is cob easier than formal recruitment

I would argue it’s harder, since you have to know people and even then there’s limited spots open so I guess it depends on you

You need to understand that COB is not a spring mini rush organized by panhellenic. It is simply some houses offering bids to fill spots, and not every house does it or even announces that they have open spots because they fill them with girls they already know, especially the more desired houses. If you have been here for a semester and know people in houses and have a good idea then yes, you should try for a COB. Your chapter connections are important in COB. Otherwise, your very best chance for a bid is formal recruitment, where you have a chance at every single house and are not limited. This is especially true for upperclassmen who have been here for at least a semester and have made friends in different houses. The upperclassmen quota means you don't have to compete with freshmen for spots. With that said, over 93% of all pnm's get a bid during formal, and most of the ones who don't have dropped out voluntarily, mostly because they were overwhelmed or unprepared or had a serious life situation going on and couldn't make it work. If you go through formal and it doesn't work out for you and you don't sign a card, then COB is for you because you have seen all the houses already (and they have seen you) and have an idea of what's what and who you could get to know from class or dorm or friends of friends and find your people. Otherwise, no, it should not be a pre-planned strategy. Hope this helps.