According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, some parents are paying up to $4,000 to get their daughters into sororities.
Sorority Consultants Coach Aspiring Members
The Wall Street Journal spoke to sorority consultants – individuals you can hire to help get your kid into a sorority. These consultants not only coach aspiring members on what to wear and how to behave – they also coach them on how to manage and maintain their social media presence.
They Come at a Price
Stacia Damron, the founder of the sorority consulting company Hiking in Heels, said her fees can go up to $4,000 during peak recruitment periods. According to the company’s website, a “premium package” costs $1,495 and an “elite membership” costs $2,975. These rates might not be accurate; the website hasn’t been updated for 2023.
Recruitment Starts in the Fall
Sorority recruitment, also known as a sorority rush, most commonly begins in the fall. Damron went on to say that, thanks to a combination of COVID-19 and TikTok, the demand for assistance in preparing for sorority recruitment has increased dramatically since 2019.
There Are Two Reasons for the Increase in Demand
Damron discussed the reasons for the rapid rise in demand. The first, she said, is the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to a lack of in-person interaction, sororities added extra steps to their recruitment processes – like recorded video assignments and essay questions. The second reason, according to Damron, is TikTok; parents and daughters are learning more about the recruitment process and how difficult it is.
Even With a Consultant, Nothing Is Guaranteed
Despite how expensive they are, sorority consultants can’t guarantee young women anything. Damron said: “Much like an SAT prep class can’t guarantee a perfect score, there’s no recruitment coach that’s truthfully able to guarantee or promise a bid. The decision, ultimately, remains with the sororities.”
And the Statistics Back Her Up
The statistics back Damron up. The chief executive of the National Panhellenic Conference, Dani Weatherford, said that 20% to 25% of last year’s sorority applications were rejected or withdrawn. This was out of a total of 125,000 applicants.
There Are Pricier Services Out There
Though the costs of a sorority consultant are high, they’re nothing compared to what some people pay to get their children into the best universities. Allen Koh, who runs an educational consulting firm, said he charges up to $350,000 for his most intensive consulting package.
Commenters Weren’t Surprised
Many online commenters weren’t surprised to learn of the phenomenon. “In the age of social media ‘influencers’, this should come as no surprise. Most of these young women are looking at the long-term benefits,” one individual wrote. “I have several relatives in sororities. I’ve seen no long-term benefits,” another replied.
Others Were Confused
Some online commenters questioned why young women would want to join a sorority in the first place, let alone why their parents would be willing to pay so much money to get them into one. One person wrote: “Are they going to college to be educated or to hang out with the snooty people?”
Others Expressed Their Distaste
Others expressed their distaste for sororities and fraternities. “I didn’t want to be in a sorority when I was in college because I already had friends and a personality,” one person said. “Good on you, but many are banking on those connections. Can be good, can be ugly,” another replied.
Some Told Stories of Regret
Some online commenters told regretful stories of their time in sororities. One individual wrote: “I was pressured to join a sorority in the mid-70s and have always regretted it. My grades dropped drastically because of all the mandatory meetings and mixers. When I finally couldn’t afford it anymore, those ‘sisters’ turned on me like rabid dogs. If I could do those days over I would have studied, stayed with the friends I had, and just concentrated on school.”
Some Defended Sororities
Despite the negativity, a fair few people defended sororities and fraternities. Some shared meaningful stories, some talked about the benefits they received from the experience, and some explained how sororities can be helpful. In response to someone expressing that they don’t understand why anyone would want to join one, an individual said: “Because they understand that it’s about who you know, not what you know.”
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