Rush week is a designated week on campus during which sororities demonstrate to potential sisters why they should consider rushing that sorority. At this point, which is before rushing actually begins, sororities are less concerned with whether they approve of a particularly potential sister and are more focused on putting a presentation to potential sisters. Increased interest in a sorority can raise its stature on campus and provide the sorority with a larger pool of candidates from which to choose.
Participating in rush week usually is not free. It's less expensive than actually joining a sorority, but the amount of money charged to a potential sister varies from campus to campus. The fee is known as either a recruitment fee, rush fee or rush cost and is non-refundable. The money is collected by the Greek advisory board that governs the campus' fraternity and sorority life and is used to fund the events that each sorority has throughout rush week.
During rush week, sororities have a variety of events on campus that offer potential sisters the opportunity to meet women in the sorority and to learn about the bonds and friendships in the sorority. Students are free to visit sororities that interest them the most. Events often include refreshments at the sorority house, skits depicting what it is like to be a member of the sorority and parties with fraternities. The events are designed to be fun so as to encourage women to want to rush the sorority, and potential sisters are encouraged to ask questions about sorority life.
At the end of rush week, potential sisters receive a bid from each sorority that is interested in having them join the sorority. A rushee can only accept one bid and once she has done so, she is committed to pledging that sorority. During the pledging process, the tables turn and the sorority becomes less concerned with impressing the pledge and more focused on deciding whether to accept the pledge into the sorority. The pledging process requires attendance and participation by the pledge in sorority events.