What Goes on During Pledging for a Sorority Once You Receive a Bid?

Rush week is an exciting, but also exhausting time. You typically attend social mixers, visit houses and interact with current sorority members. The goal is to receive a bid from your preferred house at the end of the week. Though each school is different, several common things occur after the bid stage.


While receiving a bid is the sorority's formal commitment to accept you as a new member, you must make the final decision on whether to accept a bid. Some recruits pull out of the recruitment process during rush week. Though less common, others decide to reject a bid. You may decide you don't want to join a sorority at the last minute or you didn't get the bid you want. Some schools restrict you from rushing for a year if you reject a bid.


Once you accept a bid, a Greek life staff member or a sister in your sorority takes you to the house to meet other current members and new recruits. New pledges are introduced to the current members and vice versa. At this point, or after a few days, you are assigned a "big sister." This is your new best friend in the house who helps show you the ropes and make sure you get to the important events.


Later that night or within a couple days, a formal induction ceremony and celebration takes place. The specifics vary, but each sorority usually has rituals and pledges you go through to formalize your membership. If you will live in a sorority house, you normally have a formal move-in where sisters help you get settled. The induction is complete with a house party to celebrate and get acclimated to the new environment.


The first few weeks of a sorority life is largely intended to help you learn the house rules, philosophies and culture. Your big sister is a part of this process. She takes you to formals, socials and other activities. You also go through various new member activities to get more comfortable and to better understand your responsibilities. In general, the sisters want to instill a sense of commitment and loyalty to your new sisters.

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