What Is Rush Week? Everything You Need to Know

What Is Rush, Exactly?

Rush — or, more formally, recruitment — is the process by which fraternities and sororities invite new members to join their organizations. It is, at its core, a mutual selection process: chapters evaluate potential new members, and potential new members evaluate chapters. Both sides are simultaneously deciding whether there is a good fit.

The term "rush" is more commonly associated with fraternity recruitment, while "sorority recruitment" is the preferred term for the women's process — particularly for chapters governed by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Some schools have moved away from the word "rush" entirely in favor of "recruitment" to emphasize the more formal, structured nature of the process. Both terms refer to the same fundamental activity.

Formal vs. Informal Recruitment

Not all recruitment processes look the same. Understanding the difference between formal and informal recruitment is one of the first things you should know.

Formal Recruitment

Formal recruitment is a structured, governed process. For NPC sororities, it follows a specific schedule dictated by the campus Panhellenic association, with defined rounds, caps on event attendance, and a quota system that determines how many new members each chapter may extend bids to. The schedule, rounds, and rules are standardized across all participating chapters at a given school.

Formal sorority recruitment typically happens before or during the first week of fall classes. It moves quickly and can be emotionally intense. Participants visit multiple chapters per day, with the list of chapters narrowing over the course of several days until preference night and, finally, bid day.

Some fraternities — particularly those in structured IFC systems — also conduct formal recruitment with set event schedules, though the process is generally less regimented than sorority recruitment.

Informal Recruitment (Continuous Open Bidding / COB)

Informal recruitment, often called Continuous Open Bidding (COB) or simply COB, happens outside of the formal recruitment period. Chapters may conduct COB throughout the academic year to fill spots that remain after formal recruitment, or in spring when formal fall recruitment did not fill their quota. Fraternities frequently use informal recruitment throughout the year. The process is more relaxed — chapters may invite prospective members to social events, casual meetups, or chapter activities before extending a bid.

When Does Rush Happen?

Timing varies by school and by type of organization, but here are the general patterns:

• NPC sorority formal recruitment: Typically one to two weeks before or at the very start of the fall semester. Some large schools hold recruitment the week before classes begin; others hold it during the first week of class. Check with your campus Panhellenic for exact dates.
• IFC fraternity rush: Usually a week or two into the fall semester, after sorority recruitment has concluded at most schools. Many IFC chapters also hold spring rush.
• NPHC organizations: NPHC chapters (the Divine Nine historically Black fraternities and sororities) have an intake process that is distinct from rush. Intake periods vary widely by chapter and national organization. Contact specific chapters or your campus NPHC for information.
• MGC organizations: Multicultural Greek Council chapters also have varying intake timelines — some hold formal events in fall and spring, others operate year-round. Check with your campus MGC.

What to Expect During Sorority Recruitment

Formal sorority recruitment typically follows a structure like this, though the exact number of rounds varies by school:

Registration

Before recruitment begins, you register with your campus Panhellenic association. This usually involves completing an online form, paying a small registration fee (which covers administrative costs, not chapter dues), and signing up for a recruitment group. You will be assigned a Rho Gamma (or Recruitment Counselor) — a sorority woman who has temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter to guide you through the process impartially.

Round 1: Open Houses / House Tours

On the first day or days, you visit all participating chapters. Events are brief — typically 20 to 45 minutes — and give you a chance to see the chapter house and have initial conversations with members. The format is casual, and chapters are presenting their organizations broadly. Your goal here is to stay open-minded and make initial impressions.

Philanthropy Rounds

The list of chapters you visit narrows based on mutual selection (both you and the chapter indicate interest). In philanthropy rounds, chapters showcase their community service work and values. Events may include presentations, videos, and conversations with members about what the chapter cares about. The atmosphere is warmer and more personal than open houses.

Sisterhood Rounds

The list narrows further. Sisterhood rounds focus on connecting you with individual members and getting a deeper sense of the chapter's culture and community. Conversations become more substantive, and you begin to get a real feel for whether you can see yourself in this organization.

Preference Night (Pref Night)

You attend preference events at your final one, two, or three remaining chapters. Preference night is typically more formal and emotional — chapters share what membership means to them, and you are choosing where to rank your preferences. This is often the most intense night of recruitment. Wear formal attire; the atmosphere is different from earlier rounds.

Bid Day

After you submit your preference card and chapters submit their lists, a matching algorithm is run. On bid day, you receive your bid — an invitation to join a specific chapter. Bid day is typically a celebration: chapters reveal themselves to their new members in ways that vary from school to school, ranging from a simple gathering to an elaborate event with decorations, matching outfits, and lots of photographs.

What to Expect During Fraternity Rush

Fraternity rush is generally more informal and self-governed than sorority recruitment. Chapters host events — which may include cookouts, sports nights, watch parties, community service activities, or casual hangouts — over a period of one to two weeks. You attend events at chapters that interest you, have conversations with members, and eventually receive (or don't receive) a bid to join. There is no Panhellenic schedule to follow; you are largely responsible for managing your own calendar and reaching out to chapters.

The Role of Panhellenic and IFC

The Panhellenic Association (or College Panhellenic Council) governs NPC sorority recruitment at the campus level. It sets the rules for formal recruitment, manages the Rho Gamma system, oversees the bid matching process, and serves as the organizational body that prospective sorority members first engage with when registering for recruitment.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) governs most fraternities at a campus. It sets conduct standards, coordinates rush activity, and represents fraternity chapters in dealings with the university. Some fraternities operate outside IFC (particularly culturally-based and NPHC chapters), but IFC governs the majority of historically non-culturally-specific fraternities.

Tips for Going In with an Open Mind

The most important thing you can bring to rush or recruitment is an open mind. Many students go in with a mental list of their "top" chapters based on reputation, what older siblings told them, or social media presence, and miss out on a better fit because they were anchored to that list too early.

• Visit chapters you're not sure about. A chapter you had no prior opinion of may surprise you.
• Pay attention to how you feel, not just what you think. Do you feel comfortable? Can you be yourself in conversations with members?
• Remember it's mutual. You are also evaluating the chapters, not just auditioning. If a chapter doesn't feel right, it's okay to indicate less interest.
• Talk to your Rho Gamma. If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or uncertain, your recruitment counselor is there to help — and they have been through this process themselves.
• Read reviews. GreekNerds lets you read student-submitted reviews of specific chapters at your school before you go through rush. Use that information as one input among many.

What If I Don't Get a Bid?

Not receiving a bid from formal recruitment happens, and it is not the end of the road. Continuous Open Bidding (COB) and informal recruitment happen throughout the year. Many students find their best fit through COB rather than formal recruitment. Talk to your Panhellenic or IFC representative, or reach out directly to chapters that interested you during formal recruitment to ask about COB opportunities.