WHAT DO SORORITIES LOOK FOR IN A PNM?
Before we start, there is no formula for the perfect potential new member. Every sorority is different and votes differently. No matter how the sorority votes, the #1 quality the members look for is a friend. They want to connect with you.
There are a couple of qualities every sorority looks for in a new member.
#1. Potential new members who the members can be friends with
#2. Potential new members who can back a philanthropy
#3. Potential new members who are devoted
Potential new members who are willing to stay for 3 to 4 years.
#4. Potential new members who are committed to their academics
If you look closely at these qualities, they usually are relevant to the rounds of recruitment. The rounds allow the members to focus on a specific topic like sisterhood or philanthropy. During the rounds, the members ask important questions to see if you are the right fit for the sorority.
Friendships
Friendship binds a sorority together. It is what makes a sorority a home away from home. Your sorority friends are like your family.
When the sorority members vote on you, they look to see if they can connect with you [Are you similar to their friends?].
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It is also important for you to see if the sorority members are potential friends. Once you join, you will be spending a ton of time with these women you need to find sisters who seem like friends.
How do you know you are clicking with the sorority members?
It all comes down to connections. It is a similar feeling to when you met your best friends. You leave the conversation and know you have a lot in common. You are hoping to continue to talk to her and learn more about her.
Philanthropy
Every sorority raises money for its philanthropy. They host philanthropy events. They want to give back to the community. Therefore, the sorority members are looking for potential new members who will participate in the philanthropy events and help the community.
You might be wondering, “How do you talk your past volunteer work?”
At some sororities, the members ask you questions about your past involvement and how you want to get involved on campus. When you are asked these questions, use it as a time to brag about yourself and share why these activities are important to you.
If asked, “How were you involved in high school?” — how many clubs and volunteer opportunities can you talk about?
It is tempted to start listing your resumes. You want to list the twenty different things you did over your four years of high school. However, when you ONLY share the activities,
It is overwhelming for the member.
The member starts to drift off and not listen.
She only learns facts about you. Facts do not help people make decision or get you invited back to the next round.
Instead, you want to talk about ONE club and why it is important to you. When you focus your answer about ONE thing, it is easy for the member to ask you a random question or have a conversation with you. Both help the member connect to you. When she connects to you, she goes from seeing you as a random potential new member to someone who wants in her sorority. In this case, you have increased your chances of being invited back.
Devotion
The goal of every sorority is to have its members stay FOUR years. Every member does not always stay all for years. Sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe some members are graduating early. Maybe some members have other time commitments and cannot make time for the sorority. Maybe some members cannot afford the sorority anymore. Leaving early is not a big deal. The sororities have the option to go early alumna.
Here is the problem. The sorority does not want a ton of members to stay for a semester or a year and drop. It looks bad for the sorority on a local level and a national level.
How does devotion play out during sorority recruitment?
During sorority recruitment, the sorority members look to see how devoted are you. They want to see that you want to be there. They want to know you are excited and engaged.
How do you show your devotion?
For most colleges, every round you meet new sorority members. You have to make a good first impression with every member. You have to smile. You have to engage in the conversations. You have to break out of the script. You have to make connections.
Want to learn more about your first impressions? Click HERE.
Grades
Sororities are all about academics. You might be thinking, “Wait, WHAT!?!” Yes! All sororities place a strong emphasis on academics. They actually pride themselves on their high GPAs.
What is up with that? Why do they care about grades so much?
The sororities want to see you achieve your goals. They want to see you go on and become a successful adult.
The sorority members will cut you after Round 1 if your GPA is too low.
Why?
Since grades are important to sororities, it is risky for the sorority to give a bid to a new member who is not up to standards. They are worried she is not able to meet the standards of the sorority. I know it is harsh. No individual is defined just by their grades. It is just how the voting process works. It is an easy way to cut women after Round 1.
If your grades are lower than the required GPA for the sorority, I recommend you get your grades up and then go through sorority recruitment. Most sororities will not make an exception for GPA.
How do you know what the required GPA is?
The Panhellenic required GPA should be listed on your college’s Panhellenic website. Most Panhellenic minimum GPAs are around 2.7 to 3.0. However, many times, each sorority’s minimum GPA is higher than the GPA on the website. The highest sorority minimum GPA I have seen is a 3.6.
It is extremely important to note, if your college has primary recruitment in the Spring, you need to focus on your studies during the Fall. Your grades could be a make or break for your dream sorority. If you are struggling in a class, reach out and get the help you need. There is no shame in getting help!
DO YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK HELP YOU STAND OUT OR GAIN RUSH CRUSH STATUS DURING SORORITY RECRUITMENT?
When you depend on Youtube and TikTok for advice, you prepare like everyone else. When you look like everyone else, you do not stand out. If a sorority can only invite back 30% of all PNMs, how will you show them that you deserve to be in the top 30%?
Instead of using advice and being the Overlooked Potential New Member, you want to use a step-by-step plan to gain Rush Crush status -- stand out, have options, and run home to a sorority you love. Click the video below to see how CRUSH [sorority recruitment coaching] can help you create and implement your plan.
You have a math test in two weeks that is worth 90% of your grade for the class. You want to get an A. You are looking for guidance on how to get your A.
First, you ask a friend, not in your math class, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She says, “You need to study.” This answer leaves you frustrated.
Then, you ask your teacher, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She gives you a step-by-step plan.
Who was more helpful?
Your teacher, right?
To get an A, you need to know the right information and have a step-by-step plan.
To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit for the sorority before and during sorority recruitment. A step-by-step plan tells you how and when to communicate.
BUT… why do so many women going through sorority recruitment ONLY use the advice they find on Youtube and TikTok? Does it help them stand out and get a bid?
Click the video below to see how The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment can help you create and implement your plan.