Penn State’s Panhellenic Council had a groundbreaking number of registrations for Formal Recruitment this year. A record 1,740 Greek hopefuls signed up to face the two weeks of open houses and, of course, bid day.

“We did predict that numbers would increase from last year,” said Panhellenic President Meaghan DeMallie. “We planned on 1,600, but clearly underestimated how many women would be interested in joining the Panhellenic community.” 

While the influx of prospective sisters is exciting for the Greek community, it does come with its own logistical difficulties. With so many women and so little time at each sorority, it may prove difficult for the women to understand what each chapter is really like. 

Luckily, the Panhellenic Council planned for a circumstance like this. “We’ve added more parties and more Pi Chi groups than last year while still keeping the same amount of rounds,” said Vice President for Communications Pamela Gramlich. 

Yet there is another new variable in this year’s formal recruitment — the recolonization of the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma at Penn State. Since the chapter doesn’t have any members yet, it really can’t hold open houses like the rest of the already established sororities. But because it is a part of Panhellenic Council, it will be making a presentation at Formal Recruitment’s orientation.

From there, the process is a little different. “Phi Sigma Sigma will be holding a less formal recruitment after formal recruitment ends,” said Gramlich. “They will still hold a ‘meet the sisters’ event, where their consultants will explain the recruitment process.”

Good luck to everyone going through recruitment!