What to do if you don't get a bid

What to do if you don't get a bid

Not receiving a bid on bid day can feel devastating, but it is not the end of your sorority journey. Many potential new members (PNMs) who do not get a bid during formal recruitment still find a home in a chapter through other pathways. The key is to act quickly, stay informed, and keep an open mind.

Step 1: Allow yourself to process the emotions

It is normal to feel hurt, disappointed, or even angry. Give yourself permission to feel those emotions. Call a trusted friend, family member, or your Gamma Chi. Cry if you need to. Once you have let the initial feelings out, you can shift your focus to the next steps.

Step 2: Understand continuous open bidding (COB)

Continuous open bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process that sororities use to recruit new members outside of formal recruitment. COB typically begins 72 hours after formal recruitment ends, according to Getting the Bid. Not all sororities participate in COB, but those that are under chapter total or did not reach quota may extend bids to women who dropped out of recruitment, were released, or did not go through formal recruitment at all.

COB is much more casual than formal recruitment. There are no silence rules, no long days of parties, and no structured invitation system. Instead, chapters may invite you to small events like coffee, dinner, or a board game night to get to know you better. If a chapter decides you are a good fit, they can offer you a bid directly.

Step 3: Take action to pursue COB

Here is a checklist of actionable steps:

• Fill out a COB interest form if your campus offers one. Many universities, such as the University of Alabama and Texas Panhellenic, provide an online form to signal your interest.
• Contact your Greek Life office to ask which chapters are participating in COB and how to get involved.
• Update your social media and resume to reflect your current involvement and interests. Chapters may look at your online presence when considering you for a bid.
• Attend any COB events you are invited to with an open mind. You may discover a chapter you had not considered before.
• Network with current members you already know. Let them know you are still interested in joining a sorority.

Step 4: Consider other options

If COB does not work out or is not available on your campus, you still have alternatives:

• Join a non-Panhellenic sorority such as a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), or local sorority. These organizations often have different recruitment timelines and processes.
• Get involved in other campus organizations to build your network and leadership skills. You can always try formal recruitment again next year.
• Take a gap semester or year to focus on your academics, extracurriculars, and personal growth. Reapplying later with a stronger resume can improve your chances.

Step 5: Learn from the experience

Reflect on what you might do differently next time. Did you limit your options by only ranking a few chapters? Did you attend every party you were invited to? According to advice from Maggie DeCan, filling your schedule with as many chapters as possible each round nearly guarantees you will receive a bid, based on how quotas work. Keep that in mind if you decide to go through recruitment again.

Quiz: Test your knowledge

Question: When does continuous open bidding (COB) typically begin after formal recruitment?

• A. Immediately after bid day ends
• B. 72 hours after formal recruitment ends
• C. One week after formal recruitment ends

Correct answer: B. 72 hours after formal recruitment ends (source: Getting the Bid)

How the Featured Expert Can Help

If you are feeling uncertain about your next steps or want personalized guidance to navigate COB or prepare for future recruitment, consider working with a dedicated coach. Sorority Rush Consulting for Confident Recruitment offers one-on-one coaching, resume reviews, and mock interviews tailored to your specific situation. Their boutique approach focuses on building your confidence and helping you present your best self throughout the process.