You went through recruitment. Then, you decided to drop out of recruitment. You can drop out at any time. All you have to do is talk to your recruitment counselor and fill out some paperwork.
If you drop out of recruitment before Bid Day, you can:
Going through COB → highly recommended! COB is offered in the Fall and Spring
Join the new Panhellenic sorority (if your college offers it)
Join a non-Panhellenic sorority
Get involved in other ways
It is important to note that not all sororities participate in COB.
Do you need help getting your name out there and standing out during COB?
This ebook is based on a proven process to get invited to sororities you like and stand out during COB.
What is COB?
COB stands for continuous open bidding. This process starts 72 hours after formal sorority recruitment. If sororities do not reach quota and, or are under chapter total, they can extend bids to potential new members who either:
Dropped out of recruitment
Got dropped from all of the sororities
Did not go through sorority recruitment
It is important to note that not all sororities participate in COB. Do not bet on this option to join a particular sorority.
What is a quota?
Panhellenic requires each sorority to extend a certain number of bids to potential new members. This number is the quota.
The quota is determined by the number of potential new members who sign the MRABA and voted after Pref divided by the number of sororities on campus. For example, if 1,000 potential new members sign the MRABA and there are 10 sororities on campus. Each sorority has to take a minimum of 100 new members.
What is the chapter total?
Every sorority on campus has to maintain a certain number of members. If they fall below this number, they have the opportunity to give bids out to women.
A sorority can meet the quota but still be under the chapter total.
How does COB work?
Usually, there is an interest form you need to fill out. If your college does not have an interest form for COB, email your Greek Life Office.
Once the sorority decides to go through COB, the recruitment team looks at the interest form and the names that the Greek Life Office gave them. If a sorority thinks you are a good candidate, they invite you to an event.
After the event, if the sorority thinks you are a good fit, the sorority will give you a bid. You decide if you want to accept the bid or not. Usually, you have 24 hours to accept your bid.
Is COB the same as informal recruitment?
Yes!
How long does cob last?
If your college has formal recruitment during the fall semester: COB can technically last until the last academic calendar day of the spring semester. However, most sororities, move very fast. For most, COB will last about two weeks after Bid Day.
When does a sorority stop participating in COB?
A sorority stops participating in COB once they have met quota and, or chapter total. If a sorority is participating in COB, they can only give bids to a certain number of women. Sometimes a sorority may have 1 bid to give out. Other times they might be able to give out 10 bids.
What if I received a bid and dropped before I was initiated, Can I participate in COB?
NO. If you receive a bid from a sorority, you cannot participate in any type of sorority recruitment until the next FORMAL recruitment. The rules are outlined in the MRABA. You signed this agreement during sorority recruitment.
How much does COB cost?
It is free to sign up for COB. It is free to participate in COB.
Some schools may require you to pay a small fee once you accept a bid.
Do you have to accept the bid DURING COB?
NO. If you do not feel like the sorority is a good fit for you, you do NOT have to accept the bid.
If you do accept the bid, you are required to sign a similar agreement to MRABA (you sign the MRABA after Pref). This agreement says you cannot participate in ANY type of Panhellenic sorority recruitment until the next formal recruitment.
If you are on the fence about accepting the bid, you should have 24 hours to decide. After 24 hours, your bid becomes void.
Do you need REC letters?
No.
What to wear?
COB is much more casual than formal recruitment. Most girls wear jeans and a cute shirt or a simple dress. Think like a first date.
You do not want to wear an oversized t-shirt, sweatpants, and running shoes.
Is everyone guaranteed a bid?
Sadly, no.
Good luck with sorority recruitment! I am rooting for you!
Sloan
You have a math test in two weeks that is worth 90% of your grade for the class. You want to get an A. You are looking for guidance on how to get your A.
First, you ask a friend, not in your math class, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She says, “You need to study.” This answer leaves you frustrated.
Then, you ask your teacher, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She gives you a step-by-step plan.
Who was more helpful?
Your teacher, right?
To get an A, you need to know the right information and have a step-by-step plan.
To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit for the sorority before and during sorority recruitment. A step-by-step plan tells you how and when to communicate.
BUT… why do so many women going through sorority recruitment ONLY use the advice they find on Youtube and TikTok? Does it help them stand out and get a bid?
Click the video below to see how The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment can help you create and implement your plan.
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