Rush 101 · Updated July 2026

How Greek Rush Works: A Complete Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Recruitment

Rush — formally called recruitment — is the process by which fraternities and sororities meet potential new members (PNMs) and extend bids to join. This guide walks through how it works at U.S. universities: the rounds, the timelines, the bid process, GPA rules, costs, and the etiquette nobody bothers to explain. It's written for PNMs, parents, and campus advisors.

1. What "rush" actually means

"Rush" is campus shorthand for formal recruitment — the structured window each semester when fraternities and sororities meet prospective members and decide who to invite. The word survives from the 19th century, when chapters literally "rushed" freshmen off the train platform. Today it's a scheduled, council-run process with published rounds, dress codes, and eligibility rules.

Two things are happening at once during rush: PNMs are evaluating chapters, and chapters are evaluating PNMs. After each round, both sides submit preferences. The council's software matches them — you can only be invited back by chapters that also want to invite you back. This is called mutual selection.

2. Who runs rush on campus

Most U.S. campuses have three or four Greek-life councils, each running its own recruitment:

• IFC — Interfraternity Council: the 60+ chapters of the North American Interfraternity Conference (traditionally men's).
• NPC — National Panhellenic Conference: the 26 international sororities (traditionally women's).
• NPHC — National Pan-Hellenic Council: the "Divine Nine" historically Black fraternities and sororities. NPHC organizations "intake" members rather than rush; timing and process differ chapter to chapter.
• MGC / NALFO / NAPA: multicultural, Latino, and Asian-interest Greek councils, each with their own intake process.

The scope of this guide is IFC and NPC recruitment, which is what most people mean when they say "rush week."

3. Rush week timeline

Fall rush usually happens the week before classes start or during the first two weeks of the semester. Spring rush is more common at large state schools. A typical NPC schedule looks like this:

4. Fraternity (IFC) rush, round by round

IFC rush is less scripted than NPC rush. PNMs typically wander between houses during "open" days, then get "cut" or "invited back" for smaller invite-only events as the week narrows. By day 4 or 5, most PNMs are focused on 1–3 chapters and attending chapter dinners or "smokers" (formal invite-only nights). Bids can be extended informally by an active member or handed out officially on Bid Day.

5. Sorority (NPC) rush, round by round

1. Open House — 15–25 minute rotations through every chapter. PNMs meet as many members as possible.
2. Philanthropy — chapters showcase the cause they raise money for. Length: 30–45 minutes per party.
3. Sisterhood — deeper conversations about chapter life, values, and traditions.
4. Preference (Pref) — the emotional final round. PNMs can attend at most two Pref parties, then submit their final Mutual Ranked Choice Binding (MRABA) preference.
5. Bid Day — PNMs open bid cards and run to their new chapter house.

6. Bid Day and mutual selection

After Pref, chapters submit a ranked bid list and PNMs submit a ranked preference list (the MRABA at NPC events). The council's matching software — usually CampusDirector or ICS for NPC — pairs each PNM with the highest chapter they preferred that also preferred them. Once you sign a MRABA, that binding preference is final for one year: if you're matched to your top choice and don't accept, you can't join a different NPC chapter through formal recruitment until the following year.

7. Costs, dues, and housing

New-member fees are the highest bill of your Greek life because they include one-time national initiation and badge costs. Rough national ranges from published chapter finance disclosures:

8. GPA, eligibility, and grade rules

NPC chapters generally require a 2.5–3.0 minimum GPA to receive a bid. IFC minimums are usually 2.5. Most campuses require you to have completed at least one full college semester before rushing, though large SEC and state schools run "freshman fall" rush that accepts incoming students on high-school GPA.

9. What to wear to each round

• Open House: casual — chapter t-shirt, jean shorts, sneakers or sandals.
• Philanthropy: chapter provides a t-shirt; pair with shorts, denim skirt, or leggings.
• Sisterhood: business casual — sundress or blouse and skirt.
• Preference: cocktail attire, closed-toe heels or dressy flats.
• IFC events: polo and shorts for BBQs; button-down and khakis for chapter dinners; suit for pref night at "top-tier" houses.

10. Glossary of rush terms

PNM

Potential New Member — a student going through recruitment.

Active

A current initiated member of a chapter.

Rho Gamma / Pi Chi

A disaffiliated recruitment counselor who guides PNMs.

Bid

A formal invitation to join a chapter.

MRABA

Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement — the NPC binding preference form.

Bid Day

The final day of recruitment when bids are extended and accepted.

Pref

Preference round — the final NPC round before Bid Day.

COB / COR

Continuous Open Bidding / Continuous Open Recruitment — informal recruitment after formal rush ends.

Snap bid

A bid extended by a chapter that didn't fill quota through formal recruitment.

Legacy

A PNM with a direct family tie to a chapter.

11. Frequently asked questions