What are Sororities?
Sororities are national or international sisterhoods with chapters at accredited colleges and universities. The 26 NPC organizations are value-based organizations. As extended family units, sororities offer warm, caring atmospheres which encourage individual development. This sisterhood lasts long after collegiate days are over. Alumnae women continue to stay involved in their local alumnae chapter and may serve as advisors to collegiate chapters. Sororities offer lifelong sisterhood and an academic support system.
WE ARE SMART. All-sorority and all-fraternity GPAs often exceed the all-women's, all-men's, and campus wide averages.
WE ARE DIVERSE. Sororities typically match the diversity of the campus population. Each groups is unique.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE. Members commit their sorority's success with financial commitment, academic achievement, and by giving of their time and talents.
WE HELP OTHERS. All sorority members participate in community service and raise money for charitable organizations.
WE ARE LEADERS. Sorority women are afforded many leadership opportunities in their own organizations and are often among the most visible campus leaders.
WE DO NOT HAZE. Hazing is prohibited by every sorority, and it is against the law. No-hazing policies are taught and enforced in every sorority.
WE ARE AFFORDABLE. Chapter members learn to plan, budget, and afford to participate. Many chapters offer housing and dining opportunities in-line with campus averages.
WE ARE NOT ALL RICH. Most sorority members are just normal people. Women in sororities maintain jobs, receive financial aid, and make choices about how to spend their money.
Top Reasons to Go Greek
A place to belong
Sororities bring that feeling of belonging; your family away from home. Sorority life gives a firm foundation to adjust to new college experiences.
The best sorority is the one where you feel at home. Keep an open mind during the process and trust the process!
Encourages commitment
Your sorority will push you to be the best you that you can be. Your skills and talents will be put to use in many ways.
Fun times
Sororities provide fun social events with your sisters, fraternities, and other organizations on campus.
Emphasis on academics
Sororities emphasize academics and help you succeed. They provide the right atmosphere and resources to encourage great study habits.
Promotes leadership
Your sorority will have many leadership opportunities from committee chairmen to serving on the executive committee. It will also encourage and support you in campus government and other campus organizations.
Make life-long friends
Collegiate sorority life is only the beginning. After college, you will participate in reunions with your sisters, alumnae chapters, and even your local Panhellenic organization.
Mississippi Collegiate Chapters
Mississippi State University
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Kappa Delta
Phi Mu
Pi Beta Phi
Zeta Tau Alpha
University of Mississippi
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Phi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Kappa Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Mu
Pi Beta Phi
University of Southern Mississippi
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Kappa Delta
Phi Mu
Frequently asked questions
What will joining a sorority do for me?
Empower personal growth and leadership skills
Achieve academic excellence
Build lifelong friendships
Unlock valuable networking opportunities
Make an impact through community service and philanthropy
How do I prepare for recruitment?
- Register for recruitment on your campus
- Learn about recruitment on your campus
- Research the parties and events you will be expected to attend
- Prepare some questions for the sorority women
How does recruitment work?
Each year sororities attract new members through a mutual selection process called recruitment. It is intended for you and the sorority women to meet and get to know each other as will as for you to learn more about each sorority and their values, traditions, philanthropies, and programing. You should attend any recruitment information sessions available to you or visit the Panhellenic site on your campus to find out the specifics of how your campus's recruitment process is set up.
What is a rec/reference/recommendation letter?
As you prepare for recruitment, you may hear about recommendation letters. These are forms or letters to introduce you to a chapter, and you are not required to have any letters of recommendation to participate in recruitment. Different sororities and different schools place varying amounts of importance on recommendations. In all 26 NPC organizations, it is the responsibility of the organization to obtain a recommendation.
Some, but not all, NPC groups accept or require letters of recommendation. Chapters wishing to extend a bid of membership to a PNM who does not have a letter of recommendation will work with their member organization to ensure all policies and procedures are followed.
How do I get recs?
It is up to the sorority members to find a recommendation for you. However, obtaining your own recommendations gives you the following advantages:
- A friend or acquaintance is more familiar with you and the recommendation will be more personal.
- You know you have obtained a recommendation for the sorority.
Use your community network to find out who in your life is in a sorority. Any member of a sorority can recommend you - not just members from your campus.
The local sorority women want potential new members from Jackson Metro Area to pledge their sororities. Do not be afraid to publicize that you will be entering formal recruitment. It is a goal of all sorority women to keep the Greek system strong. Alumnae that you may know casually or have lost touch with will usually be thrilled to help.
Do I need a formal "packet" of information?
When a sorority member writes a recommendation for you, they may need to know more about you than they already do so that they can present a well-rounded picture of your future involvement in their sorority. Its a good idea to offer them a packet that includes:
- Picture - a current, clear picture without other people in it
- Resume - include academic, social, and volunteer activities
- Thank You - its a nice touch to add a thank you note for the person writing your recommendation letter
What are some terms I need to know?
Example answer to the question. Feel free to customize this content with the actual information you want to provide.
Alumna/Alumnae: A member of a sorority who has graduated.
Chapter: A "branch" of a sorority. Collegiate chapters are found on college campuses. Alumnae chapters are usually organized by geographic areas.
Legacy: A daughter, granddaughter, sister, or great-granddaughter of a sorority member. Being a legacy does NOT mean automatic membership into that chapter.
New Member or Pledge: A member of a sorority who has not been initiated.
Potential New Member (PNM): A college woman who has chosen to participate in the recruitment process .
Quota: The specified number of recruitment guests to which each sorority may extend a bid.
Recruitment Counselor (or Gamma Chi): A sorority woman who has disaffiliated herself from her chapter during Formal Recruitment. She is specially trained to assist Potential New Members throughout the recruitment process and to answer any questions they may have about sorority membership.
Recommendation (Rec): A form or a personal letter of provided by a sorority alumna to the chapter of her sorority on campus recommending a potential new member for membership. It may also be referred to as sponsorship or reference. This does NOT guarantee a bid from any sorority.
Silence: The period of time after the close of preference events and prior to the distribution of bids when there is no communication between potential new members and sorority women. Some campuses my have additional no-contact periods during recruitment.
Will my grades suffer if I join a sorority?
Sorority women take their grades very seriously. Scholarship is always a focus in chapter goal setting, and the women are always striving to have the highest GPA on campus. A minimum GPA is usually required to remain a member in good standing and to maintain chapter and campus leadership positions.
What do I wear for recruitment?
Each college will provide you with guidelines specific to each day of parties. Ask your recruitment counselor or college Panhellenic representative for clarification. Many campuses will stage a “fashion show” or publish examples as a guideline. Once you register for recruitment, you should receive information specific to your campus.
HINT: Recruitment is not a perfect system, and the women will have very little time to get to know you. Therefore, it is suggested that you dress as you would for a school, religious, or family party, not as you would if you were going out with your friends. The recruitment process can be compared to an interview, except the interview is being conducted two ways.
How much will a sorority cost?
Dues vary by university and sorority. Typically, the first semester includes new member and initiation fees along with regular dues and is therefore the most expensive semester. If your sorority has a house, you may have the expense of dining or lodging, when applicable. Remember that these fees look high, but they are typically aligned with on-campus lodging.
Your college Panhellenic will provide more specific information. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is well within your rights to determine what your financial obligations will be.
Why pledge as a freshman?
There are many advantages to pledge as soon as your first semester:
- Sororities love freshman because they can maintain their membership for four or more years. Freshmen have an advantage over upperclassmen on some campuses.
- The sorority house gives you a home away from home. Your sorority sisters can be a surrogate family or support network. You will have the privilege of this support network as you adjust to experiencing college life for the first time.
- Sororities provide a strong academic program for their new members. An officer responsible for your academic well-being typically oversees study hours. You will most likely gain instant access to upperclassmen in your major. In addition, if you are struggling with a course, you are likely to find sorority members who can help.
What if I am an upperclassman? Should I still participate in recruitment?
Absolutely. Although freshman may have a slight advantage, upperclassmen have a proven college scholastic record and organization participation. This is important to chapters ensuring their scholastic standing.
There are some campuses that have a separate quota placed on the number of sophomores and juniors that can be accept as new members so that upperclassmen are not competing directly with freshmen.
Should I be afraid that I will be mistreated (hazed) as a new member in a sorority?
No. Unfortunately, Greek members are portrayed very negatively in the media and in Hollywood today. The image of an exclusive party culture is exploited. Philanthropic, academic, and personal development activities are often overlooked. Greek members are more likely to have better GPA’S and act in leadership roles in their communities and college campuses. Greek life departments continue to support programs that educate young men and women on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as, date rape and other important issues.
All NPC groups and universities have adopted a “no tolerance” approach to hazing violations. Abuse of any sorority member is immediately confronted, and the individuals involved are often stripped of their membership. Groups that frequently break the no-hazing policy are forced to remove their chapter from campus. NPC sororities adopted this strict policy many years before the heightened attention to it, and they have lead the rest of the Greek community in this direction.