photo of women standing under a balloon arch

August 16 - 22, 2024

    photo of CPC Exec at FAE Awards banquet

    What is Panhellenic Primary Recruitment?

    Panhellenic Primary Recruitment is a formalized mutual selection process by which a student is guaranteed to see all 16 chapters at Iowa State University who are members of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council. It is the main process the National Panhellenic Conference sororities use to recruit new members. The students begin by seeing all 16 chapters during the first round and then narrow options through a mutual selection process for remaining event. 

    Participation in formal recruitment does not guarantee an invitation to join a sorority, nor does it obligate a student to join. However, almost students participating in formal recruitment over the last 5 years have years have joined a NPC sorority at the weeks conclusion.

    Registration is open now!

    I joined a sorority because I was looking for a place where I felt I belonged. Growing up in a small town, I struggled to find my place; when I came to Iowa State and met the incredible women in my chapter, I found women who truly loved me for who I am! My chapter encourages me to excel in academics, leadership positions, and my professional life. I have never met a more inspiring group of women!

    Molly

    College is a time to explore who you are, what matters to you, and what value you want to bring to the world! And joining a sorority is about finding your people – the women who will cheer you on and challenge you along the way. Your future sisters will be there to support you as you learn all that you’re capable of, and through the sorority experience you’ll tap into your potential through exploring leadership, giving back to the community, and serving others. The Collegiate Panhellenic Council offers the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about finding your people and finding where you belong!

    Sorority is … coming together to make a difference! Sororities bring incredible women together and provide outlets and support for us to do real good in our community. We believe there is no group at Iowa State University that has the power to impact our world like sororities!

    Sorority is … fun! It’s about always having those go-to girls you can sing at the top of your lungs with, late-night study buddies, that sister who is there when you need ice cream (or a hug), and a mentor who inspires you to be the best version of you. 

    Sorority is … a community of support. You’ve heard about our “sisterhood.” Sororities provide a family and a home away from home. Your sisters will be there for you – for celebrating your wins, for tough conversations, and for when you need a shoulder to lean on. Sisterhood is deeper than friendship and lasts far beyond the few years we’re in college. 

    Like what you have heard? Want to meet the Iowa State University Collegiate Panhellenic Council Sororities? 

    Sorority Recruitment is where you will find your people. Register here! as soon as possible!

    Registration for the 2024 Primary Recruitment is open through August 8th, 2024. For questions how to get involved, please email us at cpcrecruitment@iastate.edu. 

    To participate in Primary Recruitment, you must be a fully matriculated, undergraduate woman enrolled at Iowa State University and registered to participate in Primary Recruitment. The fee to participate in recruitment is $175 (registration fee and meals are included in this fee).  You must pay the registration fee in order to be registered for recruitment. Please note these fees covers all operating costs of Panhellenic Formal Recruitment.

    Most women are able to complete the registration form in about 15 minutes. You are able to come back and edit the form after submitting up until the closing of registration.  

    The registration link for Primary Recruitment 2024 is available here: https://iastatecpc.mycampusdirector2.com

    The 2024 Panhellenic Primary Recruitment schedule is below:

    August 16, 2024: move in and Primary Recruitment Check-In/Orientation

    • Families should say their farewells prior to 5:00pm

    August 17, 2024: Round 1, Day 1 (Welcome Weekend) 

    August 18, 2024: Round 1, Day 2 (Welcome Weekend)

    August 19, 2024: Round 2 (Values Showcase) - visit up to 11 sororities

    August 20, 2024: Round 3 (Living Panhellenic) - visit up to 7 sororities

    August 21, 2024: Round 4 (Preference) - visit up to 2 sororities

    August 22, 2024: Panhellenic Bid Day

    August 22-24, 2024: Destination Iowa State

    August 26, 2024: Fall 2024 Semester Begins

    Students living in the residence halls need to complete an early move-in request through the housing portal to move in on August 16, 2024. Students living off campus should secure a move-in date with their housing accommodations on or before August 16th, 2024. 

    All meals are included in the Primary Recruitment registration fee. There is no further action that needs to be taken. 

    Recommendation letters are not commonly used at Iowa State University. 

    Prospective members who seek to submit recommendation letters should have sorority alumnae follow the guidance from their individual organization on how to submit recommendation letters. The Collegiate Panhellenic Council does not collect or distribute recommendation letters.

    There is absolutely no need to hire, consult, or obtain a recruitment consultant at anytime to participate in Primary Recruitment at Iowa State University. You might see advertisements offering the perfect "rush resume" or offering "insider tips" on social media. Please know that these resources are not sponsored or recommend by the Collegiate Panhellenic Council or Office of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement. If you have questions or concerns please contact our office at 515-294-1023 or email us at cpcrecruitment@iastate.edu. We are here to help guide you through the process. 

    Primary Recruitment feels like summer camp! You meet the most amazing people in your recruitment group and in the chapters. When you run home on Bid Day, you gain a chapter and community full of friends that will last a lifetime. Joining a sorority has made me a stronger leader, student, and friend.

    Catherine

    Frequently Asked Questions

    During Primary Recruitment, women stay in their residence. For those living on campus their first year, the residence halls open early so that those participating in recruitment can move into their assigned residence hall and their actual room. For those living off campus, you will need to confirm with your housing that you will be able to move in on time or find alternative housing for recruitment week. 

    Absolutely! In fact, many of our members never saw themselves as a sorority girl. There are incredible women who make up our community and there is not one type of woman that joins sorority. All women can be sorority women. 

    You can move into your residence hall on August 16th starting at 9 am! You need to complete the early move-in form in the housing portal through the Department of Residence in order to move-in early. In the early evening we’ll hold a Primary Recruitment orientation and kick-off.

    You will eat at the ISU dining halls! The dining hall costs are already built into your registration fee. After you register for Primary Recruitment, you’re all set!

    First year students typically live in the residence halls. You will move into your sorority house your sophomore and junior years at ISU! If you are lucky, you may be able to live in the house as a senior. 

    You should receive your email 2-3 business days after completing your registration! If you haven’t received it, we recommend checking your spam folders! If you still have not received the welcome packet, please email us at cpcrecruitment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-1023

    No! Please come as you are! The chapters are interested in getting to know YOU!

    One of my favorite sisterhood moments is when we did a Camp theme for a sisterhood event. We went to a local camp and did a lot of fun get to know you activities to build trust. It was so fun to not only learn and meet our new members but also I grew so much closer to sisters I already knew!

    Allie

    • 1 in 6

      One in six women at Iowa State join a sorority!