A Quick Recap
The recruitment process at the University of Alabama, known as Bama Rush, has become a viral sensation since blowing up on TikTok in 2021. This highly competitive and structured event sees thousands of potential new members (PNMs) evaluated on factors like GPA, social media presence, and involvement, making it both thrilling and chaotic. The event’s popularity showcases the glamorous wardrobes, meticulous daily preparations, and intense competition among sororities, with over 2,500 women participating each year. The southern charm and exclusivity of top-tier sororities have captured national attention. While around 85-90% of PNMs receive bids, the process is not without its challenges. Those who don’t receive their top choice, or a bid at all, often face intense disappointment, with some even choosing to transfer universities. For many students, Greek life is central to their college experience, making the pressures of rush especially significant.
Introduction
Our blog, created by Mollie and Abigail, is a space to share our personal experiences with Bama Rush—from what we knew before coming to campus and how we prepared, to the ups and downs of the process itself and where we ended up. We’ll take you through every step, from the nerve-wracking first rounds to the excitement of Bid Day and our experiences at the Bid Day retreats. We’ll also share our observations on the recruitment culture at Alabama, the emotions and surprises along the way, and the lessons we’ve learned. Whether you’re preparing for your own rush journey or just curious about the process, our stories will offer a candid look at what it’s really like to go through one of the most talked-about recruitment processes in the country. Primary recruitment is an intense process, but everyone has different experiences. We are going to take a look into both mine and Abigail’s bama rush experiences! We hope you enjoy!
Preparation
Mollie’s Prep
As a girl from the north, Ohio specifically, I had absolutely no idea what primary recruitment at The University of Alabama would be like. My father was in a fraternity at Ohio State University and my mom was in a sorority at the University of Georgia. People say that I was born into this lifestyle! Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the long journey of recruitment and the amazing 4 years ahead of me. Going into rush, I knew I had to prepare recruitment letters, conversation prep, outfit coordination, and social media planning. I felt overwhelmed as a high school student with all of the things I had to do! Although this was a stressful time in my life, I also looked forward to the end goal of rush; finding my forever home and best friends. I am happy to say as a Junior in college that recruitment was a success!
Abigail’s Prep
Being from the south, I grew up surrounded with Greek life. I used to be surrounded with girls in my high school who would drool over the idea of being accepted into a sorority. It was seen as not only an exciting experience to be a part of a group but also as an invitation that opened the doors to every stereotypical college dream. The parties, boys, events, sisterhood, you name it. Personally, it never interested me. I have three older siblings who all rushed at varying schools and went Phi Gamma Delta, Delta Delta Delta, and Alpha Gamma Delta. I knew plenty about rush from them as well as those around me. Still, it was never something I saw myself doing as I felt being in a sorority was not my vibe. Although, when I finally decided to attend the University of Alabama, I knew I had to rush. Once the process starts, rush is all your eat sleep and breathe. I worked hard on my resume, curating outfits, researching the sororities, and lots more. Inevitably, when summer came to an end, it was off to the races.
Rush Schedules
Mollie’s Experience
Headed into the first day of rush, I was a bundle of nerves and excitement. I anxiously waited to wake up at 5 AM, get ready in full hair and make-up, and head to the row. First, we met our rho chi groups. Rho Chi’s are sorority actives who have disaffiliated with their sorority to help PNM’s through recruitment. My rho chi was amazing! She gave such great unbiased advice. We met and I met a few other girls in my rho chi group as well. I am still friends with many of them to this day. We toured the row and location of each house. I remember it being so hot! Many girls passed out or became sick due to the heat. We made our way to Coleman Coliseum to watch each sorority’s recruitment video. That evening, we had to do our first cut, down to 12 houses. I was confident in my answers. The 12 houses I selected were based on their videos, social media, GPA, girls in each house, reputations, and any prior knowledge I had of them. I went to bed that night nervous that I would not get many houses left. We headed to the row for Philanthropy Day 1, and to my surprise, I got a full schedule back! I was so excited that I was invited back.
Abigail’s Experience
The nerves and excitement filled me! From the outside. This whole process seems so trivial. Although when your in the middle of it, it feels as though your whole college experience will depend on this 9 day period. After cutting back my first house list I was petrified like everyone else for the phone call. If you don’t know what this is, it is when your Rho Chi receives notice that you either didn’t get any houses back, or that you were dropped from rush as a whole. But we persevered and Like Mollie I was lucky enough to get every house back! This is where the hard work actually begins- the first rounds of rush.
Conversations
Mollie’s Conversations
My conversations in each house were all great! Many of them ran together because I attended a lot of them and had similar experiences. Truly such awesome girls in each sorority and I couldn’t have had a better rush experience. Over the next few days, I narrowed my preferences down to 7 houses. Again, I got a full schedule back of 7 for the sisterhood round. It was Alpha Chi Omega and one other house left for preference. I preferred Alpha Chi and opened up their bid in Bryant-Denny Stadium! The next day, I ran home to my big, who is still one of my best friends. We have been on multiple vacations and have visited each other hometowns. It was an awesome experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Abigail’s Conversations
Similarly, I had mostly great experiences with rushing at varying houses. Getting every house back for all the rounds is not super common so we were both very lucky and it was nice to have the options of where I wanted to go and not just where I had to. Through this week of literal blood, sweat, and tears, I met so many incredible people but also a few that were fake. But that’s ok and all part of the process which led me to the house I ended up at. I was very happy with where I had gone thus far and preference round came flying by. I was really torn between the two houses and unsure of which to go to.
Headed to Delta Gamma
At my first house, I had a great conversation and a good time there. Then came time to go to my last house- I still had no idea which to choose. Whilst there, I spoke with two girls (who I’m still friends with to this day) who were talking about how they just met through rush but had become best friends. Quick thing to note is that there is a VERY strict set of things that both the PNMs and the active members are and are not allowed to talk about. So as they are telling me how close they had become because of dg, one accidently blurted out something hysterical that they were not meant to say. They both profusely started apologizing to me while also holding back laughs at each other. It sounds like such a trivial moment but for me it was pivotal. Having spent 9 days talking with people who were only there to gain new members the conversations although good weren’t real. So this seemingly insignificant but authentic comment broke through the third wall for me and it felt as though this was an real house with real people, honesty, connection, and laughter. Shoutout to Cam for being the reason I rushed the boat!! (delta gamma of course!)
Bid Day Retreats
Mollie’s Bid Day Retreat
After receiving my bid and running home to my big, we immediately went home to pack an overnight bag. I got on the bus and traveled to a resort in Birmingham, Al. We unpacked and went for a swim with our new PC, then went to bed to get ready for the next day. When we woke up the next day, we ate breakfast and talked about all of the “rules” and standards that the sorority holds us to. We did icebreakers and got to know each other. We went home and finally got good sleep! I was very tired and sick due to the long week. It was a great time!
Abigail’s Bid Day Experience
Post cooking in the 100-degree oven of Bryant Deny Stadium, I too ran home to my bid day big. It was such a surreal and fulfilling moment that solidified my past 4 months of hard work. I enjoyed bid day at the house and like most was sure to go to Taco Mama after! My bid day retreat was such an incredible time. We were eventually packed onto busses with no idea of where I would get to go. Dg set up the most gorgeous dinner for us on the lake at the North River Yatt Club. After eating, we went inside and I was surprised with a silent disco and partied hard together with our new sisters. The next day, the festivities continued and we went to this massive lake where there were paddle boards, kayaks, and trampolines in the water. Later that day after I cleaned up, I ended my bid day retreat at Bear Trap, a rooftop bar was rented out for us.
That’s A Wrap
The recruitment process at the University of Alabama, known as Bama Rush, is truly one of a kind. From the high-stakes anticipation and preparation, to the thrill and stress of each round, and finally the unforgettable excitement of Bid Day, every step is an adventure. While it’s a challenging and often overwhelming experience, it’s also one that creates lifelong memories and friendships. For us, I experienced Bama Rush as journey filled with unexpected highs and lows, but in the end, I was lead to my new home.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our experiences! We hope our stories have given you a glimpse into the craziness, emotions, and joy of rush. Whether you’re considering rushing yourself or just curious about what it’s like, we appreciate your interest in our journey. Stay tuned for more posts as we continue to share our adventures in Greek life at Alabama. Until next time! 💖
