Frequently Asked Questions

During recruitment you will have the opportunity to meet women from each of the sorority chapters. It is a fun-filled, exciting and very busy week! We have all experienced recruitment first-hand and understand that it can sometimes be intimidating to meet so many people in a short period of time. Though nerves are sometimes high – both for potential new members and for sisters – just remember that our shared goal is to make new friendships and lasting connections. As Alpha Phi's, we hope to show you what makes our chapter feel like home.

How do I become an Alpha Phi?

Alpha Phi is the top sorority at George Mason and it’s only natural that you’d want to find out why. The first step to joining any sorority is to sign up for recruitment through the Office of Student Activities (http://sa.gmu.edu/greeks_phc.html). Formal recruitment is held in September and is your best opportunity to explore everything that Greek Life has to offer at George Mason. 

Should I go through fall recruitment?

While there are sometimes opportunities to join Alpha Phi through spring recruitment, we highly recommend signing up for fall recruitment. We know first-hand that your first weeks as a freshman are overwhelming and signing up for fall recruitment might seem intimidating. Fall recruitment guarantees you the opportunity to meet every chapter, not to mention being a great way to jump-start your social network on campus. You'll share the experience with other young women and have the guidance of a neutral sorority woman (called a "Rho Gamma") to guide you through the process.

I heard Alpha Phi is the largest sorority at George Mason and might not have "room" for many new members - is this true?

Absolutely not! During formal recruitment, every sorority is able to take the same amount of new members. Alpha Phi is the largest sorority at George Mason - but you should look at that as a sign of our success as a sisterhood and as an opportunity to make even more friendships.

How much time does being in a sorority take up on a weekly basis?

As Alpha Phi's, we feel that the more time you put into your experience, the more you will get out of it! A normal week as an Alpha Phi consists of a Sunday chapter meeting and the option for other activities including study groups, mixers and campus activities. Certain events, like ritual and formal recruitment week, require the full chapter's participation, but you will find that you will want to fill your time with these other optional activities. If you need help studying for an exam, you will sign up for a study group. If you miss playing athletics in high school, you will sign up for intramural sports. These decisions are up to you though and you can rest assured that Alpha Phi is the only sorority on campus that does not "assess" - meaning making sisters pay for events that they are unable to attend.

I heard joining a sorority is just paying for your friends - is this true?

Not at all! Our dues go towards programming and activities that enrich the lives of our sisters. Dues allow us to host a variety of social events and philanthropic activities throughout the year - consider it a one-time "admission ticket" for an entire semester of your social calendar. And best of all, Alpha Phi is affordable and the least expensive dues of all of the sororities at George Mason.

Does Alpha Phi have Greek housing on campus?

Yes! Alpha Phi is please to be one of the only sororities on campus to have Greek housing. Our chapter occupies one full floor of a residential hall on campus - it's our own little space to decorate and make our own. A group of sisters live together on the floor and have the opportunity to hang out in our own stylist and comfortable "digs." Each year, sisters have the opportunity to live on the floor and experience this close bond of sisterhood.

Sororities sometimes get a bad "rep" in the media - do you haze?

Alpha Phi is a NON-hazing sorority and we take the safety and welfare of our sisters SERIOUSLY. We do not tolerate hazing and fully support anti-hazing policies dictated by both George Mason University and Alpha Phi International. Alpha Phi's new member period is a fun, safe and memorable experience for both new members and sisters and it is time dedicated to forming the foundation for a strong and lasting Alpha Phi experience.

What is your new member period like?

Alpha Phi's new member period is a six-week period that starts the day a new member receives her bid card and culminates with Initiation - a beautiful opportunity for Alpha Phi to officially welcome you into the chapter with the ceremony carried our just as it was by our Founders in 1872. During the new member period, you'll get a "big sister" and "aunt" as well as attend a weekly new member meeting to learn about the history of Alpha Phi. Sisters will be watching out for you every step of the way to make sure your transition into the sisterhood is comfortable, happy and fun!

I want to learn more - why can't I talk to a sister specifically about Alpha Phi?

Prior to fall recruitment, each sorority at George Mason agrees to abide by "normal friendly contact." Normal friendly contact begins in the summer and leads up to fall recruitment and ensures that potential new members are not overwhelmed by sorority members approaching them about their individual chapters. Fall recruitment is an excellent opportunity to meet every chapter and learn first-hand about their ideals and sisterhood. So...unfortunately... if a sister of Alpha Phi is brief in her conversation with you or directs you to speak to the Office of Student Activities or a "Rho Gamma" about recruitment, it is only because we are abiding by the rules of normal friendly contact. We DO want to meet you and look forward to showing you what makes Alpha Phi so special during fall recruitment!