How Much Does It Cost To Rush? (Based On Real Bama Numbers)

As somebody who spent their freshman yr on the College of Alabama (UA), I do know first hand how a lot it prices to simply participate in a second semester class. Plus, you may have expertise in Greek life and your social circle shouldn’t be the one factor that immediately expands.

The sorority hashtags and content material exploded on social media, making it a actuality tv present for us as a lot because the precise recruitment course of. This was very true for UA. It’s usually used as a nationwide recruitment benchmark as a result of its measurement and funding.

Earlier this yr, Max (previously HBO Max) launched a documentary inspecting the UA rush via a magnifying glass. Whether or not you have been desirous to observe #Bamarush Development, who’s seen the documentary, or have an interest within the costs paid for Greek life, let’s discuss concerning the true value of recruiting sororities.

We’ll break down the push course of, level out its fundamental monetary elements, and evaluate the professionals and cons of dwelling in Greece.

The aim of Greek life on campus is noble sufficient. These organizations enable like-minded folks to unite, discover new alternatives, give again to the neighborhood, and construct bonds round shared dedication and accountability. Many individuals assist the Greek system builds identification on massive campuses, whereas additionally serving to to construct deep relationships with folks dwelling the identical life.

Also referred to as “recruitment” is a possible journey to satisfy and embark on a sorority to embark on a job within the hopes of potential new members (or PNMs) being chosen to in the end take part. Through the rush, PNMs meet all taking part sororities on campus and are interviewed about how properly they match into the group primarily. The time period “speeding” comes from the idea that feminine college students are speeding to indicate themselves as the most effective on campus, attracting the most effective members.

Recruitment often happens within the fall and spring at many universities. The autumn rush is the most important recruitment interval annually, as it’s primarily the start of the college yr.

Some colleges maintain recruitment a number of weeks earlier than the category begins, whereas others maintain it proper after the category begins. In any case, a typical rush cycle happens between August and October annually.

There was a rush on the College of Alabama this previous week.

Throughout Rush Week, it is possible for you to to know every sorority and vice versa, you’ll expertise a number of theme rounds as properly. The rounds are shorter originally of the week and longer close to the tip as Schlority narrows the record of PNMs and invitations them to see extra intimately about sisterhood. Equally, the variety of houses on PNM visits decreases day-after-day.

This is what your week will appear to be:

Day 1, Convened: PNM meets and learns about every sorority on campus. Word that sororities will vote for high candidates on the finish of every spherical. Day 2, Charity: PNM learns about volunteering and neighborhood involvement in every chapter. This theme could also be prolonged for greater than three days a day. Sisters: PNMs can get to know chapter members higher via one-on-one conversations. These conversations are intently noticed by different chapter members. Day 4, Precedence: PNM visits one or three favourite houses. This night is commonly the longest and most critical spherical, with the chapters making a remaining evaluation of PNM qualities, revenue ranges and compatibility. You may see which sororities matched on the bid date!

Everyone knows that sororities fee you primarily based on what you deliver to every go to. However what does that actually imply? What’s most necessary to them? Needless to say studying this record is necessary to evaluate how every chapter matches your pursuits.

Listed below are some pattern questions you’d wish to be able to reply:

Why did you select this faculty? Why are you interested by Greek life? What’s your main? What sort of actions did you do in highschool? What sort of actions are you planning on doing on campus?

When answering these questions, take into consideration how your solutions will convey your private qualities. A few of the finest qualities that sorority is desirous about are:

Your dedication to the college was revealed by your grades and your college entrance examination rating dedication. This will likely even be demonstrated by the empirical talents of previous volunteers.

Some folks additionally pay sorority rush consultants to navigate this course of.

Here’s a breakdown of every space you could be able to spend your cash within the first yr of your Sorority Life:

If you happen to resolve to carry a recruitment, we hope you might be able to be “fascinated by God.” The Sorority OOTD (Outfits of the Day) video gained a number of traction with #Rushtok through the fall recruitment interval, highlighting the size the PNM goes to to face out.

Common clothes manufacturers worn by PNMS throughout recruitment can be found at costs. And belief me, you’ll really feel pressured to see you carrying the identical model as your friends. Favourite objects embrace Altar’d State Tops (roughly $35 to $80). Kendra Scott Jewellery ($40 to $200); Lily Pulitzer Floral Print Costume ($100 to $300); Steve Madden Sneakers ($50 to $350).

Keep in mind the push theme I discussed?

That is the place they begin to hit your checking account. Since you are additionally anticipated to play the nightly elements of the adoption and curate themed outfits. The full value of rush clothes could possibly be round $450 every week, assuming you borrow some objects from a good friend and maintain a less expensive new buy.

All members pay membership charges per semester, however these charges fluctuate relying on the chapter you select.

If you happen to select to dwell in a chapter home, it consists of the prices you could anticipate annually, together with the rooms and boards. One-time new membership charges for pledges, initiation and sorority pin pickup improve the price of one yr.

The typical new membership price for UA for the 2025-2026 tutorial yr is $4,750 per semester. Please observe that some chapters have member scholarships or grants primarily based on their monetary wants and tutorial deserves. Nonetheless, these are often solely out there to current members.

Do I want a breakdown of prices? For one of many high rated sororities in UA, see the fiscal funds under.

Whether or not you reside in a chapter home or off campus, housing prices add a considerable quantity to your first yr school bills.

Please observe that dwelling in a chapter home could be doubtlessly dearer than sharing a dorm or residence along with your roommate elsewhere. Nonetheless, dwelling in-house additionally has the benefit of being on or close to campus. This creates ample social alternatives. And maybe most significantly, because of the non-public cooks of your chapter, it supplies nearly all day entry to freshly ready meals.

Nonetheless, the charges for dwelling in-house throughout UA’s 2025-2026 faculty yr common of $8,400. Examine that with the common out-of-house value of dwelling every semester, which is $4,100. If you happen to select to not dwell within the firm, you’ll often be required to pay for the meal plan for every semester chapter.

Remember that there are frequent, one-time, non-refundable charges simply to register for employment. The UA expenses $375, overlaying recruitment publications, use of campus services, transportation round campus, and recruitment t-shirts.

Including all of the above prices collectively provides you wonderful outcomes. Total, you are taking a look at a mean new membership price of round $4,750 per semester, or $9,500 in your first yr – that does not embrace dwelling in a sorority home!

If you happen to resolve to dwell in a chapter home after the primary yr, the overall will improve and barely lower in the event you select to proceed dwelling outdoors of it. Remember, these averages add to the price of attending your college.

We’re contemplating a mean new membership price of roughly $4,750 per semester or $9,500 for the primary yr.

Many college students are drawn to the ample alternatives Greek life affords. Nonetheless, it is very important rigorously take into account what you need from this potential chapter of your life and whether or not the prices related to it are well worth the profit.

In case your thoughts is in a rush, it’s best to create a funds at the very least upfront, at the very least so as to consciously plan your spending. In spite of everything, Greek life could also be an excellent funding in your self, however you needn’t bear an enormous debt for it.

If sorority charges exceed faculty attendance prices, federal or institutional monetary support can’t be used to cowl the hole. Due to this fact, if crucial, analysis analysis scholarships that could be out there primarily based in your tutorial profile. And test in case your sorority affords its personal inner scholarship or staged cost plans. Additionally take into account different methods to save cash elsewhere as a pupil, akin to splitting the prices of streaming companies, lowering mobile phone payments, or shopping for objects you utilize quite than new.

Keep in mind: Skilled recruitment doesn’t promise a bid on the finish. So take your time and actually take into consideration whether or not you are prepared to speculate your cash upfront in one thing that you just would possibly stroll away.