Ten Questions you may be Asked During Sorority Recruitment 

Sorority recruitment can be exciting yet nerve-racking. It’s a great experience to meet new people and find the sorority that perfectly fits you. However, to find that fit, one thing is certain– there will be a lot of questions. So, what should you expect to be asked?
Here are ten common questions you could be asked about with tips on answering them confidently.

• Where are you from?

  While it’s easy to say “My name is Caroline and I am from Maryland,” it doesn’t reveal much about who you are. Add details alongside the facts. Instead, I could say, “My name is Caroline and I am from Maryland. I’ve lived in a few towns around the state, but my favorite place was when I lived across the street from a cow farm.” Adding information about the cows not only paints a picture of where I lived but opens the invitation for a sorority member to ask more questions about the location.

  You can also use your hometown to transition onto a new topic, like why you attended or what you hope to gain when attending your college. Since my campus is in a more urban area, I could speak about how I wanted to introduce myself to a new environment– compared to the rural town I am used to– and the desire to find a city with better post-graduate opportunities.

• Can you tell me about yourself?

  Though it’s an icebreaker many people dread, it’s an essential starting point for getting to know who you are. This is a great time to mention hobbies, interests or special fun facts. For example, I could say, “I love photography, swimming laps and reading about pop culture.” It’s better to answer with more than one interest. The more interests you share, the more likely you are to discover a commonality with the sorority member you’re meeting.

   

• What’s your major? What are you involved with/plan to be involved with on campus?

   When discussing your major, you can explain why you chose it, what classes you are taking and possible career interests. 

  Regarding involvement, speak about any clubs, sports or professional organizations you are a part of. Why did you join these? Were you involved in these extracurriculars in high school, too? Any detail helps the sorority member gauge who you are and your day-to-day life.

  If you’re not a part of any extracurriculars in college yet, or are not sure what you’re interested in, that’s okay! Discuss how you want to learn more about how to get involved on campus or what interests you might like to explore through extracurricular activities. The sorority member could suggest activities you were unaware of, opening the door to new possibilities.

• What are your values?

  Values are beliefs that guide one’s life. Similar to how every person has their own values, each sorority has differing values, too. That’s why sororities participate in “values-based recruitment” to recruit women who understand and follow the principles of their organization. 

  It’s important to stay true to your values during sorority recruitment to find the perfect match. Have a top three in mind as you head into each round. If you’re unsure what your values are, read “Discover Your Values” to find what resonates with you. 

• Why are you interested in sorority life?

  Think about how you can tie your personal experience into this question. Short-ended answers like “to meet new people” can be enhanced by adding the why. Why do you want to meet new people? Your answer could be:

  “Coming to college as an out-of-state student was a difficult transition. I had to adjust to a new environment while simultaneously finding new friends. I hope joining a sorority and surrounding myself with women who have the same interests and goals as me will make it easier to adjust.”

• What do you hope to gain from a sorority?

  Again, details are helpful when answering. You can mention building new connections, philanthropic involvement, leadership opportunities, etc. and share why they’re important to you.

• Are you interested in leadership positions?

  Sorority leadership does not only stand out on a resume but helps you improve valuable transferable skills for your future career. If interested in leadership, first mention any positions you’ve held in high school (i.e. team captain, president of the debate club, etc.). Then, explain what you’ve learned in these positions and how you can contribute to their sorority.

  If you don’t have past leadership experience, that’s ok! Share why you’re interested in using a sorority as your starting point. Reasonings can include passion or desire to increase involvement.

• Who is a female role model in your life?

  The first sororities formed when women weren’t allowed to congregate together. Because of this, sisterhood and women’s empowerment are the core of many organizations’ values. That said, this is a question you may be asked during recruitment. Answers can be a friend, family member, professor, coach or even someone famous. Give details on how this person has impacted your life and what lessons you’ve learned from them.

• Have you volunteered in the past?

  Explain your experience, how it felt helping your community and the outcomes of your service– if you know. If you haven’t participated in philanthropic efforts in the past, talk about why you’d like to volunteer.

  All sororities support a national philanthropy. It’s important that you are interested in joining service projects or fundraising efforts related to their philanthropy.

• Do you have any questions for me?

  Utilize this time! Recruitment is a mutual selection process. It’s important for you to ask each sorority about the topics that are important to you as well. Having questions prepared shows that you did your research and are genuinely interested in an organization. Questions you could ask include, but aren’t limited to:

  • What is the average time commitment expected by members?

  • What is the financial obligation for members?
  • Can you talk about your sorority experience?

  Recruitment rounds are fast, so it’s important to use the time you have to ask each member organization questions. These questions help you make informed decisions throughout your recruitment journey. They also give you insight into what your experience might be like if you join a sorority.

Sorority recruitment is a unique and personal experience. Though each sorority will ask different questions, every question is meant to earn a greater understanding of your values, interests and potential contributions to the sisterhood. The more detail you provide in your answers, the more genuine connections you will make with sororities during recruitment, ultimately improving your chances of finding the sorority that aligns with you.