Primary sorority recruitment at the University of Maryland will begin Jan. 29, 2026, launching two weeks of events for potential new members.
University of Maryland students who register for recruitment by the Jan. 28 deadline will have the opportunity to rush 16 sororities.
Orientation will take place on Jan. 28 at Ritchie Coliseum, where potential new members will meet their Rho Gamma groups. Within these groups, potential new members will receive guided tours of the 16 sorority houses led by an older sorority member. The sorority houses are scattered around Fraternity Row, and the Graham Cracker area in Historic College Park.
“For potential new members I would say to be yourself and go into recruitment with an open mind, the right people will find you,” said Audrey Stern, a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
The values round will take place Jan. 30-31. During this round, students will visit each chapter house and engage in 25-minute conversations with one or two sorority members. Potential new members are encouraged to wear jeans, sneakers and the recruitment shirt they receive at orientation.
After each round, both potential new members and sorority chapters will rank one another through a mutual selection process.
Next, the philanthropy round will take place on Feb. 1. Potential new members will participate in longer conversations and watch a short presentation about each chapter’s philanthropy, a specific cause to which a chapter donates. Each chapter normally holds fundraisers every semester and donates to their cause. For the philanthropy round, students are encouraged to dress in semi-casual attire such as a sweater or nice top with pants, a skirt, boots or flats.
During the community round, which will occur on Feb. 6, chapters will share more information about their sisterhood and traditions, and potential new members will have deeper conversations with members. Recommended attire includes a nice top with pants or skirt, or a dress with boots or flats.
Finally, potential new members will attend the final preference round where they’ll spend about an hour with a chapter and may hear personal stories from members. Students will attend up to two chapters before ranking their final preferences.
“During preference round the conversations felt so real and meaningful, and I got such a clear sense of how real and supportive the sisterhood is,” said Konstance Calvi, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi.
Bid day will be the following Sunday, when students will receive an envelope revealing their chapter and will run home to celebrate with their new sorority. Potential new members are encouraged to wear jeans and sneakers as each chapter will provide a Bid Day shirt and houses will be decorated accordingly. This day typically includes photos, dancing and time to meet new sisters.
Potential new members should remember to always be yourself during recruitment and go wherever feels right.