one-time costs.
Costs: we’ve seen from $400-$2,000+
These dues vary depending on how the campus and sorority handle meal plans, meeting facilities, and dorms vs. sorority house. Absolutely, you will want to read all the materials from the college’s Panhellenic as most will provide a table or chart with estimated costs. Be sure to consider:
Cost Summary: as there are so many possibilities here, we strongly urge you to check with your college Panhellenic. Just read the “fine print” to see what the numbers on the chart cover and whether they are quoted by semester or by the year. This section could easily be $thousands per year.
Ok, hidden might not be the right word to use, but many forget that these costs DO occur and you will want to consider them. Among them are:
Costs: our survey from current sorority members reflect a range of $100-$500+ per year.
While there are many great reasons to pledge a sorority, if the costs seem a bridge too far for you, then you will survive not joining one – we promise. Typically the percentage of kids in sororities are no more than 30% or less of the kids on campus. There are hundreds of other fabulous groups to join at college that are far cheaper. Remember, the dues are collected by one of the girls in the sorority, typically the treasurer. She will be one of your “sisters”, your peer, and you will see her at weekly meetings. Putting her into a “collection” mode will be very uncomfortable.
Does it sound like we are discouraging sorority life? Absolutely not. All of the positive things you have heard such as lifetime friends, a built-in friend group as you hit campus, an opportunity to hold office and serve, are all true. Just knowing the costs and how to prepare for them will make the whole experience much more pleasant. Hopefully this will help you make a better “rush or not rush” decision.
We are off to find our pledge book and laugh at how skinny we used to be! If you have any other costs and/or savings ideas to share, please do in the comments below. We are still in the mode of our girls going thru recruitment and would love to learn from you.
Just in case you need links to the national Panhellenic and individual sororities, click on this link: (Hat Tip: thesororitylife.com
thesororitylife.com/Recruitment-101
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