Phi Sigma Sigma
Beta Upsilon
Recruitment
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​Common Questions
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Q: I’ve heard sororities haze, is this true?
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In Phi Sigma Sigma, we believe the new member period is a time of positive growth and development and are against any form of personal harm – physical or emotional. It is against policy and not tolerated by our campus, Greek advisors, national sorority organization, or National Panhellenic Conference. You should feel welcomed to join our sisterhood for who you are and what you can add!
A Letter from our Membership Recruitment Chair:

Hi Ladies,

My name is Aditi Harsh and I am the Recruitment Chair for Phi Sigma Sigma. American University offers young women on our campus the chance to go through sorority recruitment in the fall and spring. Sororities on our campus offer amazing leadership, philanthropic, and social opportunities that one could not receive from any other campus organization. Spring recruitment is great because it gives you a chance to get a taste of all the sororities on campus. Recruitment during the spring semester is also a more formal process, and your Sigma Rho Chi's will be able to answer any questions you may have about the recruitment process! I encourage you to explore our website and learn more about our sisterhood!
Feel free to contact me with any question. I would love to meet you before recruitment begins and I look forward to seeing you there!

Aditi Harsh
Q: I don’t look or act like the ‘typical’ sorority girl – will I fit in?
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Sororities have come a long way. Phi Sigma Sigma sisters come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. Our chapter prides ourselves with our diversity – geographically as well as intellectually! Our sisters’ hometowns connect the country east to west, north to south, as well as cross the ocean as we celebrate our international sisters as well! Sororities have women from every background and major with different interests and activities. Don’t worry that you need to fit into a cookie cutter type of girl. Just be you!
Q: I care about my academics – will joining a sorority hurt my grades?
Phi Sigma Sigma will never stand in the way of your studying or grades, ever. Our scholarship chair works closely with sisters to create study groups and connect younger girls with older sisters who have taken the same classes. No matter the need: Spanish, international studies, accounting, or film and media arts - we have somebody who can help you succeed. Nationally, our sorority has a higher minimum GPA than American’s campus requirement, as you must have at least a 2.6 cumulative GPA average to join a chapter.
Q. All sorority girls do is party, right?
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You will never be expected or pressured to party. As our chapter is comprised of 75 women, you will always find a sister to do something with, whether this is going out with friends or staying in painting nails and watching a movie. Everyone has their own preferences and we respect this. If a student is more likely to party, they will find this whether or not they are a member of a sorority.
Q: I heard someone say being in a sorority means you pay for your friends. Is this true?
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You pay dues as a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, yes. However these fund events and programs, not friendships. In our chapter, we would still be friends without the weekly chapter meetings, social events and sisterhood retreats. You will gain support, confidence, leadership, knowledge and guidance as a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma, and these qualities are not for sale.
​Q: Will I be able to afford it?
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Because American does not have Fraternity and Sorority housing, our chapter dues are significantly less than that of a larger university with housing included. As a new member, your dues include one-time payments like badge and membership fees. As you continue as a sister, your dues will drop each year depending on academic credit level. We also have multiple scholarship options available to sisters through our chapter, national philanthropic foundation and the university. We are very understanding of financial situations however it is a key component to membership and you should be aware of the financial expectations of any Greek organization.
​Q: Will I have time for other friends and activities outside of a sorority?
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Of course!
Phi Sigma Sigma is a great way to meet people on campus - whether they are involved with Greek life or not. We encourage you to keep friendships with unaffiliated students! Our chapter should be something you want to dedicate time to, not an obligation. Our sisters are happy to attend weekly chapter meetings (where our sisters tend to share baked goods) and philanthropy events. Optional events including sisterhood dinners and study hours are great ways to fit sisterhood into your busy schedule as well!

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We’re more than members of Greek life, too - the women of Phi Sigma Sigma are all over campus! Our sisters are captains of sports teams, dedicated intramural players, Student Government leaders, members of Women's Initiative, talent in Dime A Dozen, workers at the GLBTA Resource Center, tour guides for the Student Ambassadors, coordinators of alternative breaks, participants of both the College Democrats and the College Republicans, musicians in the orchestra, religious followers with Jewish Student Union, student coordinators for the Best Buddies program and so much more.
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Believe it! A Phi Sigma Sigma sister can balance good grades, a real job, multiple campus commitments and still have time for her Phi Sig sisters and non-affiliated friends.