How to Join

We are the vanguard, the forward-thinking leaders of the fraternity and sorority community at Penn, and we're here to reinvent the meaning of Greek. Whether you are looking for the next steps or new beginnings, our standards of integrity, inclusion, respect, and service will be a foundation to build on and a compass to guide you. Lifelong relationships start here, in a world-class community driven to make an impact.

It starts somewhere.
It starts with you.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for membership, a candidate must:

  1. Be a full-time enrolled undergraduate student in good standing with the University of Pennsylvania.

  2. Have at least 4.0 course units completed on their University of Pennsylvania transcript.

  3. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.

  4. Must register on Campus Director or complete Aspirant Grade Verification Form within respective timelines.

Please note that individual chapters may impose additional academic requirements to the University standards listed above.
Course credits and academic eligibility vary across undergraduate schools. If you are considering in participating in recruitment, we encourage you to speak with your academic advisor.

Organizations to Join

FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES AT PENN

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COUNCILS
Igc, ifc, phc

2023 Council Presidents

Sasha Capers, IGC

William Locke, IFC

Rylee Saunders Jackson, PHC

Intercultural Greek Council (IGC)

Membership in IGC organizations is open to all, and the Intake/Recruitment process will vary from chapter to chapter on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Each chapter coordinates their own process that is not regulated by the IGC. Both the frequency and timing of the process are at the discretion of each organization. IGC chapters embrace a lifetime commitment and focus on academic achievement, cultural competence, and community service.

IGC conducts recruitment/intake processes which may include interest meetings and/or chapter-specific events where candidates (also known as “aspirants”) can learn about the organization. Some chapters work closely with a Graduate Chapter, comprised of members who were initiated after having graduated college, and/or their inter/national headquarters to receive permission to conduct a recruitment/intake process. All second-semester freshmen, as well as sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to participate in the recruitment/intake if they meet the eligibility requirements.

If you would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please work with Weingarten Center. Then contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life if you would like to request access to an event by emailing vpul-ofsl@pobox.upenn.edu.
 
If you have questions about a specific chapter’s recruitment/intake process, please contact the IGC advisor, Janáe Tucker, for more information.

Council-wide Annual Brunch

Prior the start of the academic year, council members come together to enjoy brunch and connect with one another.

Additionally, campus partners join us to engage and discuss how our Chapters can work with them throughout the year. This event contributes to the unity within our council and fosters collaboration across campus.

Meet the Greeks

At the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, this informal evening event is held to allow non-affiliated students to learn more about the different chapters in the IGC through tabling.

This event showcases Greek life through performances that you don't want to miss! Don't know what stepping and strolling are? Stop by to find out!

Greek 101 Panel

Once a semester, this informal panel is hosted to allow non-affiliated students to learn more about culturally based Greek organizations at Penn, the different chapters in the IGC and directly ask questions to members of our council's organizations.

This event is a great introduction to Greek life and a way to learn about all of the organizations that make up our council!

Penn Relays Triple 'S' Show

The University of Pennsylvania Intercultural Greek Council Presents: The 2023 Penn Relays Triple ‘S’ Show! Through stepping, strolling, and saluting, our Greek organizations will portray this year's theme: Battle of the Decades. Join us on April 29th at 7:00 pm in Irvine Auditorium for a celebration of history and culture! Get your tickets now at the ticket link in our bio. You don’t want to miss this!

Purchase your ticket now via https://penn.crowdchange.co/31038 or click the date below!

Pre-Kente Ceremony

At the end of each academic year, graduating members of the council come together to celebrate their accomplishments alongside their Chapter and loved ones.

This celebration originated in the early 1990s at West Chester University when professors recognized the need to acknowledge the historical and personal challenges Black students face while obtaining college degree.

The annual pre-commencement ceremony honors our council members with the donning of a stoles made of Kente cloth in their organization's colors.

The University of Pennsylvania Intercultural Greek Council (formerly known as the Multicultural Greek Council, or MGC, is comprised of 4 culturally-based fraternities and 7 culturally-based sororities from three national associations:

  • National Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Panhellenic Association (NAPA): A national association of 18 fraternities and sororities within the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community. Penn’s campus is home to chapters of 2 NAPA organizations.
  • National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO): A national association of 16 Latino fraternities and Latina sororities. Penn’s campus is home to chapters of 2 NALFO organizations, as well as Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. which is a nationally-recognized sorority, but is not a member of NALFO.
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): A national council comprised of 9 historically African-American international fraternities and sororities. Penn’s campus is home to chapters of 6 NPHC organizations

Click here for the IGC 2022 Triple S Show Promo Video 

Total number of chapters: 11
Total council membership: ~175 students
Average chapter size: ~13 members
Fall 2021 highest chapter GPA: Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
Spring 2022 highest chapter GPA: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

IGC General Inquiries (including Step Show):  upennigc@gmail.com / president.upennigc@gmail.com

Social Media: Instagram – @upennigc

IGC Chapters at Penn

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

There are two major periods in which IFC recruits new members to its 26 organizations (24 men’s and 2 co-ed groups): Informal Recruitment in the Fall semester and Formal Recruitment in the Spring semester. It’s important to note that Informal Recruitment is only for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, which Formal Recruitment is also open to freshmen.

However, only students that meet the eligibility requirements are able to join in the fall. Students must have at least a 2.50 GPA and have 4 completed course units. Individual chapter requirements may apply

Registration is live for Spring 2023 IFC Recruitment!

The recruitment process begins by signing up on Campus Director, in which prospective students fill out an e-application that helps OFSL determine eligibility for joining.

After registering, if you would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please work with Weingarten Center. Then contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life if you would like to request access to an event by emailing vpul-ofsl@pobox.upenn.edu.

New Member Education Process

Bid Day also marks the beginning of the New Member Education Process, which by University policy is a maximum of 6 weeks (though most IFC chapters will have a 4 week or a shorter process). All chapters must initiate their new members before Thanksgiving Break (for fall recruitment) or Spring Break (for spring recruitment.) The New Member Education Process is structured like a class, with a mixture of brotherhood-building activities and meetings to learn about the chapter’s history, traditions, and values. Once the New Member Education Process concludes, a student officially becomes a lifetime member of an IFC organization at Penn!

IFC New Member Education Programming

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) has a list of program topics that are required to be covered in New Member Education for all IFC chapters. IFC partners with campus resources such as Penn Violence Prevention, Penn Wellness, and Penn LGBT Center to bring presentations to the chapters new members. Some are done within each chapter while others are done together in groups of IFC chapters. All new members are required to attend these sessions and chapters have minimum expectations for attendance set by the IFC.

The University of Pennsylvania Interfraternity Council is comprised of 22 organizations (21 men’s fraternities and 1 gender inclusive fraternities.

  • The vast majority of these groups belong to the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), which comprises national or international collegiate men’s fraternities.

Click here for IFC Council Panel Video

Total number of chapters: 22
Total council membership: ~1,000 students
Average chapter size: ~40 members
Fall 2021 highest chapter GPA: Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Spring 2022 highest chapter GPA: Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity

IFC General Inquiries: Jessica Ryan, IFC Advisor, jesryan@upenn.edu
Recruitment Inquiries: pennifcrecruitment@gmail.com
Website: www.upennifc.org
Social Media: Instagram

IFC Chapters at Penn

Panhellenic Council (PHC)

Panhellenic Primary Recruitment is the formal process through which potential new members (PNMs) consider sororities, while sororities choose new sisters. The Primary Recruitment period is comprised of multiple rounds where potential new members visit each of the 7 chapters on Penn’s campus. Through a process of mutual selection, students narrow their choices until they are matched to a sorority following the last round.

There are two major periods in which PHC recruits new members to its sororities: Fall Continuous Open Bidding (COB) in the Fall semester and Spring Primary Recruitment in the Spring semester. All second-semester freshmen, as well as sophomores, juniors, and seniors, are eligible to participate in primary recruitment if they meet the eligibility requirements. Fall COB is only open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Penn Panhellenic is dedicated to ensuring that everyone who identifies as a woman is given the full opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of sorority life, regardless of her race, religion, background, socioeconomic status, disability, or sexual orientation.

Panhellenic welcomes students with disabilities and we are committed to providing the same exceptional opportunities to all students. If you would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please work with Weingarten Center. Then, contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life if you would like to request access to a Panhellenic event by emailing jesryan@upenn.edu.

Convocation

This event marks the start of Primary Recruitment. Participants will be able to meet their Recruitment Guide (also known as a “Rho Gamma”) and learn about the details of recruitment during an orientation presentation from the Panhellenic Recruitment Team. This is required for all PNMs and will take place through a Zoom meeting and the Canvas Platform.

Open House Round

PNM’s will virtually visit each of the 7 Panhellenic chapters on Zoom with their Rho Gamma group. The open house rounds are an opportunity to meet all of the chapters. On this round, the chapter will want to get to know you, and hopefully, you will get to know them and get a feel for the chapter. This event goes the full day. You will meet with your Rho Gamma Group and at the end to enter your preferences for the next round of recruitment.

Sisterhood Round

During the Sisterhood Round, PNMs will visit (IN-PERSON at Chapter Houses) the chapters they’ve been matched with to learn more about the chapters’ traditions and values. Prospective women will have the chance to meet more of the members and watch sisterhood videos. This event goes full day. You will meet with your Rho Gamma in person and on Zoom at the beginning to view schedule and at the end to enter your preferences for the next round of recruitment.

Philanthropy Round

Thursday is the First Day of Classes, but check with your academic schedule the class day may be adjusted for the short week. During the Philanthropy Round, PNMs will visit (IN-PERSON at Chapter Houses) the chapters they’ve been matched with to learn about their philanthropy and service activities. This event starts early evening/late afternoon and goes until night. You will meet with your Rho Gamma in-person and on Zoom at the beginning (Thur.) to view your schedule, you should check in and out both Thur. and Fri. with your Rho Gamma, and at the end of your final Philanthropy Round event to enter your preferences for the next round of recruitment.

Preference Round

The Preference Round is a beautiful ceremonial experience. PNMs will visit (IN-PERSON at Chapter Houses) the chapters they are matched with to talk with sisters and experience their unique ceremony. This event is starts late morning and goes until night. You will meet with your Rho Gamma in person and on Zoom at the beginning to view the schedule and at the end, you will connect with your Rho Gamma and then go to the main HQ zoom to complete your Membership Recruitment Binding Agreement which lists your preferences for Bid Day.

Bid Day

This day of celebration is when the official invitation (or “bid”) to join one of the Panhellenic organizations are given out. The bid will only be from one of the chapters you visited on the day prior (Preference Round.) This event starts late morning and goes into early evening with chapter events. After the official invitation is received in a virtual meeting with your Rho Gamma, New Members will join their Rho Gamma group in person at Franklin Field and run to their sorority as part of the Bid Day celebration. Following this New Members will join their sorority for a sisterhood event. Not all women who register for recruitment receive bids; however, PNMs who fully participate in recruitment by maximizing their options and participating in all events to which they are invited have a very high bid-matching rate at Penn.

New Member Education Process

New Member Education Process Bid Day also marks the start of the New Member Education Process, which by University policy is a maximum of 6 weeks (though some chapters will have a shorter process). This year we are excited to resume in person. The New Member Education Process is structured like a class: when you receive your schedule, you will see a mixture of sisterhood-building activities, ceremonies, and meetings to learn about the chapter’s history, traditions, and values. The New Member Education Process concludes with a ceremonial ritual called initiation. Following initiation, students are lifetime members of their Panhellenic organization! All organizations must initiate their new members before Thanksgiving Break (for Fall COB) or Spring Break (for Primary Recruitment.)

The University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council is comprised of 7 women’s fraternities* and sororities.
*It’s important to note that some Panhellenic organizations which use the name ‘fraternity’ are still women’s organizations. In many cases, this is because the term ‘sorority’ was not invented until 1874.

  • Each member organization of the Panhellenic Council at Penn is part of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which comprises 26 inter/national women’s fraternities and sororities.

Click here for PHC Council Panel Video

Total number of chapters: 7
Total council membership: ~1,400 students
Average chapter size: ~175 members
Fall 2021 highest chapter GPA: Sigma Delta Tau Sorority
Spring 2022 highest chapter GPA: Sigma Delta Tau Sorority

PHC General Inquiries: pennpanhellenic.vppr@gmail.com
Recruitment Inquiries: pennpanhellenic.avprecruitment@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pennpanhellenic.org/
Social Media: Instagram – @pennpanhellenic

PHC Chapters at Penn