The Process at Cornell University
Cornell Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities have both formal and informal recruitment processes for potential new members (PNMs). Everyone is invited to rush. There is no cost to PNMs and there is no obligation to join at the end of the process.
Fall 2026 Schedule
- Tue–Wed, Sept 8–9: Open Houses
- Thu-Sat, Sept 10–12: Invite-Only Events
- Sun, Sept 13: Bid Dinners
- Mon, Sept 14: Bids Distributed
- Tue, Sept 15: Bid Signing Deadline
- Wed, Sept 16: New Member Education begins
Informal Recruitment
At different times of the year, the IFC may host information sessions, “Meet the Greeks” tables, or other casual events that allow PNMs to get a sense of the different chapters and where they might want to rush.
Fraternity members themselves are always thinking about who in their circles might benefit from a good fraternity experience. You may become friends in class or activities, and through them start to form an idea of the Greek system and where you might fit in. All PNMs, including first-semester freshmen, are generally permitted to visit fraternities and interact with members (for instance, to have dinner or watch sports), provided that no alcohol or other drugs are present, and that no verbal or other promises of membership are made.
Formal Recruitment
Rush is the formal part of IFC recruitment, "formal" in the sense that all the fraternities have agreed to rules to promote fairness and safety in the process. Fall rush (for sophomores and transfers) usually begins in early September, whereas spring rush (for all classes including freshmen) usually starts several days before classes start in January; check the IFC website for announcements about important dates and deadlines.
1. Sign up
To participate in rush, you must be a second-semester freshman or older, in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university, complete the required webinars, and agree to observe the IFC and university recruitment rules, all of which are confirmed when you register for IFC Recruitment.
2. Learn about the houses
The IFC will sponsor information sessions during the semester, and an in-person orientation at the start of rush. From there, there will be several rounds of open houses during which any PNM can visit any chapter and meet the brothers.
3. Make your selections
At the end of each round, you will identify your preferences, i.e. the houses where you want to continue the process with. The houses are also deliberating on the candidates who have visited and making a preference list of their own.
If you have mutually picked each other, you continue rush with invitation-only events. These are more focused activities with smaller groups, and you'll have much more time to meet more brothers, ask more serious questions, and see the if the culture of the organization will be good fit.
4. Sign your bid
After the last round, the chapter will vote on membership, and issue a formal invitation to join, known as a bid. Chapters will often invite their top picks to dinner afterward. After bidding, the IFC imposes a moratorium on recruitment events and contact, to give PNMs space to decide whether or not to accept a bid. You can accept electronically any time before the IFC deadline.
One you have signed your bid, a chapter officer will reach out to you for next steps, which may include a formal induction ceremony and the schedule for your new member process, and which will certainly include some paperwork and the payment of fees.
Formal rush is often followed by an informal makeup period colloquially known as COB (“continuous open bidding”), in which PNMs who did not receive a bid can continue to visit chapters, which can extend a bid at any time. Not all chapters participate in COB, however.