12 Bama Rush Rules You Didn't Know Sorority Recruits Must Follow

Mar. 15, 2025

The University of Alabama Phi Mu’s newest sorority members, in front, gather at sorority house on Bid Day in 2014.Photo:Brynn Anderson/AP

Brynn Anderson/AP

‘Tis the season for Bama Rush!

Whether you’re looking to join a sorority at The University of Alabama or obsessing over theviral recruitment videoson TikTok, questions have been sparked around the little-known rules students must follow in an attempt to get accepted to the sorority of their choice.

While the primary recruitment process kicked off its week of festivities on Aug. 10, Alabama’s Greek life tradition — famously nicknamed “Bama Rush” — has been of fascination for years. The term has garnered92.6M posts on TikTokto date and even spawned aneponymous documentarythat premiered on Max in 2023.

Those interested in watchingpotential new members (PNMs)navigate the intense rushing process in the hopes of pledging to the sorority of their choice also tune into#RushTok, a TikTok tag with nearly 120k posts of users detailing their experiences.

The outfits that the sorority hopefuls wear throughout the week, in particular, are among the most popular videos posted on social media. They are also the most shocking given thehundreds, if not thousands of dollarsgirls have admittedly spent on their rush wardrobes.

But are expensive price tags and designer brands actually mandatory to get a bid from a sorority at The University of Alabama? Although the students are sure to make it seem that way, the Alabama Panhellenic Association’s132-page 2024 Greek Chic Recruitment Guidesays otherwise.

As tempting as it may be to dive into the “all-in-one guide to all things recruitment” for Greek Life in Tuscaloosa, we’ve pulled the most noteworthy rules mentioned as rush week is underway.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated “Bid Day” on Aug. 18, read on for the rules sorority hopefuls must follow at The University of Alabama during Bama Rush!

You must ‘self-identify’ as a woman to rush

Sorority members during the University of Alabama Bid Day in 2017.Brynn Anderson/AP

According to theAlabama Panhellenic Association(APA), potential new members (PNMs) looking to join a sorority must be “a full-time student at UA who consistently lives and self-identifies as a woman.” Men who want to participate in Greek Life at the school can rushIFC fraternities.

Potential New Members (PNM) must rush in the fall

The University of Alabama only holds primary sorority recruitment in the fall semester, prior to the start of school. Students interested in joining also get to move into their dorms earlier to take part in the rush process.

While many universities also have sorority recruitment in spring semesters, this is not the case for The University of Alabama. “If you are unable to participate in fall primary recruitment, but are interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB),” per theAPA.

Convocation marked the start of recruitment rush week on Aug. 10, which also included an open house to familiarize the students with what to expect in the coming days. Therest of the scheduleincludes the Philanthropy Round on Aug. 11-13, Sisterhood Round on Aug. 14-16, Preference Round on Aug. 17 and lastly Bid Day on Aug. 18.

PNMs don’t have to be freshmen to rush

A student doesn’t have to be in their freshman year to pledge for a University of Alabama sorority. According to theAPA, the school “utilizes a secondary quota that separates [upperclassmen] from incoming [freshmen].”

A dual quota system is used “specifically to place upperclassmen potential members,” per the APA. Its purpose is to give upperclassmen and transfer students “a greater opportunity to pledge during Primary Recruitment.”

A minimum GPA must be met to rush

Sorority girls run after in excitement after receiving their sorority’s bid for recruitment during the University of Alabama Bid Day, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

A specific grade point average (GPA) isn’t necessary to participate in primary recruitment at The University of Alabama, however, each sorority has its own standards they strive to maintain as a chapter.

“Therefore each must consider a woman’s ability to adhere to the chapter’s scholastic standards,” theAPAstates, noting this process is heavily considered when selecting students to join their sorority given the large amount of hopefuls who rush.

“It is highly recommended that women participating in Primary Recruitment or COB have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time they are seeking membership,” the APA states.

Previous participation in another NPC sorority is prohibited

Loyalty is a must when pledging for a sorority (It is a sisterhood, right?)! Therefore, students are only allowed to participate in fall primary recruitment at The University of Alabama if they “have not been initiated into an NPC sorority at UA or on another campus, per theAPA.

A registration fee must be paid in advance

All students interested in joining a sorority at The University of Alabama must pay a registration fee to be eligible to rush. If you decide not to participate after submitting payment, unfortunately, refunds are prohibited.

“All registration fees are nonrefundable, no exceptions,” per the APA. “This is clearly stated on the recruitment registration payment link, so before you register for recruitment, please take this into consideration.”

The recruitment registration fee goes towards the cost of publications, transportation, facility usage, security and two recruitment t-shirts used during rush week. Thefee for 2024 recruitmentwas $375.00 and was to be submitted between May 1 and July 17.

A recommendation letter isn’t mandatory to rush

Young women during sorority recruitment at The University of Alabama.HBO MAX

HBO MAX

In addition to a registration fee, The University of Alabama requires several other boxes to be checked prior to beginning the recruitment process. Recommendation letters are one of them, though they aren’t mandatory for every sorority.

There is a dress code for rush events

Convocation and Open House take place the first day of rush week, so the dress code is “casual” as it’s the same day as move-in. “Please come as you are. T-shirt and shorts are appropriate,” theAPAstates.

Philanthropy Round signifies the beginning of invitation-only parties, which is when the fun begins! Throughout its two-day tenure, students are asked to wear the two philanthropy t-shirts they receive at Convocation. They can pair them with shorts or skorts and comfortable shoes.

Sisterhood Round is next, giving students the opportunity to attend a maximum of seven parties (each of which is 40 minutes long) to meet with and get to know the girls in each sorority. “A nicer dress and wedges or heels” is recommended, per the APA.

Preference Day follows and is considered the most formal round of recruitment. Should students receive an invite to one of the parties, it’s a sign that a sorority “is very interested in you becoming a member,” per the APA.

The attire is a bit more elevated and picky for this occasion, with the recommendation of “a nice dress and heels or nice wedges.” Per the APA, students “will not want to wear a dress that is too short or tight” — rather, opt for something “you may wear to a graduation ceremony or a daytime wedding.”

Lastly, students can choose comfortable clothes for Bid Day. “You will being sitting in Bryant Denny Stadium and running home in the heat so dress in something comfy and cool!” notes the APA.

PNMs can’t contact active members after May 1

College students gather outside of the Alpha Chi Omega house during the University of Alabama sorority recruitment Bid Day, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017,.Brynn Anderson/AP

“Sororities cannot have gatherings for recruitment that include potential new members after May 1. It is okay to continue pre-existing relationships; however, we ask that you do not discuss the panhellenic recruitment process,” the APA states.

Recruitment parties must be kept confidential

Bama Rush is a confidential process! Therefore, there are rules regarding what students can post online and say as they go through recruitment.

According to rule No. 7 on thePotential New Member Behavioral Contract, students “must agree to treat the chapter videos and recruitment parties as confidential.” They aren’t allowed to “share any video in its entirety, or recordings, clips, screenshots/and or quotes from a video or recruitment party.”

Personal bags aren’t allowed at recruitment parties

Certain items are prohibited in the sorority houses during Bama Rush, as stated in thePotential New Member Behavioral Contract. According to rule No. 8, students are “not allowed to bring any items, including including but not limited to bags or phones, into recruitment parties unless previously approved otherwise.”

Alcohol consumption is prohibited during rush

The University of Alabama Phi Mu’s newest sorority members in 2014.AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

The APA has strict guidelines around drinking alcohol during recruitment week and the days surrounding it, as stated in rule No. 11 of thePotential New Member Behavioral Contract.

source: people.com