Vocabulary to Know Before Going Through Recruitment

Quick answer: Before recruitment, it helps to know a handful of key terms: PNM (potential new member), bid (a formal invitation to join), rush (informal term for recruitment), legacy (a relative who was a member), and philanthropy (a chapter's designated charitable cause). Knowing this vocabulary going in makes recruitment conversations much less confusing.

Recruitment basics

PNM — Potential New Member, the official term for someone going through recruitment. Rush — the informal name for the recruitment process. Bid — a formal invitation from a chapter to join, given on bid day.

Chapter terms

Legacy — a PNM with a close relative (usually a mother, sister, or grandmother) who was a member of that specific sorority, which can factor into recruitment at some chapters. Philanthropy — the designated charitable cause a chapter fundraises for. Big/little — the mentor relationship formed after joining.

Process terms

Round — one stage of the multi-day recruitment process (see our Rush Week guide for a full breakdown). Preference (or "pref") — the final, most formal round before bid day. Panhellenic — the governing council most social sororities belong to.

FAQ

What does PNM stand for?
Potential New Member — the term used for anyone going through sorority or fraternity recruitment.

What's the difference between rush and recruitment?
They refer to the same process — "rush" is the informal, older term; "recruitment" is the current official term used by most Panhellenic councils.

Learn the full process in our Rush Week guide, then shop gear once you've got your bid.