Informal Recruitment iNFORMATION

WHAT IS INFORMAL rECRUITMENT?

Informal Recruitment is the process women may go through to join a sorority outside of Primary (Formal) Recruitment. This process can be a great way to join a sorority. Each semester, up to 4 sororities are eligible to extend membership to women who are going through Informal Recruitment. The process occurs in Fall and Spring, however the chapters who are eligible may change every semester.

Informal Recruitment for Spring of 2026 has concluded. The next opportunity for Informal Recruitment will take place directly following Formal Recruitment in the fall, and a more proper Informal Recruitment will begin in the Spring of 2027 for eligible chapters.

informal recruitment requirements

The requirements a woman must meet are the same for Primary Recruitment, however their grade level is also considered. The full requirements are listed below.

  • Students must be enrolled in at least 12 hours during the semester in which they plan to join, and have completed new student orientation requirements, if applicable.

  • Achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA, calculated on a 4.0 GPA scale. This can be demonstrated through high school transcripts for incoming first-year students, or through my.SMU or transfer records for upper-class students.

  • Not be placed on conduct probation or higher with the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards during the semester in which a student plans to join prior to initiation.  

  • Please note that most individual organizations have policies requiring a higher GPA or hour completion for membership. We highly recommend that students review these requirements as they explore the opportunities to join.     

Fall 2026 Informal recruitment

Informal Recruitment also known as COB, will occur starting on Bid Day and 1-4 chapters may be eligible following recruitment. Chapters eligible will not be known until August 22nd, and an interest form will be shared via Panhellenic’s Instagram. Chapters who are eligible may decline to participate or may not advertise that they are recruiting.