Should You Try COB? What it Means and How it Works in Sorority Recruitment

If you didn't rush in the fall, you’re probably asking the same question as a lot of students right now: Is it worth rushing in the spring—or did I miss my chance? Add in terms like "rush week," "formal recruitment," and "COB," and it’s easy to feel like everyone else already knows something you don't.

This guide is here to clear that up. Whether you skipped fall recruitment, transferred mid-year, or just never really understood the difference between spring vs fall sorority recruitment in the first place, we’ll break down what each option actually looks like, the real COB meaning, and what to expect if you decide to give recruitment a try now.

Is spring recruitment different from fall recruitment?

Thanks to RushTok and BamaRush, fall recruitment has a rep for being INTENSE (trust us, we know - we’ve worked with hundreds of sororities that put in so much prep work for fall recruitment!) And this makes spring recruitment seem like the chill little sister. But that’s not the whole picture.

At schools like Elon University and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, spring sorority recruitment follows a formal, scheduled structure—very similar to what you’d see during a fall sorority recruitment week. Usually all Panhellenic sororities join, like Alpha Phi, Kappa Delta, and Phi Mu. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) sororities participate as well.

Now there are schools where spring recruitment is actually more laid-back. Some schools hold a general "meet the sororities" event early in the semester, then each chapter kind of does their own thing from there.

With that range in mind, here’s a clear look at the pros and cons of trying to join a sorority in the spring.

Spring Sorority Recruitment Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great for students who weren’t ready or available in the fall
• Compared to fall recruitment, there will usually be smaller crowds (less PNM competition) which gives you a higher chance at more personal interactions
• You get more time (through fall semester) to explore your campus and understand chapter personalities before committing

Cons

• Fewer participating chapters can mean fewer options depending on the campus
• Informal options can be unpredictable from year to year
• A formal rush process in the spring isn’t universal, not all campuses offer it

Plus, some campuses use spring recruitment as a deferred recruitment model, meaning some students would have to wait a full semester of college before they can go through the formal rush process again.

It all depends on your school and how the Greek life system is set up. The key is checking your Panhellenic or NPHC calendar early so you know what version of sorority recruitment your university offers. If formal recruitment isn’t happening in the spring at your school, don’t stress—there’s still another way to join a chapter: COB.

So...what does COB mean?

The COB meaning is Continuous Open Bidding, and it can be a confusing path into sorority life for new students. So let’s clear things up. 

The key difference in COB vs formal recruitment is structure. COB events are invite-only, casual, and chapter-specific, while the formal sorority recruitment process is centralized and highly scheduled.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. You express interest
   Many campuses have a COB interest form you can fill out with basic info like your name, major, interests, and contact details. This form gets shared with chapters that are eligible to recruit through COB because they have spots open. Chapters then use your contact info to reach out to you directly.
2. Chapters may reach out to you directly
   Once your info is shared — either via a COB form or because you’ve let sorority members know you’re interested — participating chapters will contact you on their own timeline.
3. You’re invited to informal events and hangouts
   Instead of structured recruitment rounds, chapters host small, casual events to get to know you and vice versa.
4. Multiple invitations are possible
   You don’t have to limit yourself to just one chapter right away. It’s common to attend COB events with more than one sorority to see different personalities, values, and vibes before deciding what feels right to you.
5. A bid can be extended any time
   If a chapter feels like you’re a good fit — and you feel the same way — they may extend a COB bid. This happens informally, and the chapter will tell you how long you have to accept it. The bid isn’t tied to a strict schedule like preference or bid day in formal recruitment.
6. You’re not obligated to accept immediately
   Once you’re offered a bid, you’ll usually have some time to think about it. This can vary by campus or chapter, but it’s normal to get a day or two to decide — and if you’re unsure, you can politely ask for more time.

Sororities participating in COB often do casual hangouts like:

• Lunch, dinner, or coffee chats with small groups of sisters (sometimes one-on-one) at a café or restaurant.
• Game nights that include board games, card games, trivia, etc.
• Movie nights or watching a game together, giving PNMs a chance to chat more organically.

How to Know If Chapters Are Doing COB

Not all chapters offer COB sorority opportunities. To find out:

• Check your Panhellenic website
• Follow chapters on social media
• Ask recruitment counselors or Panhellenic officers

Every campus is different, and not every chapter does COB every semester. But if they have room, they’ll want to fill it with someone awesome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sorority recruitment?

During recruitment week, or rush week, a sorority hosts recruitment events where they meet potential new members (PNMs) and explore potential membership. 

What is rushing?

“Rushing” or “rushing a sorority” is when you participate in a chapter’s recruitment process.

What happens during sorority recruitment week?

Most campuses follow a multi-round format during formal recruitment, which commonly includes Open House (or Sisterhood Round), Philanthropy Round, Preference Round, and then Bid Day. Each round gets smaller as PNMs and chapters narrow their choices, giving both sides time to decide if the fit feels right.

What does COB mean in sorority recruitment?

COB means "Continuous Open Bidding" which allows chapters to offer bids informally outside their formal recruitment period.

Spring vs fall sorority recruitment—what’s the difference?

Fall recruitment is usually formal, campus-wide, and includes all participating chapters over a set recruitment week. Spring recruitment can be formal or informal depending on the school and often involves fewer chapters, smaller events, and more flexibility.

Is spring rush easier than fall recruitment?

Not necessarily—spring can be seen more as lower pressure, but fewer chapters may be participating. At the same time, some schools have formal recruitment in the spring, so it would still feel intense as those that do formal recruitment in the fall

What are the fall sorority recruitment pros and cons?

Fall recruitment gets you the most structured introduction to sorority life, and at an earlier point in your college journey. However, it can also feel more intense, competitive, and time-consuming, especially for first-year students adjusting to college. Whether the pros outweigh the cons depends on your comfort level with structure, pace, and large-scale events.

Is fraternity rushing the same as rushing a sorority?

Not exactly. Sororities and fraternities are different organizations with their own governing councils, so while both have recruitment periods and similar goals—meeting potential new members and offering bids—their processes can look very different. Because of this, it’s common for fraternity recruitment to feel less formal or less standardized than sorority recruitment.

When’s the best time to rush a sorority?

Honestly, there is no "better" time to rush! Spring isn’t automatically easier than fall, and fall isn’t automatically better than spring. What matters most is knowing your specific school, which chapters are participating, and whether there’s a chapter where you genuinely see yourself fitting in.

The real question isn’t when you rush—it’s whether the chapter’s values, people, and recruitment process align with what you’re looking for. So whether you decide to rush in the fall, try spring recruitment, explore COB, or wait a bit more until you’re ready, that’s okay. Always choose the path that works for you.

If you’re ready and need more spring rush tips or help with your spring rush outfit, we got you. Good luck!!