MONTGOMERY COUNTY PANHELLENIC ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
Sorority Parents
What is a sorority, really?
Sororities are national and international Greek-letter organizations that have been in existence for more than 150 years on accredited college and university campuses. Chapters function as an extended family unit, providing a caring, safe environment that encourages individual development for a lifetime. Sorority programming develops leadership through involvement in chapter offices and committees, as well as involvement on campus. Other opportunities for Greeks include scholarships, philanthropy, and social service involvement. Many sorority chapters offer campus housing. Check with your specific university/sorority chapter for campus housing details.
What are the lifetime benefits of sorority membership?
As a collegiate member, she will have a support group that truly cares about her, leadership opportunities, academic support and encouragement, and a safe social outlet. The bonds of sisterhood she develops during college will remain with her after graduation. Wherever she goes, even to another country, she will have a support system and opportunity to form beneficial relationships.
To be a member, my daughter has to go through recruitment?
Membership recruitment is a period of mutual selection. It is a process during which your daughter gets to know about the sororities and members on her campus, and the sorority membership gets to know your daughter. Recruitment activities might include open houses, informal events, and/or formal events. Often the final activities of recruitment are called "Preferentials," and are formal events. The NPC on each campus determines the approximate dates and rules for recruitment on their campus.
I want my daughter to get a good education. Will being Greek promote that?
Yes. All NPC member sororities have scholastic standards for their members. As a new member, your daughter will be encouraged to achieve academic success. Sororities offer a variety of tools to support this effort, including group study hours, tutoring, and peer incentives. Additionally, NPC whole-heartedly promotes high academic achievement. Every year Greek women are awarded thousands of dollars for exceptional academic achievement from NPC and other Greek groups.
What kind of expenses are we talking about?
Financial expectations vary among sororities. There are one-time fees, as well as regular dues. Each sorority chapter determines dues based on factors including programming for its members. When housing is available, those costs are often competitive or less than campus options.