how many pnm?

these terms can be very confusing to pnms so let's make sure we're being super specific when describing this process.

When PNMs maximize their options, they are eligible for quota additions (or QAs), meaning if they don't match with either of their choices, the system rewards them for maximizing by placing them on their first choice's bid list. This is usually all fine at most schools, but IU is different since Panhel doesn't force chapters to take QAs, so there's a chance that a PNM may be completely dropped if neither of the chapters she ranks takes QAs and she's not high enough on the bid list for either chapter. At that point, she'd be eligible for either a snap bid or a COB.

Panhel sets a quota based off of how many PNMs attend pref, divided by the number of sororities. So if 100 pnms attend pref and there are 10 chapters, each chapter gets a quota of 10 pnms. Of course, this assumes everyone who attends pref signs an MRABA, and knowing PNMs, some won't, so some chapters don't make quota. Those chapters have the option to snap bid a PNM who was released from recruitment or dropped voluntarily before the bids are given out/accepted. Once they are given out and accepted, there are no more snap bids. If bid day festivities have started, there are no more snap bids. Anything after this process is COB, which can go to any girl, regardless of whether or not she's rushed before (at most schools Panhel recalculates total after bid day to determine who needs to COB, but IU doesn't do that because no total). So snap bids = before bid day but after pref, must have participated in recruitment to some degree, and COB = any time after recruitment, any girl who meets recruitment criteria (so no first semester freshman).

In an ideal world, IU would set a total for sororities based on the average membership of each house, and make each chapter take QAs thereby guaranteeing a bid to any PNM that maximizes her options. Unfortunately, the school hasn't gotten to that point yet, which is what makes IU recruitment so "exclusive".

There needs to be exceptions made in extreme cases. Yes in a perfect world every chapter would be viewed equally and everyone would be happy with any chapter they recieve a bid from. But unfortunately at IU there are a few chapters that are viewed not as favorably and many (not all) women just do not have anything in common or click with these chapters. You can't force women to sign an financially binding agreement for a chapter they know they would not fit in. Knowing several ppl who have said they gave certain chapters a chance with an open mind and it just ended how they thought, and stuck with financial contract with a chapter they are miserable in (not because they think they are better than them, just nothing in common). So if girls who go to pref with a high favorable chapter (trying not to use the word tiers cuz omg triggers y'all) and a low chapter a pnm feels like they have little choice but to suicide because the two chapters are 100% different with opposite personalities and interests. If a pnm makes no connection in the low chapter she should not be penalized by saying she wouldn't accept a bid and she should still be allowed to be a QA for the other chapter, especially when she followed through to the end and went to pref round. If a pnm ends pref with a middle and high chapter and suicides the lower of the two that's when they shouldn't be added as a QA because that's just the pnm thinking they are better than the middle one! I personally know this happens! Would have been ecstatic for many chapters where connections were made at all "tiers" but when you are left with one you know wouldn't work out period for several reasons it isn't right to bash someone for not giving them a chance, because did all the way through pref. would have had a chance with other choice if I would have been a QA but instead fell through the cracks and got nothing. In real life someborganizations fail to meet expectations and are not looked favorably upon. It's no different in Greek life. There are wonderful people and personalities at every "level" but if a bid was handed to me from a sorority for one with zero connection at bid night when my other was my top choice I would have litterally had an anxiety attack and passed out knowing I now would have to either suck it up, lie and make up a story to get out of the agreement, or hire a lawyer to get out of it. Don't force things on women you know isn't a fit. Please make exceptions in extreme cases to give them the best chance for the best fit.

remember that new members are not tied permanently to their sorority until they have initiated. They can leave anytime during the pledge period for any reason, and though they cannot accept another bid for a year, they could go through formal recruitment next year. Also, if you do go through initiation and continue to be unhappy you can take early alumna status which takes away the financial burden, but unfortunately you can not pledge any other NPC sorority.

If exceptions were made for “extreme circumstances”wouldn’t everyone claim that they had an extreme circumstance?

No. The chances are you dropped and didn’t get a bid at all. Be happy with what you have.

Ya because they had a legit reason to be a quitter gtfo!!

Yes many pnms have done this and gotten in way better houses because the dropped. Even when panhel claims you arnt eligible for snap bids if you drop but a lot of girls got them and now are in a better situation. The lie is they tell you that this doesn't happen. They help the pnms they have connections with and dump ones that maybe someone falsly spreads rumors about.

No. Dropping equals quitting the process, as in all done.

Thank you for the longest and most pointless NON answer ever...

Does anyone out there have the actual information I am seeking?

Total is nonexistent at IU. Chapters are allowed to be at whatever size their nationals dictate.

This exact attitude is right here with "gawd's" reply is why change never occurs. You are the one who displays a sense of entitlement. If your last two choices were #1 and #22 what would you have done. Get over yourself because I guarantee if half of the women who reply with this answer were put in that situation they would not be so accepting of the #22. The system has not worked for a pnm and there are vast differences in sisterhood, activities, social events, philanthropic involvement in the two. Because you want it to be accepted doesn't make it happen by shaming people for not clicking with an organization. The self entiltlement belongs to you "gawd" how about you pair up with these unfavorably looked on sororities and help them out. You are the one who thinks you are better by saying women who get cut after a 5 minute conversation "deserve" it. Check yourself.

You do know that there is no way that a PMN would end up with that scenario. At worst PNMs might end up with two chapters in different tiers but not a top and a bottom. And if by some chance she did, I would hope she would handle it with more grace than your reply. Would the PNM feel entitled to be rude at the lower house to justify why she belonged in the top house??