Hello! We’re beyond excited to kick off our blog! I’m Mollie Malone, a junior at The University of Alabama, and this is my co-blogger Abigail Thurber. We’re both in sororities here, so we can relate to many of the experiences you may have. We can’t wait to chat with you!
We’ll cover everything from gamedays and bar scenes to Bama Rush and managing finances in college. We hope you’ll engage with us on our socials and our stream! Now, let’s dive into our first topic!
Greek life at the University of Alabama plays a huge role in shaping student life. The large population, intense rush process, and deep historical roots make Alabama’s sorority recruitment a national powerhouse in Greek life.
A Brief History of Rush at Alabama
Greek life at Alabama dates back to the 1800s, with the first sororities and fraternities founded to foster academic, social, and professional growth among students. Over time, rush has evolved, and the early 2000s marked significant changes as social media became increasingly relevant.
Today’s recruitment process is highly competitive, structured, and often chaotic. Sororities evaluate thousands of potential new members (PNMs) through a mutual selection process, considering factors like GPA, social media presence, values, conversations, involvement, and more.
When Did Bama Rush First Blow Up?
In 2021, “Bama Rush” blew up on TikTok, with videos of PNMs showcasing their outfits, bid day moments, and the overall rush process. Millions of views made Bama Rush a social media phenomenon, highlighting the glamorous wardrobes, detailed daily preparations, and intense competition among sororities. The southern charm and exclusivity of top-tier sororities drew national attention. On top of that, “work week,” which lasts five days, gives active members time to prepare for the arrival of PNMs, making the entire process even longer.
The 9-Day Hell Rush Schedule
Sorority recruitment at Alabama is often described as grueling, chaotic, and exhausing. The rush process spans 9 days in which PNMs undergo the intense process of striving to get their “top” or favorite house.
Here’s a breakdown:
Day 1: Open House – PNMs get a tour of sorority row and watch videos where they get a brief overview of the values and types of members in each house. Furthermore, they get the philanthropy round t-shirts to begin the next day.
Day 2-4: Philanthropy Round – PNMs have an opportunity to attend 12 houses, given that they get a full schedule back. Here, they learn about each sorority’s philanthropies and events.
Day 5-7: Sisterhood Round – This round focuses on more personal conversations that go beyond the surface level. Conversations are normally about values, friendships, and what sisterhood means to them.
Day 8: Preference Round – By this point, PNMs are down to their top two choices. The sororities now have a more formal atmosphere and have ceremonies to show what makes each house unique. This is truly a special time for the active members and the PNMs.
Day 9: Bid Day – Finally, rush is over and the PNMs get their bids. This is often a very exciting time because they get their choice of house and are relieved they found their home. They will open the bids in Bryant-Denny Stadium and run to their sorority house to meet their big.
How Many Girls Rush vs. Get In?
Over 2,500 women typically register for rush each year, but not everyone is guaranteed a bid. Around 85-90% of PNMs receive bids, with some choosing to drop out for various reasons.
For those who don’t receive their top choice or a bid at all, the disappointment can be intense, sometimes prompting them to transfer to another university. For many students, Greek life is central to their college experience, and the pressures of rush can weigh heavily on them.
So What Happens To The Other 15 Percent?
At the University of Alabama, sorority recruitment is a highly competitive and intense process. Many girls participate with the hope of joining their top-choice sorority, often influenced by reputation, social status, or personal connections. Many PNMs refer to Greek rank during this process. However, not everyone gets into their preferred sorority, which can lead to disappointment and frustration. For some, this outcome is significant enough to consider dropping out of the rush process altogether. Many of these girls then hope to get a snap bid. This is when they have withdrawn from rush typically because a house “dropped” them and on bid day or the night before, will receive a call telling them they have a bid. This happens when sororities are below the total chapter membership limit and are able to offer bids to girls they previously dropped.
In terms of Bama Rush, COB stands for Continuous Open Bidding. It’s typically more relaxed and less structured compared to formal rush, and it provides an opportunity for girls who didn’t receive a bid during the formal process—or who may have decided not to participate in formal recruitment—to still join a sorority.
After not Receiving a Bid
In certain cases, if a girl doesn’t get a bid from her top sorority, she may choose to drop out of rush and leave the university. A common strategy is to transfer to a smaller school where sorority recruitment is less competitive. At these schools, it’s often easier to get into the sorority they originally wanted. Once they’ve successfully secured a spot, some will then transfer back to Alabama, continuing their college journey with the sorority affiliation they desired from the start.
This approach reflects the importance some students place on Greek life, particularly at a school like Alabama, where sororities play a major role in campus culture and social life. For these students, getting into their top-choice sorority can feel like a make-or-break factor in their college experience. While this method of leaving and transferring back is relatively rare, it highlights the lengths to which some are willing to go to secure their ideal spot in the Greek system.
Bid Day Rituals
Bid Day at the University of Alabama is one of the most highly anticipated events for Potential New Members (PNMs) after the intense sorority recruitment process. The day begins at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where all the PNMs gather to receive an envelope containing their bid, but they aren’t allowed to open it immediately. The energy is electric, filled with nerves, excitement, and anticipation. Once everyone has their envelope, there is a dramatic countdown, and in unison, all the PNMs tear open their bids. At this moment, the stadium is filled with a mix of emotions—many girls scream with joy and excitement when they see they’ve been offered a bid from their top-choice sorority, hugging their friends and jumping up and down in celebration. However, not all reactions are the same; some girls cry tears of disappointment or even anger if they didn’t receive a bid from their preferred sorority. The emotional intensity reflects how deeply personal and important this moment is for many participants.
Running Home
After the big reveal, the tradition of “running home” begins (if they weren’t sweating from the other 9 days in 100° heat are will now). PNMs, now new members, make their way from the stadium to their sorority houses, greeted by active members who wait eagerly with signs, cheers, and open arms to welcome their new sisters. The scene is often one of pure joy, with girls running as fast as they can, beaming with pride as they are embraced by their new sorority family. The excitement continues once they arrive at the house, where they are met with themed decorations, matching Bid Day T-shirts, and music blasting in the background. It’s a full-blown celebration, complete with group photos, hugs, and a sense of relief that the long recruitment process is finally over.
Inside the house, the festivities continue. Many new members will meet their “Bid day Big,” or future mentor within the sorority, though not all Big/Little pairings are revealed on this day. This marks the beginning of close relationships within the sorority, as new members are welcomed into the sisterhood. There is often food, music, and opportunities for the new members to bond with their new sisters.
Bid Day is also a social media event, with countless photos and videos shared online, capturing the excitement of the day. Sororities post pictures of their new members to celebrate the additions to their chapter, while the new members themselves proudly share their acceptance into the Greek system. For many, Bid Day is a culmination of years of preparation and anticipation, making it an unforgettable experience that defines the start of their journey within Greek life at Alabama.
Bid Day Retreats
After the excitement of Bid Day at the University of Alabama, many sororities hold a Bid Day retreat, which serves as an opportunity for new members to bond with one another and their active sisters. These retreats are typically planned to take place either on the same day as Bid Day or over the following weekend. The retreat is a way for the new members to unwind after the intense recruitment process and begin building relationships within their sorority in a more relaxed setting.
Bid Day retreats can take many forms depending on the sorority. Some might involve a short trip to a nearby location, like the lake, varying activities, the Yacht Club, and more where the new members can spend time getting to know one another away from campus. Others might keep it local with fun, team-building activities, such as movie nights, bonfires, or themed parties. Regardless of the format, the retreat is designed to foster sisterhood and help the new members feel welcome and integrated into their sorority.
During the Retreat
During the retreat, sororities often introduce new members to the values and traditions of their chapter in a more informal way. It’s also common for the new members to learn more about what to expect in the coming weeks, including chapter events, meetings, and the Big/Little reveal. These retreats are all about creating a supportive, fun atmosphere where the new members can form bonds with their sorority sisters and begin to feel truly at home in their new sorority family.
The retreat is not only a chance to relax after the rush process, but also a time to solidify friendships and make lasting memories. Many new members leave the retreat feeling more connected to their sorority and excited about the upcoming semester, making it an essential part of their introduction to Greek life at Alabama.”
Conclusion
Thank you so much for reading! We hope this post gave you a deeper understanding of the significance of Greek life at the University of Alabama, especially the intensity of the Bama Rush experience. From the history of recruitment to the emotional highs and lows of Bid Day, sorority life at Alabama plays a huge role in shaping the college experience for many students.
Whether it’s the excitement of receiving a bid, the bonding that happens during Bid Day retreats, or the unique traditions that make Alabama’s Greek system stand out, it’s clear how influential this process is for those involved. We appreciate you taking the time to explore this topic with us, and we look forward to sharing more insights in future posts!
