Will I still get a bid if I don't know anyone in a Sorority?

Will I Still Get a Bid if I Don't Know Anyone in a Sorority?

Joining a sorority, for most women, is a step into a new adventure. It's thrilling but full of the unknown, too. Bids are how women are put into the different sororities, but they can be confusing at first. The key to remember, though, is that most of the women who are trying to join a sorority have no prior experience and likely don't know any of the sisters, either. It's all-new, and the bidding process is all about learning about the sororities, those involved, and which one might be the best match.

How Bids Work

A bid is a formal invitation for someone to join a sorority. Women interested in joining a sorority will go through a recruitment process which includes a preference voting day. This is where they'll create a list of their desired sororities based on which ones they liked the best. The sororities then vote on who to potentially add as new members. All of this is put into a list with those who have the best scores at the top. The sorority will then learn how many bids they can give out, go back to the list, and start determining who they will give a bid to on bid day.

What is Bid Day?

The bids are given out during Bid Day. On this day, most colleges will have the potential members and sororities meet in a neutral location, and the women hoping to get a bid will receive an envelope from the recruitment counselor. Typically, this is a big celebration, and there will be a countdown before it's time to open the bid. After seeing what bid they receive, the potential new members can head to the sorority, and a day of fun begins.

On bid day, potential sorority members will only receive one bid. It is not possible to receive more than one, so there's no need to worry about making a decision. The bid is supposed to be to the sorority that would be the best fit for them, and it will be one they've expressed interest in joining during the recruitment process. Not receiving a bid is also possible, but it is rare, and there are alternative ways to get into a sorority for those who don't receive one.

Does Prior Knowledge of Members Help?

There is an idea that getting a bid is like winning a popularity contest. It can be, but it's more about finding the right fit for sororities and new members. It's not about who's more popular; it's about who is going to fit in with the sorority life the best. For this reason, it's not really necessary to know any members before going through the recruitment process.

Most of the women who will go through the recruitment process do not already know members of the sorority. Instead, during the recruitment process, they'll meet and learn about the sisters and introduce themselves. Everyone starts off the same, so being yourself is the best way to end up getting a bid. Even without knowing anyone ahead of time, it's entirely possible to get a bid.

Does Being Designated a Legacy Matter?

A legacy is someone who has a relative that is or was initiated into a sorority that has a chapter on the campus. The relative doesn't necessarily need to go to or have gone to the same school, just been in the same sorority. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they're guaranteed to get a bid.

In many cases, legacies are going to have a better score than those who do not already have a connection with the sorority. However, just because they have a prior connection through a relative doesn't mean they are a good fit. It's possible they will not end up getting a bid for that sorority. So, they do have a small advantage, but there are no guarantees.

Does Everyone Get a Bid?

Most of the women who make it through the preference night voting will receive a bid. It's rare for someone to make it all the way through the recruitment process and end up not getting a bid. Knowing this can make it easier to relax and enjoy the recruitment time instead of stressing out about not knowing anyone yet.

In the event someone doesn't get a bid, it doesn't mean their chance at being in a sorority has ended. Sometimes, women will not accept their bid or will need to drop out for some other reason. Those who didn't get a bid initially may end up being eligible for receiving a bid after the formal recruitment process has ended, and there are sometimes special events for this. Those who don't get a bid will want to look out for these events to try to still get into a sorority.

After Getting a Bid

Once someone has received a bid, they are considered a new member. They are not an actual member of the sorority because they have not gone through the initiation process, but they do have a lot to do. The new member phase is a short period before the initiation where the newest members learn how the sorority works, what to expect from it, and more. They'll also have the chance to hang out with the current members and new members, learn more about what to expect during the initiation, and more.

Bid day is intended to be exciting and fun, but it can be a little intimidating, as well, as it's a completely new experience for most people. Those who don't already know anyone in a sorority may be worried they won't receive a bid, but it's not as big of a concern as many people think. In most cases, even if someone doesn't know anyone before the recruitment process, they'll still receive a bid and be able to join a sorority. Once this is all done, it's time to purchase sorority gear and show off the new sisterhood.

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