12 Bama Rush Rules You Didn't Know Sorority Recruits Must Follow

Here are the most surprising rules sorority recruits at The University of Alabama must follow during rush week

'Tis the season for Bama Rush!

Whether you're looking to join a sorority at The University of Alabama or obsessing over the viral recruitment videos on TikTok, questions have been sparked around the little-known rules students must follow in an attempt to get accepted to the sorority of their choice.

While the primary recruitment process kicked off its week of festivities on Aug. 10, Alabama's Greek life tradition — famously nicknamed "Bama Rush" — has been of fascination for years. The term has garnered 92.6M posts on TikTok to date and even spawned an eponymous documentary that premiered on Max in 2023.

Those interested in watching potential new members (PNMs) navigate the intense rushing process in the hopes of pledging to the sorority of their choice also tune into #RushTok, a TikTok tag with nearly 120k posts of users detailing their experiences.

The outfits that the sorority hopefuls wear throughout the week, in particular, are among the most popular videos posted on social media. They are also the most shocking given the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars girls have admittedly spent on their rush wardrobes.

But are expensive price tags and designer brands actually mandatory to get a bid from a sorority at The University of Alabama? Although the students are sure to make it seem that way, the Alabama Panhellenic Association's 132-page 2024 Greek Chic Recruitment Guide says otherwise.

As tempting as it may be to dive into the "all-in-one guide to all things recruitment" for Greek Life in Tuscaloosa, we've pulled the most noteworthy rules mentioned as rush week is underway.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated "Bid Day" on Aug. 18, read on for the rules sorority hopefuls must follow at The University of Alabama during Bama Rush!

Related: Roll Tide! Meet the Ladies Taking Over Bama Rush 2024 on TikTok

You must 'self-identify' as a woman to rush

According to the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA), potential new members (PNMs) looking to join a sorority must be "a full-time student at UA who consistently lives and self-identifies as a woman." Men who want to participate in Greek Life at the school can rush IFC fraternities.

Potential New Members (PNM) must rush in the fall

The University of Alabama only holds primary sorority recruitment in the fall semester, prior to the start of school. Students interested in joining also get to move into their dorms earlier to take part in the rush process.

While many universities also have sorority recruitment in spring semesters, this is not the case for The University of Alabama. "If you are unable to participate in fall primary recruitment, but are interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB)," per the APA.

Convocation marked the start of recruitment rush week on Aug. 10, which also included an open house to familiarize the students with what to expect in the coming days. The rest of the schedule includes the Philanthropy Round on Aug. 11-13, Sisterhood Round on Aug. 14-16, Preference Round on Aug. 17 and lastly Bid Day on Aug. 18.

PNMs don't have to be freshmen to rush

A student doesn't have to be in their freshman year to pledge for a University of Alabama sorority. According to the APA, the school "utilizes a secondary quota that separates [upperclassmen] from incoming [freshmen]."

A dual quota system is used "specifically to place upperclassmen potential members," per the APA. Its purpose is to give upperclassmen and transfer students "a greater opportunity to pledge during Primary Recruitment."

A minimum GPA must be met to rush

A specific grade point average (GPA) isn't necessary to participate in primary recruitment at The University of Alabama, however, each sorority has its own standards they strive to maintain as a chapter.

"Therefore each must consider a woman’s ability to adhere to the chapter's scholastic standards," the APA states, noting this process is heavily considered when selecting students to join their sorority given the large amount of hopefuls who rush.

"It is highly recommended that women participating in Primary Recruitment or COB have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time they are seeking membership," the APA states.

Related: What Is The Machine in 'Bama Rush'? Everything to Know About the Controversial Secret Society

Previous participation in another NPC sorority is prohibited

Loyalty is a must when pledging for a sorority (It is a sisterhood, right?)! Therefore, students are only allowed to participate in fall primary recruitment at The University of Alabama if they "have not been initiated into an NPC sorority at UA or on another campus, per the APA.

A registration fee must be paid in advance

All students interested in joining a sorority at The University of Alabama must pay a registration fee to be eligible to rush. If you decide not to participate after submitting payment, unfortunately, refunds are prohibited.

"All registration fees are nonrefundable, no exceptions," per the APA. "This is clearly stated on the recruitment registration payment link, so before you register for recruitment, please take this into consideration."

The recruitment registration fee goes towards the cost of publications, transportation, facility usage, security and two recruitment t-shirts used during rush week. The fee for 2024 recruitment was $375.00 and was to be submitted between May 1 and July 17.

A recommendation letter isn't mandatory to rush

In addition to a registration fee, The University of Alabama requires several other boxes to be checked prior to beginning the recruitment process. Recommendation letters are one of them, though they aren't mandatory for every sorority.

These letters can be written by a teacher, guidance counselor or principal. According to the APA, recommendation letters "could be particularly beneficial for women unable to identify alumnae from each of the 17 Panhellenic chapters to write an official letter of recommendation."

Written permission from a parent or guardian is required in order to participate. Students must provide answers to a list of prompts as well, including "What are you hoping to gain by joining a Panhellenic sorority?" and "Describe what you look for in a group of friends."

There is a dress code for rush events

Throughout the eight days of rush week at The University of Alabama, sorority hopefuls must abide by a specific dress code that ranges from casual to formal attire.

Convocation and Open House take place the first day of rush week, so the dress code is "casual" as it's the same day as move-in. "Please come as you are. T-shirt and shorts are appropriate," the APA states.

Philanthropy Round signifies the beginning of invitation-only parties, which is when the fun begins! Throughout its two-day tenure, students are asked to wear the two philanthropy t-shirts they receive at Convocation. They can pair them with shorts or skorts and comfortable shoes.

Sisterhood Round is next, giving students the opportunity to attend a maximum of seven parties (each of which is 40 minutes long) to meet with and get to know the girls in each sorority. "A nicer dress and wedges or heels" is recommended, per the APA.

Preference Day follows and is considered the most formal round of recruitment. Should students receive an invite to one of the parties, it's a sign that a sorority "is very interested in you becoming a member," per the APA.

The attire is a bit more elevated and picky for this occasion, with the recommendation of "a nice dress and heels or nice wedges." Per the APA, students "will not want to wear a dress that is too short or tight" — rather, opt for something "you may wear to a graduation ceremony or a daytime wedding."

Lastly, students can choose comfortable clothes for Bid Day. "You will being sitting in Bryant Denny Stadium and running home in the heat so dress in something comfy and cool!" notes the APA.

PNMs can't contact active members after May 1

According to APA's Greek Chic Recruitment, "no contact, with regards to recruiting for a specific chapter, can occur between sorority members and potential new members after May 1." This includes letters, emails, phone calls, texts or comments on social media.

"Sororities cannot have gatherings for recruitment that include potential new members after May 1. It is okay to continue pre-existing relationships; however, we ask that you do not discuss the panhellenic recruitment process," the APA states.

Recruitment parties must be kept confidential

Bama Rush is a confidential process! Therefore, there are rules regarding what students can post online and say as they go through recruitment.

According to rule No. 7 on the Potential New Member Behavioral Contract, students "must agree to treat the chapter videos and recruitment parties as confidential." They aren't allowed to "share any video in its entirety, or recordings, clips, screenshots/and or quotes from a video or recruitment party."

Related: The True Story of 'Bama Rush': How TikTok Became Obsessed with Alabama Sorority Recruitment

Personal bags aren't allowed at recruitment parties

Certain items are prohibited in the sorority houses during Bama Rush, as stated in the Potential New Member Behavioral Contract. According to rule No. 8, students are "not allowed to bring any items, including including but not limited to bags or phones, into recruitment parties unless previously approved otherwise."

Alcohol consumption is prohibited during rush

The APA has strict guidelines around drinking alcohol during recruitment week and the days surrounding it, as stated in rule No. 11 of the Potential New Member Behavioral Contract.

"Consumption of alcohol and/or any illegal substance use during the week of primary recruitment, on Bid Day, and up to 24 hours after Bid Day events have ended, is strictly prohibited by APA and may result in APA disciplinary sanctions and/or University of Alabama disciplinary sanctions," the rule states.

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