Visit the national website of the sorority you wish to join. Research its history, current initiatives, leadership and national events. For example, it is imperative that a young lady interested in becoming an AKA know that Alpha Kappa Alpha was the first black sorority established in the United States. For a young lady interested in becoming a Delta, she should know that the sorority was founded by disenchanted AKAs on the campus of Howard University.
Search for the active chapter with jurisdiction in your area. For an undergraduate student, the chapter might be on your college campus; however, some cities have city-wide chapters comprised of women from several campuses. For women who are in graduate school or who have already graduated from college, a city-wide grad chapter is the appropriate jurisdiction.
Visit the website of the chapter with jurisdiction in your area, if available. Note its calendar of events and make plans to attend as many functions as possible. If an undergraduate chapter has no website, your options are limited. You will have to become vigilant about looking for sorority events that are posted around campus. If you are friends with an active member, ask her for updates on events and opportunities to meet other members. If a graduate chapter has no website, use the contact information to inquire about upcoming events you can attend. Don't wait until the year you intend to pledge to do so; being proactive will impress the members of the organization.
Attend as many events as possible. Focus on supporting and participating in sorority initiatives or community service projects and meeting members. Once you become comfortable with a member or two, express an interest in joining. Do not do this lightly, as members see this as a first step towards membership. Be prepared to discuss your reasons for joining, your knowledge of sorority history and more. If you are a legacy candidate, or a woman whose mother or grandmother are members of the sorority, mention this now and later when applying.
Attend membership intake events. On some campuses, this might involve a bit of sleuthing, as flyers may be posted for an extremely short period of time, such as for an hour or two. Members of these sororities tend to believe that women with a serious interest will make every effort to find out about important events. For undergraduates, there might be one or two informational sessions prior to a formal rush. It is important that you attend these. For graduate membership, intake is provided by invitation only. A sorority sister must petition on your behalf. Ask your newfound friend to do this for you.
Complete an application for membership and provide the required supporting materials. This may include transcripts, letters of recommendation and proof of community service. Submit these materials exactly as directed and in as neat a manner as possible. They will be scrutinized.
Prepare for an interview. You might be asked about your knowledge of the sorority's history, especially the founders, your acquaintance with sorority initiatives, your personal reasons for joining the organization and your possible contributions. It is ideal to highlight your membership in other organizations, any official positions you hold, community service you've completed or scholastic achievement. Successful candidates will be contacted directly by the sorority for further instruction.