Clemson University’s Panhellenic sororities are excited to share information aimed to clear up common misunderstandings about sorority life, provide a closer look at what it means to be part of a Clemson Panhellenic sorority and highlight the positive experiences and opportunities available to members.
Registration for Clemson Panhellenic 2024 fall recruitment is currently open and will close Aug. 4.
Myth 1: Being in a sorority means paying for friends.
Fact: Your membership dues cover costs such as merchandise, catered food, sisterhood events, chapter functions, philanthropy fundraisers and more. Additionally, sorority dues at Clemson are significantly lower than other large universities, as Clemson Panhellenic does not have sorority houses but shared buildings in the Greek Quad.
Many of our members support their own Greek life experience by either helping to pay or fully paying their own dues. Most chapters offer payment plans and scholarships to chapter members as well. See the CPA website for individual chapter financial cards.
Myth 2: All CPA sorority women are the same.
Fact: CPA sororities celebrate individuality and diversity. With 13 chapters averaging 344 members each, our women are from various backgrounds with unique interests and majors. Additionally, each chapter at Clemson offers over 30 leadership positions, including DEI representatives who collaborate with Klaudia Lagowski, CPA’s vice president of diversity, equity & inclusion.
Myth 3: It is more difficult to get a bid as an out-of-state student.
Fact: Clemson Panhellenic is made up of more out-of-state students than in-state! With members from all around the world, only 58.4% of CPA members come from the Southeast. In 2023, 66% of our women going through recruitment were from out of state. Our chapters care more about learning who you are and the friendships they can build with you instead of where you are from.
Clemson Sorority recruitment is also structured very differently from large SEC university recruitment processes. For example, Clemson sorority recruitment is located in one place, Littlejohn Coliseum, where all chapters convene. This allows all PNMs to focus on their recruitment experience rather than having to travel all over campus.
Myth 4: Sorority membership is a huge time commitment.
Fact: Sororities at Clemson place a strong emphasis on academics and campus involvement. Our chapters offer structured study programs, academic mentorship and a range of academic resources to help members excel in their studies. In fact, CPA has the highest GPA in all of Clemson Greek Life!
Sorority members are often deeply involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. Sororities encourage participation in other clubs, sports teams, academic societies and leadership roles on campus, which promotes a well-rounded college experience. CPA also offers numerous opportunities for personal development, including leadership roles, networking and skill-building workshops. Many alumnae credit their sorority experience with helping them develop essential career skills.
Myth 5: I need to buy new, expensive or designer clothing to get a bid.
Fact: The truth is that most of our chapter members immediately forget what you wore during recruitment. While it is important to wear clothing that matches the dress code of each round, the specifics are less important. When you are dressed in clothes that make you feel confident and showcase who you are, that will translate into how you feel during recruitment. Please see the Clemson Panhellenic Guide to Recruitment or our Panhellenic Pinterest to learn more about the dress code for each day of sorority recruitment.
Myth 6: Sororities are only about the social experience.
Fact: Social experiences are a fun part of your Panhellenic experience. From attending sorority formals to tailgating on game days, social events with your sisters are an exciting part of membership. However, our chapters offer much more than just social events. They provide a robust support system, fostering lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community. Members also engage in meaningful philanthropic activities as well as benefit from numerous leadership, academic and professional opportunities.
Myth 7: It’s harder to join a sorority as an upperclassman.
Fact: Provided you are a full-time student and have not been initiated into another NPC sorority at Clemson or another campus, you can participate in formal recruitment. Clemson upholds different quotas for freshmen and upperclassmen, and a PNM’s classification is determined by their year of high school graduation. The upper class/secondary quota is used specifically to place upperclassmen and transfer students. This dual-quota system gives all women participating in recruitment a greater opportunity to join a sorority.
Continuing students are encouraged to register for recruitment and find their “home away from home.” Continuing students can also explore the informal recruitment process after the primary recruitment period concludes.
Myth 8: Panhellenic sorority recruitment is competitive.
Fact: Panhellenic recruitment is a mutual selection process, not a competitive one. At the end of each recruitment round, both you and the chapters will submit preferences. The hope is to help you narrow down who you best connect with each day until everyone finds their fit. Recruitment is about finding an organization that aligns with who you are. It allows you to meet people and build relationships based on your values and connection.
Myth 9: I can increase my chances of getting a bid by hiring a consultant or submitting a supplemental resume/letter of recommendation.
Fact: Clemson Panhellenic does not endorse utilizing third-party companies or consultants, nor do we accept resumes. There is no cheat code or hack to Clemson recruitment. Letters of recommendation are optional and can be submitted to individual chapters through the contacts listed on our website. Our chapters primarily utilize registration information, such as the PNM video, to learn about PNMs prior to recruitment. A letter of recommendation is not going to help or hurt your recruitment experience.
“We want to clear up these misconceptions by shining a light on the positive impact sororities have on our members and the broader Clemson community,” said Alyssa Neff, vice president of external public relations for Clemson Panhellenic Association. “Sororities offer a supportive network that helps women grow academically, professionally, socially, and personally.”
For more information about Clemson University sororities, please visit www.clemsonpanhellenic.com
About Clemson Panhellenic Association
Clemson Panhellenic is comprised of 13 National Panhellenic Conference chapters with over 4,000 members. Each chapter is unique, but all are united by the core values of scholarship, sisterhood, leadership, service and helping women exceed their potential.
