FAQs

When can I participate in sorority recruitment?

At Villanova, the primary recruitment period occurs in the spring, typically before classes begin. You can participate in our fully structured formal recruitment where you'll be able to meet every chapter, or you can choose to participate in Continuous Open Bidding in the fall. Not every chapter participates in Continuous Open Bidding, and at Villanova, the number of members added during Fall COB is very small compared to the number of members added during spring formal recruitment.

What's the difference between Snap Bidding and Continuous Open Bidding?

Snap bidding ends when bids are distributed on Bid Day. Continuous Open Bidding (COB) begins as soon as Bid Day begins. Further, Snap Bidding is ONLY allowed for those chapters that did NOT match to quota in the bid-matching process of formal recruitment. The Snap Bidding process takes place before bids are distributed on Bid Day and eligibility is limited to women who participated in at least the first round of recruitment. Snap Bids are coordinated and extended through the College Panhellenic, prior to the distribution of bids and the start of Bid Day activities.

Does participation in formal recruitment guarantee a bid for membership? 

No. Although majority of the women participating in Recruitment are invited to join a chapter at the end of recruitment, it is possible to go through recruitment and not pledge a sorority. Recruitment is a process of mutual selection, and as such, there are many different outcomes to this process. Some women participating in Recruitment voluntarily withdraw themselves from the process during the week, choosing not to continue participating in Recruitment, even though they have chapters available to attend. Each sorority at Villanova has their own membership criteria, oftentimes governed by their national organization, which they use to make their selections. 

What is the MRABA?

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), is a one-year binding agreement signed by a potential new member when ranking chapters after the final round of Preference events during the Formal Recruitment process. Prior to signing the MRABA, PNMs have several options to consider and reflect on with regard to membership options.

A PNM may choose not to complete the MRABA, thereby withdrawing from recruitment. If a PNM chooses this option, she is eligible to accept a bid for membership from any sororities participating in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). However not guaranteed, a small number of sororities may be able to recruit a limited number of women through the COB process after primary recruitment, if their chapter is below Panhellenic Total (I.e. Average Chapter Size).

A PNM may choose to list any sorority whose preference event she attended and from whom she is willing to accept an invitation to membership (a bid). PNMs should NOT rank any sorority on her final selection that she is absolutely not willing to accept a bid for membership. If a PNM matches with a sorority that she listed on her MRABA, regardless of whether she accepts the invitation for membership or not, she is bound to that sorority for one calendar year (January 2024 to January 2025), and is not eligible to participate in COB or accept a bid from another NPC chapter until the next primary recruitment period in January 2025.

A PNM may choose to list only one preference, but she must understand that by choosing to single intentional preference that she is not guaranteed to receive a bid for membership. If a PNM does not receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any of the sororities that she listed on her MRABA, then she is eligible to participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). 

What happens if I receive a bid and later decide to decline it?

If, at the conclusion of formal recruitment a PNM receives a bid to a chapter that she listed on her MRABA and later decides to decline it, she is still bound to the chapter for one year or until the next primary recruitment period, meaning she cannot participate in COB and/or accept a bid for membership to another NPC sorority.

What happens if I have a schedule conflict during recruitment?

Potential New Members who are unable to attend a specific event for an excused reason are still eligible to receive a bid as long as Panhellenic and/or OFSL Staff were informed of the situation prior and schedule accommodations were made. Excused absences will not release a PNM, but it is up to the individual sorority’s discretion as to whether or not they choose to release the excused absentees. “Excused absences” are at the discretion of the Panhellenic Executive Board, and typically include illness, academic, religious, and athletic commitments.

Do sororities haze?

Sororities respect and value the dignity of all women. Villanova, the National Panhellenic Conference, and the Villanova College Panhellenic all prohibit hazing and enforce the Anti-Hazing policies of the University. 

Does legacy status guarantee me a spot in a specific sorority?

No, being a legacy does not guarantee that a potential new member will be offered membership in her family member’s organization. Each sorority has their own policy governing legacy membership consideration. Also, legacy is not synonymous with obligation. You are encouraged to keep an open mind and consider what each chapter has to offer, regardless of which sorority you are a legacy. You should not feel any pressure from the chapter members to join a particular sorority based on your legacy status; if you do, please let your Rho Gamma know.

If I go through Recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority?

No, primary recruitment is an opportunity to explore Panhellenic Sorority Life at Villanova University. If you decide it is not right for you, you may withdraw from the process any time.

Do I have to attend every Recruitment event I am invited to?

Yes! Primary recruitment at Villanova is designed to allow you to learn as much as you can about the Panhellenic community. If you miss an event without first notifying your Rho Gamma of an approved schedule conflict, you will be released from the recruitment process.

What happens once I accept a bid?

When you accept a bid, you pledge yourself to a sorority's new member process. Once you sign the MRABA, you are ineligible to join an organization not listed on the MRABA until the next primary recruitment period at Villanova. Please know that once you are initiated into a sorority, you are unable to ever join another NPC sorority. Initiation occurs about 8 weeks after Bid Day.

When do I become an official member of my sorority?

You officially become a member of your sorority once you are initiated. The time between Bid Day and Initiation varies by chapter but typically ranges from six to eight weeks in length. Please know that once you are initiated into a sorority you are unable to ever join another NPC sorority, at Villanova or elsewhere.

What's the best advice you have for a Potential New Member?

Have an open mind. We speak with a lot of women each year who are disappointed because their expectations weren’t met at some point during the process. Even if your “favorite” sorority does not invite you back, stick with the process and go to all of the events that are available to you. We know amazing, remarkable women in every sorority on campus. Each group can offer students sisterhood, service, philanthropy and fellowship – and women can make lifelong friends no matter which organization they choose.

What is mutual selection?

Mutual selection is what we call the process that occurs at the end of each day of events. While women are choosing which organizations they are most interested in, chapters are doing the same. Think of it like a job interview – while you are trying to decide if this is a place you want to work, the company is also trying to decide if you are the best fit for employment. Unfortunately the company only has so much money to pay its employees, so there are a limited number of employees they are able to hire. This system is computerized and is dictated by the National Panhellenic Conference.  The bid matching process is largely dictated by the National Panhellenic Conference, which attempts to maintain an even distribution of membership on any given campus. This means that not everyone can join the same one or two chapters and not everyone will receive their #1 choice throughout the process. Again, we encourage women to have an open mind and consider membership in any of our groups.

What support is available to me as I go through recruitment?

Each woman’s Rho Gamma is there to help support her during the process. The Rho Gamma meets with her group daily to answer and questions or concerns and will also meet with you on a one-on-one basis. The Panhellenic Executive Board, made up of experienced, disaffiliated sorority women, is also available to help or listen.

Additionally, we have several support mechanisms on campus, including the Counseling Center, Office of Fraternity and Sorority life staff, and the Office of the Dean of Students. Your Rho Gamma will be happy to connect you with any additional resources you feel you want to reach out to.

What are Quota and Total?

Quota is the number of potential new members that each chapter can offer bids to during primary recruitment. Total is the allowable chapter size, including both new and initiated members. 

What are the benefits of sorority membership?

The most significant benefit is that a sorority can shape the lives of its members through its founding principles and beliefs. By encouraging positive interactions among members, sisters can influence one another to lead healthy, productive lives that empower one another as leaders and women. On a more basic level, benefits include making friends and having a group to which the women feel they belong; it gives fellowship and camaraderie.

Fraternities and sororities also teach valuable skills like networking and being comfortable meeting new people, which is a plus for most people’s professional lives. There are opportunities to take on leadership roles, which will teach students how to accomplish major tasks and mobilize a large group toward a common goal. Each sorority has a service or philanthropic component to, so the women are giving back to the local or national community as well.

Of course, students are at Villanova to get a degree first and foremost, and membership in a fraternity or sorority can enhance a student’s ability to succeed by providing mentorship from older members and members within a student’s major.