What to Expect During Sorority Initiation

Recruitment Week, check.

Pledged a sorority, check.

Experienced Big/Little Week check, check, check.

Attended at least one mixer, check.

Possess enough sorority t-shirts to last a lifetime, check.

Initiated into your sorority, um nope.

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Oh, initiation.

This is the last big step to officially becoming a part of your sorority for the rest of your life. Sounds pretty intimidating.

The word initiation means to admit someone into a secret society or organization through some form of ritual(s). Initiation is crucial to show the dedication you have for your sorority. Once you are initiated, you can never rush another sorority again (like you’d ever want to!). In a way, initiation is like marriage; a bond that is not to be broken.

While some of your sorority sisters (and maybe you) may think initiation is weird and cult-like, just remember that it is a once in a life-time event that exemplifies your loyalty to your sorority and your sisters’ loyalty to you.

Every sorority does initiation differently, but each is equally sacred to the sorority and has a been part of that sorority since the very beginning. Initiation is a time where you learn about your sorority’s deepest secrets and history, as well as vow to keep them secret.

Related reading: My Sorority Experience: What It’s Really Like to Be in a Sorority (Good and Bad)

5 Things to Know Before, During and After Initiation

1. Initiation takes place over the course of a week.

During initiation week, the older pledge classes will have sisterhood events for the new member class to help you understand the history of your sorority while meeting new sisters. Typically, the New Member Educator will lead you through these events and answer all questions that you have.