WHAT IS A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION?
A letter of recommendation is an official form provided by an individual sorority’s national organization that is filled out by someone who is an alumna of a Panhellenic sorority and no longer attending college but wishes to write a PNM a recommendation for their chapter. A Recommendation/Reference (also called a REC or RIF) serves as an OPTIONAL introduction to the sorority, so their members can get to know a PNM in advance of primary recruitment in the fall.
DO I NEED LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?
No!
While you may hear that other schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) require letters of recommendation, the University of Kentucky does not require them to participate in recruitment. We find that our sorority women care more about the one-on-one conversations they have with PNMs during recruitment functions rather than what a letter from an alumna says about them. Our women want to know all of the unique personality traits and values that make you who you are, and no letter can tell them that. If you do or do not have a recommendation letter, it will not be held against you in any way!
In summary, letters are not required or needed to join a sorority. Recs are like extra credit—spend your summer relaxing and hanging out with friends. Do not worry about getting a letter of recommendation!
CHAPTER SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Alpha Chi Omega
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy:
Alpha Chi Omega considers a legacy to be a sister, daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of a member. The Alpha Chi Omega member and her family define their legacy relationship, i.e. step relations, blended families, etc. Beginning in fall 2021, Alpha Chi Omega chapters will no longer provide preferential treatment to legacies or any other potential new members in the recruitment process. Letters of recommendation are optional, and receiving a recommendation no longer guarantees an invitation to the second round of recruitment.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Alpha Chi Omega HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Alpha Chi Omega Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Only Online Submissions Accepted
Alpha delta pi
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Alpha Delta Pi’s current policy is to give these sisters, daughters, and granddaughters of Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae, known as legacies, special consideration for membership since the initiation of these women strengthens family ties, giving the chapter increased support. While letters of recommendation are appreciated, they do not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website here: Alpha Delta Pi HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Only Online Submissions Accepted
Alpha Gamma Delta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Alpha Gamma Delta recognizes the legacy status of the daughter, step-daughter, sister, step-sister, granddaughter or step-granddaughter of any member in Good Standing; however, legacy status does not guarantee an invitation to invitational recruitment rounds or an offer of membership. While letters of recommendation are appreciated, PNM’s with completed Recruitment Information Forms will not receive preferential treatment.
For more information on Alpha Gam’s policy update, please visit their national organization website: Alpha Gamma Delta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Alpha Gamma Delta Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Email (Preferred) and Online Submissions Accepted
kendra.hards@uky.edu - Director of Membership
Alpha Phi
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Alpha Phi legacies are defined as any daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, stepdaughter, sister or stepsister of an initiated member of Alpha Phi. Chapters recognize and appreciate legacy relations when family members join their sisterhood, but treat all PNMs equally during the recruitment process. Letters of recommendation are appreciated but do not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Alpha Phi HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Alpha Phi Alumnae and Non-University of Kentucky Alpha Phi Collegians
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Only Online Submissions Accepted
Chi Omega
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Chi Omega defines a legacy as a daughter or sister of an initiated member in good standing. Chi Omega extends invites to legacy PNMs during the first invitational round as a courtesy, but only if the chapter has room on its invite list. While letters of recommendation are appreciated but not a requirement for membership and do not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Chi Omega HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Chi Omega Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online (Preferred) Submissions Accepted
Delta Delta Delta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Delta Delta Delta defines a legacy PNM as a daughter or step-daughter, sister or step-sister, granddaughter or step-granddaughter, or niece of an initiated member in good standing. While Tri Delta recognizes and celebrates legacy relationships when family members join their sisterhood, they do not give preferential treatment to those with family connections during the recruitment process. Tri Delta does not require references for membership, however they provide information to learn more about the PNM and help the chapter have better quality conversations with the PNM during recruitment.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Tri Delta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Delta Delta Delta Alumnae and Non-University of Kentucky Delta Delta Delta Collegians
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online (Preferred) Submissions Accepted
Delta Gamma
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Delta Gamma considers a legacy to be a great-granddaughter, granddaughter, daughter, sister or the same step-relation of a Delta Gamma member. Though all potential new members (PNMs) are given the same consideration during recruitment, current members can celebrate with their legacies who join Delta Gamma at Bid Day, Initiation and through other DG events throughout both of their memberships. Legacies and women who have been recommended are not guaranteed membership in Delta Gamma.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Delta Gamma HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Delta Gamma Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Only Online Submissions Accepted
Delta Zeta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
A Delta Zeta legacy is defined as the biological or adopted daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter or sister of an initiated member of any Delta Zeta Chapter. A PNM will not be considered a legacy unless a Recruitment Introduction Form or written referral is completed on their behalf. A legacy, who meets the minimum requirements for membership, shall be extended an invitation to one invitational formal recruitment event as a courtesy. While Delta Zeta appreciates letters of recommendation, receiving a recommendation does not guarantee membership or invitation to recruitment events.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Delta Zeta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Delta Zeta Alumnae and Non-University of Kentucky Delta Zeta Collegians
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online Submissions (Preferred) Accepted
Gamma Phi Beta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Gamma Phi Beta considers the daughter, step-daughter, granddaughter, step-granddaughter, sister or step-sister of an initiated member to be a legacy. As of fall 2021, Gamma Phi Beta recruitment procedures allowing for preferential treatment of legacy PNMs no longer exist. While letters of recommendation are helpful, obtaining a letter of rec does not guarantee an offer of membership or invitation to recruitment events from Gamma Phi Beta.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Gamma Phi Beta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Gamma Phi Beta Alumnae
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online Submissions Accepted
Kappa Alpha Theta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Kappa Alpha Theta defines a legacy as a daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, or sister of a Kappa Alpha Theta member. Stepdaughters, step-granddaughters, step-great-granddaughters, and stepsisters are regarded as legacies if their family considers them as such. As of 2020, Kappa Alpha Theta has eliminated all preferential treatment given to legacies during the recruitment process. This means that there will no longer be an automatic invitation following the first round of recruitment or an automatic placement on the chapter’s bid list.
Kappa Alpha Theta appreciates the efforts of anyone who recommends outstanding young women for membership. The process of identifying qualified potential new members (PNMs) is a responsibility and a privilege for our college chapters. Therefore any person, regardless of membership in Kappa Alpha Theta, is welcome and encouraged to submit a Potential New Member (PNM) Introduction Form for qualified PNMs. This form is referred to as a RIF (reference information form) or LOS (letter of support) by other FSL organizations, and previously known by Theta as the reference letter or recommendation letter. PNMs are not required to have an Introduction Form completed on their behalf to be considered for membership, nor does it guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Kappa Alpha Theta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Any person, regardless of membership, is able to submit.
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-in, email, and online submissions are accepted (online preferred)
Email: katgammaiotarc@gmail.com
Kappa Delta
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
A Kappa Delta legacy is the daughter, granddaughter or sister of an initiated member in good standing. Half and step relations are considered legacies. Being a KD legacy does not guarantee an invitation or membership, however if a legacy accepts an invitation to a KD Preference event, she will be placed at the top of the chapter’s bid list. Having a letter of recommendation does not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website here: Kappa Delta HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Kappa Delta Alumnae
How to submit a letter of recommendation
Only Online Submissions Accepted
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Fraternity Council has decided to eliminate all preferential treatment of legacies during Recruitment and the Fraternity legacy definition. Letters of recommendation can be helpful in the recruitment process but are not required for membership and do not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website:Kappa Kappa Gamma HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Non-University of Kentucky Kappa Kappa Gamma Collegians
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online Submissions Accepted
Phi Mu
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
The Rho Iota chapter of Phi Mu at the University of Kentucky does not give special consideration to legacy PNMs during recruitment and does not accept letters of recommendation.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Phi Mu HQ
Pi Beta Phi
Legacy and Letter of Recommendation Policy
Pi Beta Phi defines a legacy as a daughter, sister, or granddaughter of a current, initiated member. The Kentucky Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi has chosen to not provide preferential treatment to legacy PNMs. Letters of recommendation can be helpful in the recruitment process but are not required for membership and do not guarantee invitation or membership.
For more information, please visit their national organization website: Pi Beta Phi HQ
Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation
Pi Beta Phi Alumnae and Non-University of Kentucky Pi Beta Phi Collegians
How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation
Mail-In and Online (Preferred) Submissions Accepted