The Week After Bid Day: A New Member Guide for Your First Real Week

Bid Day is loud in the way only campus can be loud: matching shirts, a hundred photos you didn’t ask for, and the kind of adrenaline that makes you forget you still have homework. Then you wake up the next morning, and it’s group chats, calendars, and the sudden realization that you now have a lot of new names to learn.

If you’re feeling a little emotional whiplash, you’re normal. This guide is for the week after you accept your bid, because the first week is where things start to feel real. That’s when most people start wondering if they’re doing it “right.”

Quick refresher: What is Bid Day, and how does Bid Day work for sorority chapters?

Bid Day is the last, and potentially the most nerve-wracking, part of Recruitment Week. Thousands of girls are gathered in a specific venue and are handed sealed envelopes containing the name(s) of the sorority/ies who want them to join their sisterhood. This is a huge event that can define the next few years of a college girl’s life.

And that’s you, too.

So you’ve gotten your bid. Now what?

What should I expect in the first 24 hours after I accept my bid?

On the first day, you’ll typically get added to chapter communications, receive next steps, and meet the person who helps run your onboarding (often your New Member Educator). If it feels like everything is happening at once, that’s normal. This is mostly logistics, not a test.

Expect group chats, a schedule drop, and a quick intro to your New member welcome flow (who to contact, where to be, and what you’re expected to do this week). If you’re overwhelmed, your most useful line is: “Hi! I’m trying to keep up. What are the must-attend things this week?”

What actually happens during new member week (and what is it for)?

New member week is usually a mix of bonding and basics meant to help you get oriented without guessing everything on your own. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s learning the rhythm early so the rest of the semester feels manageable.

This period sits between recruitment and initiation, and it’s where expectations become real: calendars, responsibilities, and how your chapter communicates. (On many campuses, the broader new member period also has guardrails, like limits on length.)

If you want context on how the earlier part of the journey sets you up for this week, Everything You Need to Know About Fall Recruitment: Sorority Edition is a useful reference for what chapters are trying to accomplish across the full process.

What do sisterhood and bonding events look like during new member week?

They’re structured ways to help you meet people beyond your Member class without needing to “work the room” solo. You’ll usually see a mix of small-group time, meet-and-greets, and low-pressure events designed to build comfort fast.

The point is range: you’re not only meeting people “like you,” you’re finding the people you can actually do life with on campus (studying included). If you’re quieter, you’re not behind. You’re just collecting data.

What do new members learn about expectations, time, and chapter standards?

You’ll usually get a clear rundown of responsibilities, timelines, and what “showing up” looks like academically and socially. This is where your calendar starts to matter, because chapter events and real life can collide fast.

You may also hear terms that feel loaded if you didn’t grow up around Greek life. If you’re stuck on Pledge meaning, ask your New Member Educator what your campus and council actually uses and expects, because language and policies vary.

A simple way to stay sane: keep one running list titled “Ask my New Member Educator,” and drop questions there instead of interrupting your brain 40 times a day.

When does Big/Little start to show up, and what should I assume early on?

Early on, it’s more about learning what mentorship looks like than instantly finding your forever person. If you don’t click with someone immediately, that’s not a red flag. It’s just early days.

Also, leadership dynamics become clearer fast once you’re inside. If you want to understand who does what (and who to ask for what), The Ultimate Guide to Leadership Positions in Sororities can help you decode the structure without guessing.

What’s the hardest adjustment in the first week as a new member?

The biggest shift is that your social world expands overnight while your time and budget stay the same. Feeling behind socially, stressed about costs, overwhelmed by scheduling, or just exhausted is extremely common.

Use scripts. They work:

• “I’m excited to be here. I just need a night to catch up on sleep. I’ll be at the next one.”
• “Can someone confirm which events are required vs. optional this week?”
• “I want to participate, but I need clarity on costs before I commit.”

None of those lines are rude. They’re competent.

What should I do if I accepted a bid but I’m not sure I want to stay?

First, don’t panic-decide. Figure out where you are in the process and what options exist at that stage on your campus. Most campuses have clear rules about timing, and that’s why MRABA matters in the decision path.

If you’re unsure before you sign your MRABA: can you withdraw?

Often, yes. Many campuses explicitly state you may withdraw any time before signing the MRABA. Clemson’s Panhellenic FAQ says this directly.

If you signed and then reconsidered: what does “binding” generally mean?

In general, signing can affect eligibility until the next primary recruitment on that campus if you receive a bid from a chapter you listed and then decline it. NPC’s “Final Preferences and the MRABA” document lays out these implications.

If you leave before initiation: what happens?

Some campuses note that if you accept membership and later leave before initiation, you may need to wait until the next primary recruitment to join another chapter. This is the kind of rule that is campus-specific, so check your own council’s guidance first.

If something feels unsafe or coercive: what should you do?

Treat it as a real issue, not a “me problem.” Loop in appropriate campus resources (Panhellenic, an advisor, counseling center, dean of students) and use your school’s official reporting pathways.

How is a sorority experience different from a fraternity experience right after bids go out?

The big similarity is that the real adjustment happens after the celebration: new chats, new expectations, and a packed calendar. The differences usually come down to council rules, structure, and what onboarding looks like on your campus.

If you’re searching bid day for fraternities, frat bid day, or fraternity bid day, here’s the principle: the celebration can look different, but the “new member week” whiplash is universal. You’re not uniquely behind. You’re just newly scheduled.

What should I wear after the first day?

Chapter shirts are the easiest shortcut to belonging when you’re still learning names. It’s like your official uniform that helps you see your team in the sea of other sororities. Merch chairs are very mindful of how to pick the right shirts and designs for Bid Day merch so new members can immediately feel they can keep wearing that shirt after their first day. 

After that, it’s common to see more shirts for class identity, sisterhood events, or later chapter moments. This is why sorority bid day shirts hit so hard for so many people.

FAQs

What is bid day for a sorority (and what happens after)?

It’s when you receive a bid to join a chapter. After that, you begin your new member period, which usually includes onboarding, bonding, and education leading up to initiation.

How does bid day work for sorority if I’m not sure I want to join?

If you’re unsure, identify your timing around MRABA and talk to your campus Panhellenic and chapter contacts for your options. Many campuses allow withdrawal before signing MRABA.

Can I decline my bid after bid day? What does the MRABA mean?

Yes, you can decline, but signing MRABA can affect eligibility timing on your campus. NPC’s MRABA education materials explain the general implications, and your campus Panhellenic can clarify local rules.

What happens during new member week before initiation?

It’s usually structured bonding, plus learning expectations, history, and how membership works on your campus. The goal is orientation and community, not instant perfection.

What’s bid day for fraternities, and is fraternity bid day the same vibe?

It can be similar in the celebratory sense, but council rules and onboarding structures vary a lot by campus. The shared experience is the fast shift into schedules, expectations, and new social pressure.

What’s next?

The goal of the first week isn’t to be instantly best friends with everyone. It’s to learn the rhythm, find your people, and ask questions early.

But not all bids happen on Bid Day. Our guide to sorority COB (Continuous Open Bidding) may be an alternative you want to consider if you’re still looking for options. Either way, we hope you find the right sorority for you!