pro tip: cob should not be a back-up plan

With variable quota, I've heard that some PNMs think that COB is a viable option if they suicide (and are released), or if they choose to drop out if they are cut by their favorite chapter. If you choose to suicide, are released and then hope to do COB... the chapter you suicide will likely not be participating in COB. If have that many people putting them as #1 during formal recruitment, good chance they don't participate. In the unlikely event they do participate, they are not required for any reason to invite you, nor do are they bound under any Panhellenic agreements to give bids during COB the way they are in formal recruitment. In many ways, chapters can be even more picky during COB, including newly established chapters. COB allows chapters the luxury of taking their time to know a lot more about you too before making a decision.

If you want to be in a sorority, suiciding and then COB'ing as a backup plan is probably not going to go in your favor. Sororities are quick to recognize sophomores who go through the process again, and it will be even harder for them to get bids unless all their besties are in that chapter, and even then the upperclassmen could out vote them. If you are ok with the chance that you could lose all opportunities to be in a sorority, then suicide or drop out, but consider yourself warned.