The first event of official recruiting for sororities typically comprises recruitment sessions in which prospective sorority members meet with representatives of sororities across the campus. Both the prospective members and the representatives use these recruitment sessions to get to know each other and pare down lists for the best fit on both sides. Recruitment as such happens over a few days within the first month of the first semester. Underclassmen as well as upperclassmen are eligible at most schools to go through these recruitment sessions, but registration is required. Registration usually involves a fee as well as other varying paperwork including academic performance and letters of recommendations.
Following these recruitment sessions, prospective members attend events hosted by the sororities, with the idea being to introduce the prospective members to more members of the sororities and give each side a better understanding of the personalities and characteristics of each other. The events are open to anybody and may be at a sorority house, campus meeting place, or somewhere else like a bowling alley. Prospective members as well as sorority members use these events to pare down their lists of whomever they are interested in. As the recruitment process advances, the events often include a more formal event or two.
As the events are ongoing, prospective sorority members go on tours of various houses. They especially tour the houses of the sororities that interest them the most, and, once more, meet and introduce themselves to members of the sororities so both sides can get to know each other.
The final part of the formal recruitment process at most universities is the “preferential round.” In it, prospective women have the most intimate and thorough experiences with their potential sororities of the entire recruitment chapter. Most schools have limits on how many “prefs” each woman may attend, so they pick the sororities they are most interested in. Sorority representatives use the preferential round to discuss, in detail, what life as a sister in their sorority involves, and what they expect from each other. Then, prospective members make their decision about which sorority they want to join.