Betting on Sororities?

For my friends who have college kids and/or those who were in Greek organizations, I have seen a lot of pictures of bid days, more than I’ve ever seen. So technically your daughter or son can be a member of a sorority or fraternity without even setting foot in a classroom? Fascinating!

There are many differences in the National Pan-Hellenic (otherwise known as the Divine Nine, or majority Black Greek fraternities and sororities) organizations and the “traditional, majority” Greek systems (Chi Omega, Pi Beta Phi, etc.)

It seems that the biggest difference is how you become a member. From my experience, after being on campus for a few years and getting up the nerve, I decided to attend an AKA interest session, back when they had those meetings. I sought only that organization because that was the direction I chose.

It looks like it’s different for the traditional Greek organizations. Apparently you petition to join, and based on who chooses you, that’s your sorority or fraternity? What happens if you’re not selected by your first choice? Are you happy to still be a part? From the pics I’ve seen it doesn’t matter.

Most, if not all Pan-Hellenic Greek organizations require that in order to join, you must have at least 12 semester hours at least a C average, so a student would have to be on campus for at least a semester before they can even be considered.

I would love some dialogue on this because in my mind, if I didn’t get selected by the group I really wanted, I would be disappointed. If I’m missing something, please enlighten me.