CPA Formal Recruitment is one of the most unique experiences you will have in college - there just isn't anything like it! That said - you probably have some questions!
Hopefully, these FAQs will clear up any misconceptions you may have, alleviate some of those nervous feelings, and generally get you ready to participate in CPA's formal recruitment process!
Hopefully, these FAQs will clear up any misconceptions you may have, alleviate some of those nervous feelings, and generally get you ready to participate in CPA's formal recruitment process!
How ready are you to join a sorority?
Only you can ultimately answer this question, but there are several questions you can ask yourself and reflect on before you make your decision!
Explore more on The Sorority Life website hosted by the National Panhellenic Conference.
Cost...What are the financial obligations?
Joining a sorority is not like joining any other student organization at SDSU. Once you join a sorority, you are a member of the organization for life! Average costs will vary by chapter and will be covered in detail during the formal recruitment process by each chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the figures above are estimates and are not indicative of all each chapter costs. Costs are also subject to change at the chapter's discretion.
Eligibility...What are the requirements to join?
SDSU requires all prospective sorority/fraternity members to meet the following minimum standards before even being offered an invitation to join a chapter at SDSU.
Rho Gammas...Do I go through this process alone?
At CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation, you will be assigned a group with about 30 other prospective members hoping to join a CPA chapter at SDSU. The group may be made up of women from your residence hall, someone you know from class, a sophomore or junior, or possibly a group of all strangers! Hopefully, regardless of who is in your group, you've approached the recruitment process with an open mind and desire to meet new people and make new friends!
On the first day of recruitment, you will stay with your assigned group the whole day. Each group will be lead by a few Recruitment Guides (also called "Rho Gammas"). These women are active sorority members who are disassociated from their respective chapter so they can guide you through your recruitment experience with the most unbiased and objective attitude.
The Rho Gamma women go through intense training in counseling and interview techniques. They are your No. 1 source for all recruitment related questions! They bring, not only, a true passion for their own personal sorority experience but also a genuine desire to help you find the best fit for you!
For more information about Rho Gammas, visit the Recruitment Guide webpage.
Absences...What if I have to miss a recruitment event?
The structure of recruitment allows for a large number of women to meet each other in a very short period of time, but there are always prospective members who have class, work, a wedding, etc. at some point during scheduled events.
Do NOT worry - simply make sure you let your Recruitment Guide (Rho Gamma) know and she will direct you to a form to fill out which will let the chapters know you have a conflict during an event and will not be able to attend.
Excused absences are only granted for: illness, family emergencies, class, and religious observances. This is contingent upon completing the form provided by your Recruitment Guide (Rho Gamma) at CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to: work, a wedding, lack of desire to attend, etc. Unexcused absences are not allowed and may result in your release from the entire recruitment process.
Each day, you are expected to attend every event you are invited to, and we strongly recommend you make arrangements to be able to attend as many events as possible. Note: All prospective new members going through CPA Formal Recruitment process are required to attend class. The CPA community prioritizes academic success. Failure to attend your scheduled classes may result in your release from the entire recruitment process.
Letters of Rec...Do I need any?
At San Diego State University, letters of recommendation are not necessary in order to participate in Formal Recruitment. Chapters may receive letters of recommendation from alumnae members, but the University does not facilitate a process to make sure all prospective members have a letter of recommendation.
If someone is offering to write you a letter of recommendation, please direct them to address the letter to the chapter. It may be sent directly to the chapter facility (if applicable) or sent to:
Student Life and Leadership
Attention: CHAPTER NAME (i.e. Delta Delta Delta Sorority)
Aztec Student Union, 210
San Diego, CA 92182
Department Mail Code: 7440
Please note, if you are sending in a letter of recommendation, all letters must be received by the chapters or the Student Life & Leadership Office before CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation (August 31, 2018).
Bottom-line: Do NOT worry if you don't have a letter of recommendation sent - this should not affect your chances of joining a chapter at SDSU.
MRABA...What does it mean?
Please carefully consider the following points before you complete a MRABA (Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement).
Your options when considering your agreement are:
When you sign the binding agreement, you are agreeing to accept an invitation to membership from any NPC fraternity/sorority that you have listed.
Once the acceptance agreement has been turned in to the representative of the College Panhellenic Association, it cannot be altered or changed.
If you receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any NPC group that you listed and do not accept it, you will be ineligible to be pledged by any other NPC women's fraternity/sorority on the campus until the beginning of the next formal recruitment period.
If you do not receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any NPC group you have listed, you will be eligible for continuous open recruitment/bidding (COR/COB) if/when space allows. You must understand that not all NPC groups will have available spaces for new members for the academic year.
Only you can ultimately answer this question, but there are several questions you can ask yourself and reflect on before you make your decision!
- Am I willing and able to be held to high academic standards of achievement?
- Do I willingly volunteer to participate in a wide variety of activities?
- Am I feeling pressure to join from someone else?
- How much time do I currently spend volunteering and/or putting forth efforts to fundraise?
- Am I good at bringing people together and helping to coordinate events?
- Do I have the financial means to commit to membership dues?
- How do I feel about meeting new people and building relationships?
- Am I able to add an additional activity to my schedule?
- Am I comfortable with learning all I need to know through my classes or am I seeking more from my college experience?
- Do I have any difficulty holding my peers accountable?
Explore more on The Sorority Life website hosted by the National Panhellenic Conference.
Cost...What are the financial obligations?
Joining a sorority is not like joining any other student organization at SDSU. Once you join a sorority, you are a member of the organization for life! Average costs will vary by chapter and will be covered in detail during the formal recruitment process by each chapter.
- If you decide to participate in formal recruitment, there is a non-refundable fee - the cost depends on time of registration.
- If you are extended a bid (invitation to join) a chapter and you accept, there are additional, one-time fees which chapters expect to be paid within a short time after accepting your bid - they will advise you on amount and method of payment.
- If you are initiated into the chapter after you complete the new member education process, there are additional, one-time fees which chapters expect to be paid within a short time either before or after initiation ceremonies - again, they will advise you on amount and method of payment.
- SDSU Residence Hall: $4,250/semester (includes room and board)
- CPA Chapter Live-in Dues: $3,000/semester (includes room and board)
- CPA Chapter Live-out Dues: $750/semester
- One-time fees: $450.00 (1st semester of membership)
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the figures above are estimates and are not indicative of all each chapter costs. Costs are also subject to change at the chapter's discretion.
Eligibility...What are the requirements to join?
SDSU requires all prospective sorority/fraternity members to meet the following minimum standards before even being offered an invitation to join a chapter at SDSU.
- Be enrolled in at least 3 credits at SDSU
- Be in good standing with the University
- NOT be Extended Studies student
- NOT be American Language Institute student
- NOT be Open University student
- Participate in Formal Recruitment or C.O.B.
Rho Gammas...Do I go through this process alone?
At CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation, you will be assigned a group with about 30 other prospective members hoping to join a CPA chapter at SDSU. The group may be made up of women from your residence hall, someone you know from class, a sophomore or junior, or possibly a group of all strangers! Hopefully, regardless of who is in your group, you've approached the recruitment process with an open mind and desire to meet new people and make new friends!
On the first day of recruitment, you will stay with your assigned group the whole day. Each group will be lead by a few Recruitment Guides (also called "Rho Gammas"). These women are active sorority members who are disassociated from their respective chapter so they can guide you through your recruitment experience with the most unbiased and objective attitude.
The Rho Gamma women go through intense training in counseling and interview techniques. They are your No. 1 source for all recruitment related questions! They bring, not only, a true passion for their own personal sorority experience but also a genuine desire to help you find the best fit for you!
For more information about Rho Gammas, visit the Recruitment Guide webpage.
Absences...What if I have to miss a recruitment event?
The structure of recruitment allows for a large number of women to meet each other in a very short period of time, but there are always prospective members who have class, work, a wedding, etc. at some point during scheduled events.
Do NOT worry - simply make sure you let your Recruitment Guide (Rho Gamma) know and she will direct you to a form to fill out which will let the chapters know you have a conflict during an event and will not be able to attend.
Excused absences are only granted for: illness, family emergencies, class, and religious observances. This is contingent upon completing the form provided by your Recruitment Guide (Rho Gamma) at CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to: work, a wedding, lack of desire to attend, etc. Unexcused absences are not allowed and may result in your release from the entire recruitment process.
Each day, you are expected to attend every event you are invited to, and we strongly recommend you make arrangements to be able to attend as many events as possible. Note: All prospective new members going through CPA Formal Recruitment process are required to attend class. The CPA community prioritizes academic success. Failure to attend your scheduled classes may result in your release from the entire recruitment process.
Letters of Rec...Do I need any?
At San Diego State University, letters of recommendation are not necessary in order to participate in Formal Recruitment. Chapters may receive letters of recommendation from alumnae members, but the University does not facilitate a process to make sure all prospective members have a letter of recommendation.
If someone is offering to write you a letter of recommendation, please direct them to address the letter to the chapter. It may be sent directly to the chapter facility (if applicable) or sent to:
Student Life and Leadership
Attention: CHAPTER NAME (i.e. Delta Delta Delta Sorority)
Aztec Student Union, 210
San Diego, CA 92182
Department Mail Code: 7440
Please note, if you are sending in a letter of recommendation, all letters must be received by the chapters or the Student Life & Leadership Office before CPA Formal Recruitment Orientation (August 31, 2018).
Bottom-line: Do NOT worry if you don't have a letter of recommendation sent - this should not affect your chances of joining a chapter at SDSU.
MRABA...What does it mean?
Please carefully consider the following points before you complete a MRABA (Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement).
Your options when considering your agreement are:
- You may choose not to complete an agreement at the time
- You may choose to list any women's fraternity/sorority whose preference (last) event you attended and from which you are willing to accept an invitation to membership (a bid).
- You may choose to limit your choices to just one or list any women's fraternity/sorority whose preference round event you attended and are willing to accept membership. Please note that by not listing the maximum number of events you attended you may be limiting your potential to join any other NPC group during this recruitment should you not be placed with your choice(s).
When you sign the binding agreement, you are agreeing to accept an invitation to membership from any NPC fraternity/sorority that you have listed.
Once the acceptance agreement has been turned in to the representative of the College Panhellenic Association, it cannot be altered or changed.
If you receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any NPC group that you listed and do not accept it, you will be ineligible to be pledged by any other NPC women's fraternity/sorority on the campus until the beginning of the next formal recruitment period.
If you do not receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any NPC group you have listed, you will be eligible for continuous open recruitment/bidding (COR/COB) if/when space allows. You must understand that not all NPC groups will have available spaces for new members for the academic year.
Still have questions? Please email to our CPA Vice President of Membership!