Welcome to USD's Panhellenic Recruitment Schedule & FAQ page! As a Panhellenic community, we remember how joining a sorority can feel exciting yet overwhelming. We want to make sure that you feel as prepared as possible. This page shares more details about recruitment programming, a list of commonly asked questions, and other helpful information regarding Panhellenic recruitment processes.
Panhellenic primary recruitment will take place in January 2027, starting with a potential new member orientation on the evening of Tuesday, January 19. The following 3 days (January 20-22) are the primary recruitment process in which all potential new members have the opportunity to get to know the seven Panhellenic chapters here at USD. At the end of the process, on the morning of Saturday, January 23, chapters extend "bids" (invitations to membership) to a certain number of potential new members, based on mutual selection.
If you have any questions about the primary recruitment process, feel free to reach out to the Vice President of Recruitment at usdphcrecruitment@gmail.com.
Tuesday, January 19
PNM Orientation
Brief evening introduction and welcome to the primary recruitment process
Potential New Member (PNM) Orientation is an opportunity for all students registered for primary recruitment to meet their recruitment counselor (RC) and RC small group. All PNMs will learn about what to expect from recruitment and sorority life, including but not limited to the schedule of recruitment, financial and academic commitments, Panhellenic sisterhood, and more. All information regarding PNM orientation will be sent out to all students registered and eligible for recruitment prior to the date.
January 20-22
Primary Recruitment
Changemaking Day
PNMs will visit all 6 chapters, learning about their values, philanthropic and fundraising efforts, community service, social justice practices, and leadership opportunities.
Sisterhood Day
PNMS will have the opportunity to visit up to 4 chapters, gaining more insight into their sisterhood, friendships, and lifelong membership. Important to note that each schedule will vary per person.
Preference Day
PNMs will have the opportunity to visit up to 2 chapters, seeing a unique glimpse into their traditions, history, and impact. Important to note that schedule will vary per person.
Saturday, January 23
Bid Day
Brief morning celebration and conclusion to the primary recruitment process
Bid day is the celebration of welcoming new members into the Panhellenic community. Bid distribution will take place with Recruitment Counselors and select members of the 6 Panhellenic chapters. Bid day will conclude with new members joining their chapter for celebration and bonding. Schedules will vary by chapter.
Basic Recruitment Information
Primary Recruitment is the process of a potential new member (PNM) meeting all Panhellenic chapters at USD and learning what they might want to get out of and contribute to the community, should they receive an invitation and choose to join a sorority. Primary Recruitment is a uniquely structured opportunity to learn about each chapter and meet the active members involved in sorority life, as well as provide space for chapters to get to know the potential new members.
Primary Recruitment is based on shared values and mutual selection. Following each day of recruitment, PNMs prioritize the chapters that they feel align most closely with their values, and the chapters prioritize PNMs as well. Each day, PNMs will attend fewer recruitment events than the day before, becoming closer to finding a lifelong sisterhood and new home here at USD.
Primary Recruitment is typically held in the week before the start of the Spring academic semester. 2027 Primary Recruitment, including orientation and bid day, will take place on January 19-23.
Informal Recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is another recruitment opportunity for chapters who have the space to recruit members outside of the primary recruitment process. Informal recruitment or COB can take place during the fall semester (typically September to October) or directly after primary recruitment in the spring (typically February to March). Informal recruitment is a less structured process than primary recruitment because it is hosted by individual chapters, not by the College Panhellenic Association. Some chapters choose to host open recruitment events, while other chapters choose to host invitation-only events. Typically, not all chapters are able to participate in informal recruitment in any given semester.
Informal recruitment can be a particularly good fit for students who are not able to commit to the time requirements of the primary recruitment process, as well as for students who miss the primary recruitment registration deadline but are still eligible and interested in joining a chapter. Students may participate in one or multiple informal recruitment processes, but may only accept a bid to one chapter.
All students that participate in informal recruitment must meet the same eligibility as with primary recruitment: have completed 12 units at USD or 24 transfer units, have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA at USD, and have completed the new student wellness modules.
When permitted to take place in person, recruitment events are typically held on USD's campus in various locations, including the UC Forums, Maher Hall, Serra Hall, and Shiley Theatre.
For Informal Recruitment, participating students receive information about the location of recruitment events directly from the host chapter.
For Primary Recruitment, participating students receive a booklet with location details during Recruitment Orientation and are connected with a recruitment counselor and small group who help them physically, emotionally, and socially navigate the recruitment process.
For 2027 primary recruitment, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will periodically review health and safety guidelines and consult with campus partners to make appropriate determinations about in-person, hybrid, or virtual recruitment. Any virtual components will take place through the Zoom videoconferencing platform.
**If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility or accommodations to more fully participate in any recruitment process, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at fsl@sandiego.edu at least two weeks prior to the start of your recruitment process.
There are currently many different sororities at the University of San Diego! Five sororities are member organizations of the Multicultural Greek Council, and six sororities are member organizations of the College Panhellenic Association. USD students are also eligible for membership in NPHC city-wide chapters, also known as Black Greek-letter organizations. Students interested in joining a sorority are encouraged to consider all of their options across the Councils, which have different joining processes, membership costs, and sisterhood experiences. Click around the FSL website to learn more about different sororities.
In addition to programs hosted by the College Panhellenic Association throughout the year, each student participating in Panhellenic primary recruitment will receive a booklet at orientation with more specific information about each chapter.
Following the @usdpanhellenic and @mgc_usd accounts on Instagram can also be helpful in learning more about the respective chapters, Councils, and sorority community.
Recruitment Requirements/Eligibility
To participate in primary recruitment:
- All students must have completed the primary recruitment registration form.
- All students must have completed 12 units at USD prior to the beginning of recruitment or 24 transfer units, and must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA at USD.
- All students must complete the New Student Wellness Modules:
- Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion for Students
- AlcoholEdu for College
- Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates
- Hazing Awareness & PreventionEdu
- Pending health and safety guidelines, additional expectations may be set by the University. More information will be shared by email to registered PNMs in the weeks leading up to primary recruitment, if necessary.
A student must be fully matriculated at the University of San Diego with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher to be eligible for recruitment. GPAs are not rounded up. Note that many chapters also have their own GPA requirement that may be above 2.50.
We check grades and units based on a report from the Registrar shortly after recruitment registration closes. All grade changes or issues regarding grades must be discussed/reported to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life no later than January 4, 2027.
We are not able to make any GPA eligibility exceptions for any reason.
For students who began their college experience at USD: A student must have completed 12 units at the University of San Diego before the beginning of recruitment. Credits earned through dual enrollment or AP/IB coursework are not included in this calculation. Typically, this means the earliest a student is eligible for membership is in their second semester at USD, if they took a full course load in their first semester.
For transfer students to USD: A transfer student in their first semester at USD must have successfully transferred 24 units to be eligible for recruitment. After their first semester at USD, transfer students must instead meet the above-continuing student minimum (12+ units earned at USD).
We check grades and units based on a report from the Registrar shortly after recruitment registration closes. Any concerns related to credits or units must be discussed/reported to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life no later than January 4, 2027.
We may be able to grant an exception to the credits/units requirement for students who received a reduced course load accommodation through the DLDRC. No other exceptions are granted for the credit/unit minimum.
Letters of recommendation are not required to participate in Panhellenic recruitment, and potential new members should not feel pressured to secure any letters of recommendation.
At larger colleges and universities, letters of recommendation are sometimes helpful in providing more information about a potential new member. As a smaller, more tight-knit community at the University of San Diego, chapters do not need such additional information. Please note that the FSL Office and the Panhellenic Recruitment Team do not manage, process, or forward any letters of recommendation.
Please visit the chapter's national website (listed below) for information regarding optional letters of recommendation if you would like to submit them. Some organizations also have optional forms for potential new members to introduce themselves in the form of a self-recommendation.
If you have been through the recruitment process at your previous institution and were not initiated into a National Panhellenic Conference sorority, then you are eligible to take part in recruitment at USD and join another sorority.
If you went through recruitment at another school and were initiated into a National Panhellenic Conference sorority, then you are not eligible to go through recruitment and join another NPC sorority. For more information, you can read through the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements online. There may still be opportunities to be involved in the FSL community; reach out to fsl@sandiego.edu to learn more!
If you are a member of a sorority that you joined at another school, and would like to be involved with the same sorority at USD, you should contact your chapter leadership or national sorority to ask about transfer affiliation procedures.
Registering for Recruitment
The Spring 2027 Panhellenic Primary Recruitment registration will go live on October 12, 2026, and close on January 3, 2027, at the following link: usdpanhellenic.mycampusdirector2.com.
There are no late primary recruitment registrations are accepted for any reason. If you are not sure your registration was submitted, you can email usdphcrecruitment@gmail.com to double-check.
There is no registration required to participate in informal recruitment, but students can email usdphcrecruitment@gmail.com to be added to an interest list that will be shared with chapters. Chapters may choose to reach out with more information. Student eligibility will still need to be confirmed by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life before joining any chapter.
There is a one-time, flat-rate fee of $65 to participate in the primary recruitment process; this fee is due at registration.
The registration fee typically covers all costs associated with putting on primary recruitment, including but not limited to printing and copying costs, room reservations, training supplies for recruitment counselors, technology and software, name tags, snacks, and PNM orientation materials.
Please note: Refunds will not be issued for any withdrawals made after December 11th. This is because the Panhellenic Recruitment Team begins planning for your participation at that time.
If you wish to withdraw, please email us at fsl@sandiego.edu before the December 11th deadline.
After you finish your Primary Recruitment registration, you should check your own eligibility status by calculating your units completed at USD, your cumulative GPA at USD, and your new student wellness modules status, as well as try to finish the semester with a strong academic performance. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will follow up in early to mid January with an update if you are not eligible to participate in the process.
Additionally, look out for future communications from Panhellenic Recruitment Team to help you feel prepared, excited, and open about the primary recruitment process, including later information connecting you to your recruitment counselor, other Panhellenic programs, and stories/insight from current sorority members.
Housing, Conflicts, Logistics
For 2027 Primary Recruitment, students should plan to be available to participate in recruitment from January 19-23 (avoid making travel plans on these days if at all possible).
Each year, we work with our campus partners in Housing to assess the opportunity for early move-in and intersession housing at reduced rates; this information will be communicated towards the end of the Fall semester.
Yes. Intersession hours are posted towards the end of the Fall semester on the Auxiliary Services Website.
We want you to wear whatever you feel most confident and comfortable in during the recruitment process! PNMs do not need to purchase any new or specific clothing in order to participate. We encourage you not to worry too much about your clothing, as that is not important to us in the USD community. We care more about learning who you are and getting to know you.
Here are some simple guidelines/what to expect chapters to be wearing:
- Orientation: Wear whatever you want - casual. You will be meeting with your Recruitment Counselor, participating in orientation, and meeting other potential new members.
- Day 1 (Changemaking): Wear whatever you want - casual. You will be provided a Panhellenic t-shirt to wear, and most chapters will be wearing t-shirts.
- Day 2 (Sisterhood Day): PNMs are encouraged to wear something that shows off their personal style - snappy casual. This could include jeans, pants, jumpsuits, skirts, sweaters, blouses, and/or dresses. Chapter attire will vary from jeans and tops to semi-formal dresses.
- Day 3 (Preference Day): PNMs are encouraged to dress up a bit more - semi-formal. This could include dress pants, jumpsuits, skirts, blouses, and/or dresses. Most chapters will be wearing semi-formal attire such as dresses and pantsuits.
- Day 4 (Bid Day): Wear whatever you want - casual. Many photos will be taken to celebrate new members in the chapter! Your chapter may offer a t-shirt or small accessories if you accept an invitation to membership.
Comfortable shoes are highly encouraged for each day of primary recruitment.
The PNM orientation will take place on Tuesday evening, typically between 3-8 pm (Pacific time).
Bid day will take place on Saturday morning, typically between 10 am-2 pm (Pacific time), followed by chapter welcome events which may go as late as 8 pm.
In general, the three days of primary recruitment are full days, so we encourage PNMs to be as available as possible from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm on days one, two, and three (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). It is possible that a PNM could begin their day later, or end their day earlier, than the times listed, but greater availability allows for more opportunity to participate fully in the process. Any scheduling conflicts must be communicated by Friday, January 15th, to be accommodated.
Each schedule is also built with breaks in mind, including an hour timeframe for lunch, earlier end times where possible, and an attempt to schedule no more than 4 consecutive events in a row, though PNM conflicts may result in less-than-ideal schedules.
Because the recruitment process is based on mutual selection, individual schedules are created each morning and shared with PNMs at the beginning of each day (e.g., a PNM receives their personalized Sisterhood Day schedule on the morning of Sisterhood Day) in their meeting with their recruitment counselor. PNMs are expected to attend all recruitment events to which they receive an invitation; unexcused absences may result in a PNM being released from the process.
Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 16, 2026.
While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.
Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 15, 2027. It is most helpful if you can provide specific information about your return dates, flights, access to wi-fi, and any other travel arrangements.
While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.
Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! It will be important to communicate your scheduling needs with both Panhellenic and your respective team/coach to ensure you are still meeting your athletic obligations. Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 15, 2027.
While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.
It depends! While we do our best to accommodate conflicts resulting from University programs (such as academic courses, study abroad, transfer orientation, student leader training, and athletic teams), we are not always able to accommodate personal conflicts.
We encourage you to try to make yourself available for as much of the primary recruitment schedule as possible. This includes the afternoon/evening of Tuesday the 20th, as many of the days (9 am-10 pm) on Wednesday-Friday as possible, and the morning/afternoon of Saturday the 24th. You may not need to be available for all of those times, but having a clear calendar will improve your ability to be fully present throughout the process and maximize your opportunities for invitations.
By sharing recruitment dates far enough in advance, we hope this will assist you in rescheduling appointments, shifts, other student organization involvement, or obligations that may limit your ability to be successful in the recruitment process. If you have an extenuating circumstance that cannot be rescheduled, please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 15, 2027.
PNMs are expected to attend all recruitment events to which they receive an invitation; unexcused absences may result in a PNM being released from the process.
Miscellaneous Questions
New Member dues are different for each chapter but tend to be within the $600-$999 range. After the first semester of membership, active dues tend to be less expensive, within the $300-$600 range. Chapter dues are calculated based on a variety of factors, including chapter member input.
During the second day of recruitment (Sisterhood Day), chapters share information about their specific dues structure. PNMs are encouraged to ask questions about what dues go towards, payment timelines, and any chapter support available.
All potential new members will be provided a booklet with an updated range of the anticipated cost breakdown for each chapter in 2027. We encourage you to view the Costs page for more specific information regarding the financial obligations of membership in previous years and how Panhellenic is working to make membership more financially accessible.
Like letters of recommendation, each chapter has its own inter/national policies to follow with respect to legacies in the recruitment process and beyond.
The exact definition of “legacy” can vary across organizations, but typically refers to a potential new member with a close family member who is an initiated member in good standing of a sorority, such as a grandmother, mother or sister.
It has never been the case at USD that someone would automatically receive a bid just because they were a legacy. All potential new members must meet the organization’s criteria for membership selection, which are always values-based.
However, historically, legacies have been given preferential treatment in Panhellenic recruitment processes. Many organizations have re-evaluated their legacy policy to promote a more equitable recruitment experience for all. For the most current information regarding specific chapter legacy policies, please visit the inter/national organization website, or read more at the links below.
- Alpha Chi Omega removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021
- Gamma Phi Beta removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021
- Kappa Alpha Theta removed legacy preferential treatment in 2020
- Kappa Delta - removed legacy preferential treatment in 2022
- Kappa Kappa Gamma removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021
- Pi Beta Phi removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021
A PNM may choose to indicate legacy status on the registration form, may tell the chapter during a recruitment event, or may choose not to disclose any legacy affiliation. Legacy status or affiliation is not a requirement to participate in Panhellenic recruitment.
Systemic issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ableism, etc. are present and perpetuated in Panhellenic sororities. While these injustices are not limited to Panhellenic, they are deeply embedded in our community and we are responsible for changing them.
The College Panhellenic Association has done significant work over the past few years to create a more socially just community. Such projects have included racial equity audits of the executive board positions, responsibilities, and budget; the creation of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position; and educational workshops for Panhellenic delegates/nominating committee, recruitment chairs, and other student leadership. The work is not done, and we need new members who can continue this momentum into the future. You are both shaped by and shaping every community to which you belong. The primary recruitment process itself has also been adjusted to intentionally create space for conversations on the first day (“Changemaking Day”) focused on social justice, community engagement, fundraising/philanthropy efforts, and leadership opportunities. Chapters are encouraged to talk openly and honestly about diversity and inclusion within their chapter. PNMs are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions to help themselves understand which, if any, sisterhood they could see themselves joining.
While a student cannot belong to multiple social sororities, the College Panhellenic Association supports potential new members exploring culturally-based sororities, such as the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) or the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters, before making a decision. Each student has the right to choose between different sorority membership opportunities. MGC and NPHC chapters also provide a social environment, a beautiful sisterhood, a strong focus on academics and service, and a lifelong membership experience.