Frequently Asked Questions
- If you are interested in participating in Panhellenic Primary (Formal) Recruitment in August, registration OPENS May 1st at 9:00AM and CLOSES August 1st at 5PM. No registrations will be processed or allowed after that date.
- All registration fees/costs are non-refundable.
- Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- The SMU Panhellenic Council does not require nor manage recommendations. Any recommendations must be submitted directly to the chapters. Please visit the chapter websites for specific information and requirements for each organization. Any recommendations sent to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will be discarded.
- Traditionally, between 550-600 women will start the primary recruitment process. Historically, about 10 women unfortunately do not receive invitations back to future events during the week. While the recruitment process is not perfect, the numbers indicate that overall, if a woman has an open mind and wants to join an organization - one will be available for her. Too often, though, women go through the process with a narrower opinion. Unfortunately, this attitude poses a real danger for disappointment and should be considered before a woman chooses to participate in the process.
- Legacies (those with relatives who are/were members) are not guaranteed bids. Every year, women who are legacies to chapters are disappointed because they are not given an invitation to membership. Additionally, each chapter has differing policies on how legacies are managed, invited and bid. This can be mitigated by participating with an open mind and realizing that each chapter offers something great in their own unique way.
- While we cannot guarantee a bid, historically women who maximize their options in the formal recruitment process (meaning they attend all recruitment events to which they are invited and rank all available options on preference night) have been matched successfully and received a bid.
- Please check for full recruitment schedule details.