Recruitment Information
Whether you're a prospective member eager to join our vibrant community or a current student seeking more information, you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find everything you need to know about recruitment and answers to frequently asked questions.
Recruitment Process
Joining a fraternity is an exciting journey that offers countless opportunities for personal growth, friendship, and leadership development. The recruitment process at Ohio State's IFC is designed to be inclusive, transparent, and rewarding. Recruitment events usually take place during the second to third week of the spring and fall semesters. Dates below for IFC events are shown, but check with each chapter on when their events take place. Most chapters share information on their Instagram page or through tabling fairs hosted by the IFC.
Key Dates for Recruitment:
- New Member Registration Opens: TBD for fall 2024
- New Member Orientation Week: TBD for fall 2024
- Open Houses: TBD for fall 2024
Registration: To participate in fraternity recruitment, you must register using the SFL new member interest form. Filling out the new member interest form does not lock you into your decision to join a fraternity. Registration opens in advance of the recruitment period. Stay tuned for updates on registration opening dates and deadlines.
New Member Orientation Week: Attend information sessions to learn more about the fraternity community at Ohio State, the recruitment process, and what to expect as a potential new member.
Open Houses: Explore various fraternities during open houses to meet current members, learn about their values and activities, and find the fraternity that aligns with your interests and values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who can participate in fraternity recruitment?
A: Any student enrolled at The Ohio State University who meets the eligibility requirements can participate in fraternity recruitment.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for fraternity recruitment?
A: Eligibility requirements may vary slightly among fraternities, but generally, prospective members must be enrolled as full-time students at Ohio State, completed 12 credit hours and have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Earned credit hours through advanced placement credit and credit by examination do not count towards the 12 credit hours needed to be eligible for joining. Students transferring from other institutions will only have their previous institution’s grades considered for eligibility only if they are participating in recruitment during their first semester at Ohio State. If a transfer student is participating in recruitment and have grades from Ohio State, then those are the grades that will be used during recruitment. For eligibility, cumulative GPA will be based on the GPA information that is available in the Student Information System (SIS) through the Ohio State Registrar.
Q: What should I expect during fraternity recruitment?
A: Recruitment typically involves attending information sessions, open houses, and various events hosted by individual fraternities. It's an opportunity for you to get to know different chapters and for chapters to get to know you. Many fraternities will have interest forms typically found on their Instagram accounts or flyers. These are used to share information on events and provide a way to begin connecting with the fraternity. Events vary across each fraternity, but events are your way of connecting with active members and learning what the fraternity is about and its values. Your attendance at recruitment events also increases your likelihood of receiving a bid, a formal invite to join the fraternity. Many fraternities will have a deadline to accept after receiving a bid. Should you accept, the fraternity will report your acceptance to the IFC to be added to a chapter roster. After recruitment ends, you will begin the intake process to be initiated into a chapter.
Q: Can I join a fraternity at any time during the year?
A: While the primary recruitment period typically occurs at the beginning of each semester, some fraternities may offer opportunities for membership intake at other times during the year. Contact individual chapters for more information. We will also share information via the IFC Interactive Newsletter and IFC Instagram as information becomes available on which chapters will recruit continuously.
Q: What if I have questions or need assistance during recruitment?
A: If you have any questions or need assistance during recruitment, visit the SFL general FAQs section. For additional questions, don't hesitate to contact the IFC VP of Recruitment or IFC Advisor.