The Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA) is one of the four councils within The University of Alabama’s Fraternity and Sorority Life community. Joining an Alabama Panhellenic Association sorority offers students opportunities for:
- Leadership
- Service
- Academic support
- Personal development
- Community Building
- Social or Engagement Opportunities
Throughout the recruitment process, individuals are encouraged to explore all chapters and keep an open mind when considering where they may find the best fit. Each organization contributes uniquely to the broader campus experience and fosters a strong sense of community and belonging.
New Member Requirements
Potential New Members (PNM) of the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA) must:
- Register for primary recruitment (occurs each fall prior to the start of classes)
- Complete the Continuous Open Bidding Interest Form (Fall semester after the conclusion of primary recruitment and Spring semester)
Before Joining
Complete the Hazing Policy Acknowledgement Form
Take the UA Thrive Hazing Prevention Course
After Joining
Complete the OFSL FERPA Grade Release Form
Recruitment Process
The Alabama Panhellenic Association sororities traditionally admit new members in August through the Primary Recruitment process, which occurs the week before the start of the fall semester. Some chapters also engage in a less formal recruitment process known as Continuous Open Bidding, or COB, in the fall and spring.
InfoFall 2026 Primary Recruitment Dates
Fall 2026 Recruitment Dates will be announced in Spring 2026.
Eligibility
To be eligible to join an APA sorority through the Primary Recruitment process, you should:
- Have not been initiated into another NPC sorority at UA or on another campus
- Consistently live and self-identify as a woman
- Have full-time UA enrollment, including incoming first-semester students
- Complete recruitment registration. Information will be available on the UA Panhellenic website.
- Complete and submit additional required components for recruitment registration. Information will be available on the UA Panhellenic website.
- Pay a participation fee at the time of registration, along with an early move in fee (if living on campus).
GPA
Although the APA does not require a specific GPA to participate in recruitment, each sorority chapter does have a minimum grade requirement for pledging and initiation. It is highly recommended that all prospective members have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time of recruitment. More information can be found at APA eligibility.
Registration
To register for Primary Recruitment, complete the online Sorority Recruitment Registration Form. Questions regarding Fall Primary Recruitment or COB can be directed to alabamarecruitment@gmail.com.
Financial Investment
New Member Fees Per Semester (First Year Only)
$4,750 (Avg.) – $5,532 (High)Includes chapter meal plan, local chapter fees, and inter/national fees as well as one-time fees associated with pledging and initiation.
New Members joining a chapter with a full-service kitchen will have their University meal plan reduced to the Fraternity and Sorority Alternative Meal Plan, provided their name and CWID is submitted to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life by the required deadline.
Living In-House Fees Per Semester
$8,400 (Avg.) – $9,996 (High)Includes room, chapter meal plan (if applicable), local chapter fees, and inter/national fees
Living Out-of-House Fees Per Semester
$4,100 (Avg.) – $5,048 (High)Includes chapter meal plan (if applicable), local chapter fees, and inter/national fees
Maximizing Your Opportunity
The following are ways to increase the likelihood that you will be offered membership in an Alabama Panhellenic Association organization.
Deadlines
We recommend registering as soon as you are able so chapters have ample time to review your materials. Registration typically opens in early May.
Pay attention to APA’s Greek Chic Recruitment Guide, which offers the schedule for recruitment, helpful information about what to wear each day, and so much more to keep you informed.
GPA
Study hard – while there is no minimum GPA required to participate in recruitment, each chapter does have a minimum GPA requirement for membership, and it is highly recommended that all Potential New Members have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time of recruitment.
Social Media
Be mindful of your social media presence – past and present. The content you post, comment on and are tagged in can communicate a variety of messages to different audiences.
Recommendation Letters
While chapter-specific letters of recommendation are not required, if you choose to obtain any, we recommend that you review the chapters who accept recommendation letters and the content they are looking for. The full list can be found on the UA Panhellenic website. Don’t forget you can always upload an optional supplemental academic letter of recommendation when you register for recruitment as well.
Keep an Open Mind!
Recruitment is a mutual selection process, meaning that as you are making decisions throughout the week of recruitment, so are the chapters. This may mean not going back to a chapter you prioritized highly, and you may receive an invitation to a chapter you had indicated as a low priority. Consider this an opportunity to get to know the chapter further as they have identified you as someone who fits the values and expectations of their organization.
Explore Your Options
You are required to attend all of the parties on your schedule each round, even if they may not be your top choice chapter. Also make sure that you understand the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA):
- If you visit one chapter on preference round and you are willing to accept a bid from that chapter, list it on your MRABA and you are guaranteed a bid to that chapter.
- If you visit two chapters on preference round, you can list, in preferential rank order, which chapters during that round you are willing to accept a bid from. If you are willing to accept a bid from either chapter, list both and you are guaranteed a bid to one of those two chapters. It is not required to list both—if you are not willing to accept a bid from one of the two chapters, do not list it.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it is a helpful guide to help Potential New Members understand many of the factors involved in the process.