What is a sorority?

A sorority is an all women organization that participates in a number of social, philanthropic and academic activities. UC San Diego hosts twelve Panhellenic sororities and five other Multicultural sororities on campus that make up the Greek community amongst Interfraternity and Multicultural fraternities.  Sororities offer opportunities to get involved on campus by interacting with other sororities, fraternities, sports teams and other clubs on campus.

What is formal recruitment? Where can i register?

Recruitment is a six-day process where girls get to know each of the twelve Panhellenic Chapters on our campus. Potential New Members, also known as PNMs, will have the opportunity to visit each chapter and learn more about them. During the visits, you will meet active members of each chapter who will provide more information about their chapter with you and you both have the opportunity to know one another on an individual basis. Through this process, Potential New Members learn the ideals of each sorority including their philanthropy, sisterhood and social events.

Recruitment is based on a mutual selection process where you are able to rank your top chapters, while the chapters also have a chance to rank you as an individual. At the end of the fifth day, on the sixth day is when a Potential New Member receives her bid to whichever chapter she was invited into.

Registration happens on the Panhellenic website beginning around June.

WHAT EVENTS OCCUR DURING FORMAL RECRUITMENT?

On the first day of recruitment you will be placed in a group of about 10 girls and assigned a non-affiliated member of Greek life, called a Recruitment Guide or "Rho Gamma."  Your Rho Gamma will help you through each day of recruitment and answer all your questions about Greek Life or recruitment that you may have and guide you to your chosen house. Your group will attend the following events during recruitment:

• Day One: Values
• Day Two: Values
• Day Three: Philanthropy Day
• Day Four: Sisterhood Day
• Day Five: Preference "Pref" Night
• Day Six: Bid Day

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More specifics of what to expect during these six days can be found on the Panhellenic Recruitment page.

WHAT IS INFORMAL RECRUITMENT? 

Informal Recruitment also known as Continuous Open Bidding occurs when the active house decides to recruit members in the Winter or Spring time. The chapter usually decides this after the Fall quarter. Events that occur during Informal Recruitment are much more relaxed and casual versus Fall Formal Recruitment. Typical events that occur are info sessions to inform Potential New Members about our values, sisterhood, and philanthropy. There will also be a day dedicated formeeting the sisters.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SORORITY?

Many girls ask themselves a number of questions when deciding which sorority truly fits them. Some questions to consider when in this position:

• What values do I admire most?
• ​What girls could I call at any time of the day?
• Which chapter do I see myself spending my college career in?
• Which chapter has similar values to my own?
• What girls seemed the most genuine?
• What letters would I be proud to wear on a daily basis
• Which chapter fits my budget the best?
  

​The best advice we can give you when meeting actives from each chapter is to be yourself! This is the guaranteed way for you to land the best chapter for you that will provide you with the best opportunities and even better friends and memories.

What is a "New member class"?

The new member class will include all of the women who receive their bid from Alpha Chi Omega the quarter that they went through recruitment. You will be taught the values of Alpha Chi Omega alongside your new group of sisters. After the new member period, your new member class will be initiated together to become active members of our chapter. There are tons of new member events that provide plenty of time to bond with your new sisters and make memories that will last a lifetime. This group will go through the education program together in order to help new members make a smooth transition to college life while learning the history of Alpha Chi Omega nationally, as well as locally about the Iota Nu chapter at UC San Diego.

Who will lead me through my new member process before initiation?

The Vice President of New Member Education will be your “Pledge Mom,” which is an active member who will teach you about Alpha Chi Omega. She will prepare you for initiation and is incharge of your new member retreat. The VP of New Member Ed will always be available for any questions or concerns you may have throughout your new member period and beyond. The new member process serves for new members to get situated with the chapter before committing to the sisterhood. She also assigns new members with a “Lyre Buddy” each week to help welcome them to the sisterhood. Lyre buddies are older Alpha Chi Omegas who will be looking to take a new member as their Little Sister in the chapter. This allows sisters an opportunity to get to know the new members and the new members an opportunity to get to know their new sisters.

What is initiation?

Initiation is a special ceremony to welcome our new members into the lifelong sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega. Each of UCSD's 12 sororities will host their own individual initiation ceremony. Initiation is a special tradition that every sorority woman has had the privilege of participating in and will cherish for a lifetime. To learn more about our ritual visit alphachiomega.org

Does Alpha Chi OMega haze?

Absolutely not. There is no hazing of any kind and in fact, your new member period will be filled with fun sisterhood events to help you get to know your new member class and the rest of the chapter. You will also most likely be showered with presents during the process of being paired with a big sister.

What can i gain from joining a sorority?

Sorority life gives members the opportunity to partake in leadership positions, intramural sport teams, and social activities (ie. dinners, dances and parents weekends). A sorority provides opportunities to make lifelong friendships through an unbreakable bond.  You will have many memorable experiences you will cherish for life. In addition, sorority provides networking opportunities in the professional world with resume workshops and conventions that Alpha Chis can attend

What are Alpha Chi Omega's core values?

Alpha Chi Omega was founded as a musical fraternity and prides itself on 5 core values. The ladies of Alpha Chi Omega exemplify Academic Interest, Character, Financial Responsibility, Leadership Ability, and Personal Development. Alpha Chi Omega believes in the importance of intellectual development and encourages scholarship and intellectual achievement. Alpha Chi Omega expects members to accept and reflect moral integrity and dignity, social awareness, and fraternity loyalty. Alpha Chi Omega expects members to be responsible for the prompt payment of all dues and fees and other financial commitments. Alpha Chi Omega believes that character, personality, and leadership are developed through participation in campus activities and encourages each collegian to be interested in her community. Alpha Chi Omega believes in the development of members in their cultural appreciation, the social awareness, and personal presentation. To learn more about our organization, visit alphachiomega.org

Is there a minimum G.p.a. to join Alpha Chi Omega?

Panhellenic Association recommends Potential New Members to have a 2.7 G.P.A. to go through Formal Recruitment.
Alpha Chi Omegas must maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 2.6 every quarter and 2.6 cumulative G.P.A. throughout her membership.