Sorority Recruitment at Indiana University: What a Current Member Wants You to Know

IU sorority recruitment happens in January and runs through four rounds over about a week: open house, philanthropy, sisterhood, and preference, followed by bid day. We got the details by interviewing current students who just went through it.

One member we spoke with went through recruitment to find a group of girls she could truly bond with and be herself around.

How IU sorority recruitment works, round by round

Open house (2 days, virtual). Potential new members (PNMs) meet every chapter over Zoom. Afterward you rank chapters, marking your top 16 and bottom six.
Philanthropy round (2 days, in person). You visit chapters at their houses and learn about the cause each one supports. Then you rank again.
Sisterhood round (2 days, in person). More time at the houses and more conversations, followed by another ranking.
Preference round (1 day). You return to your top two houses, then rank them in order.
Bid day. You find out where you're headed.

The vibe? Fun and lighthearted in the conversations, though the strict schedule can feel overwhelming at times.

What she wishes she'd known before recruitment

Don't take it so seriously. You will find where you fit best, and the process can actually be fun. It doesn't have to be a grueling week you hate.

One packing tip: bring hand warmers. Recruitment is in January, and Bloomington gets cold.

How IU sorority houses differ

The biggest difference is philanthropy, since each house supports and raises money for its own cause. Houses also vary in where members come from: some have a lot of girls from Indiana, others are mostly out of state.

The personality of each house comes through quickly once you are in the conversations.

What it costs to live in a sorority at IU

Living in the house runs about $2,250 a semester at her chapter, which covers housing and a meal plan cooked by the house chef. Living costs and chapter dues are different, so budget for both and ask each house what is included. Recruitment details and chapter info are on the IU Panhellenic Association site.

Visiting Bloomington? See Greek row, Kirkwood, and campus with a current IU student on a private tour, and ask the questions about Greek life you'd want an honest answer to. Private Campus Tour: $150 for your whole group. Can't visit yet? Book a Video Call for $50. Request a tour

What a normal week looks like

It depends on the time of year. Fall is busy with philanthropy, especially October. Chapter meets every Sunday at 7 pm for about an hour.

You will get busy, but it is manageable.

Living in the house vs. the dorms

Members typically live in the house sophomore year, and sometimes junior year. At her chapter, rooms house four people, with beds in a separate room from the common area for privacy. The consensus in her house is that it's much better than the dorms.

The biggest myth about sorority life at IU

That all anyone does is party. The girls in her house have strong GPAs, and on any given night you'll find a group staying in to do homework and study.

For parents: what to know

Trust your daughter. In her experience, IU sororities are very safe, and the girls genuinely care about each other's wellbeing and look out for one another.

Where to go when you visit Bloomington

For a real feel of student life, two spots stand out:

Greek row, to see the houses and the community around them
Kirkwood Avenue, especially in the late afternoon when it's packed with students

Both are core stops on our IU tours, along with campus itself.

FAQ

When is sorority recruitment at Indiana University?

Panhellenic recruitment takes place in January, before spring classes get going.

How many rounds are in IU sorority recruitment?

Four: a two-day virtual open house, a two-day philanthropy round, a two-day sisterhood round, and a one-day preference round, followed by bid day.

How much does it cost to live in a sorority house at IU?

At one chapter, living in runs about $2,250 a semester, including housing and meals from the house chef. Dues are a separate cost, and each chapter is different.

When do IU sorority members live in the house?

Usually sophomore year, and sometimes junior year.

What should I bring to IU sorority recruitment?

Hand warmers. It is in January and it gets cold walking between houses.

See IU with a current student

Recruitment is easier when you already know the campus and the town. Tour College Towns offers private, student-led walking tours that go beyond campus into Bloomington, covering the other 75%: Greek row, Kirkwood, and the places students actually spend their time. You decide what you want to see.

Private Campus Tour: $150, flat price for your whole group
Video Call: $50, 30 minutes

Request your IU tour