Sorority Recruitment Explained. It’s NOT Like Frats

Every year there are still a bunch of girls that come into rush feeling well prepared. They have good grades, great involvement. They're well dressed, attractive, etc etc etc.

These girls can get very disappointed when they are released by highly desired chapters during rush. They may feel discouraged or wonder what they did wrong.

The answer, more than likely, is NOTHING.

Starting about 20 years ago most campuses (including Miami) adopted a system called Release Figure Methodology (RFM) to revamp the recruitment process. Prior to RFM, chapters on campus could invite as many PNMs as they wanted back to each round with no obligated releases. This led to many PNMs being dropped later in recruitment (or, worst case scenario, left with no bid) as the more popular chapters hosted huge parties each round, and the less popular chapters had fewer PNMs attending throughout.

RFM obligates chapters with the highest PNM interest (think Theta, APhi, AXO, DG) to release a high number of PNMs immediately. The most popular chapters on this campus will release (literally) 70% - 80% of PNMs immediately. This is NOT because they do not like the PNM who has come through, or that there was something "wrong" with her. By releasing a high number of PNMs (including girls who previously would have been asked back!) Miami Panhel can ensure a much greater level of parity throughout recruitment. This helps ALL chapters have a better chance to have awesome PNMs at each and every round - and it's beneficial to the PNMs too.

How so? Prior to RFM, a PNM could be invited back to a chapter throughout recruitment even if the house had no intention of providing her a bid. Under the system now, if a PNM gets invited back somewhere, she can feel relatively certain that house is ACTIVELY INTERESTED IN HER. This becomes more true as recruitment progresses and houses release more and more.

Additionally, PNMs who maximize their options by ranking 2 chapters for pref will get a bid at one of those two choices - this is a HUGE and important change that RFM ushered in.

From a personal standpoint: by the time sisterhood rolls around, the chapters had made their cuts, but you will have made some too! I was so sad at some of the houses that released me, but looking back, I can see that I got to go to chapters that I really loved - and felt really wanted at. In conclusion - keep an open mind and understand that most of this process is not personal. It's designed to make sure everyone ends up with a bid at a chapter where they are truly wanted!