If you’ve got TikTok and you’re thinking about participating in Greek life in college, you’ve probably seen more than a few videos detailing the elaborate process behind fraternity and sorority rush.

Over the past week, potential new members (PNMs) from many colleges have been taking their followers with them through the rush process. They are making “get ready with me,” “outfit of the day,” and “day in the life” videos so people can stay up to date on their recruitment journey.

The rush process is nearly as old as college itself: the first fraternity dates back to 1775 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. A group of male students created a secret society called Phi Beta Kappa. In 1851, women at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia founded the first sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, according to the organization’s website. Since then, there have been over 1500 fraternity chapters throughout the United States.

Some well know sororities are Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega, and Theta. Colleges have chapters of each sorority and fraternity, but each one is ranked differently at every school. Greek life is known to be more popular in southern and western schools compared to the northeast.

According to schoolathority.org, the best schools for Greek life are the university of Illinois, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Florida State University, University of Georgia, Tulane University and Southern Methodist University.

Depending on the school, freshmen rush during either the start of the fall or spring term. There are benefits to both rush periods; in the fall one can join a sorority or fraternity right away and make friends quickly. In the spring, a PNM would have had all fall to learn what fraternity or sorority would fit them best.

Kat Livingston, a 2022 Williston alum and sophomore at University of Mississippi is in Alpha Delta Pi; she joined a sorority to make friendships and join a community.

“My favorite part about being in a sorority is living in the house,” she said. “I miss living in a close-knit community like Williston, and being in a nice house with girls in my sorority reminds me of what I loved about Williston.”

There are four to five rush days themselves. The last day is called “Bid day.” The first few days consist of going to the sorority houses to meet the active members and learn about their philanthropies. Each chapter of Greek societies has a philanthropy it focuses on and raises money for. Popular philanthropic ventures include mental illnesses, climate change, learning disabilities, and other health-related issues.

Abby Gaudreau, a sophomore at Tulane in the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, told The Willistonian that joining a sorority has helped her get more involved with her philanthropy and prepare her the real world.

“Joining a sorority has gotten me so much more involved here at Tulane,” she said. “The last two semesters I have served as philanthropy chair for my sorority. This means I get to put on events around campus and raise money for KKG’s chosen cause, The National Alliance on Mental Illness.”

[Editor’s Note: Gaudreau is the author’s sister.]

“This leadership position,” she added, “has really equipped me on what it takes to organize and plan events, skills I can take with me into the real world and my future career.”

Towards the end of the rush week, PNMs rank the fraternities or sororities they want to be in, and they are ranked right back. On bid day a PNM finds out which house they are in through a letter opening ceremony. After PNMs find out, they run to the house and celebrate with the active members, all of which can be seen, of course, on TikTok and other social media.

Sadly, some people do not get chosen by their first choice, or any sorority. In this case, a student can rush again during the next round of recruitment or choose to drop out completely.  Many factors go into whether a sorority will accept PNMs, including their pledge class size and how well they think you will fit into the sorority.

Kat Livingston was denied by many sororities, but ultimately ended up in the one that fit her best.

“I was turned away from a handful of sororities right away because they only take girls from the South and I’m from the North, which I thought was a little unfair,” she said. “But each day it got easier and easier.”

TikTok has been a main source for Williston students to see the rush process in action. Many people’s feeds have been filled with videos of girls preparing for each day of recruitment.

Katya Krasnovskaya, a Williston senior, enjoys watching these videos to help her decide if she wants to join a sorority next year.

“It’s entertaining to watch what people have to do to become part of a sorority and see all their outfits,” Katya said.

Once a person joins a sorority they get to be involved in all of their events, and, in most cases, live in their houses. Members also must pay dues that range from $1,000 to $5,000 a semester.

Abby Gaudreau suggests students join a sorority because of the social and academic benefits.

“Through my sorority I get to go to date parties, have two meals at the house a week, a set study area, and so much more,” she said. “I would highly recommend joining a sorority in college!”