Fraternities and Sororities

At UMBC, in order to participate in recruitment or be offered an invitation to join a chapter, you need to have completed 12 credits as a full time college student, either here or at another institution, and have achieved at least a 2.25 GPA. Academic excellence is a top priority for our chapters and many chapters require a higher GPA to join. We’re proud that our cumulative GPA is above the campus average!

Each chapter is responsible for their own membership recruitment and each has unique recruitment practices. Consider attending programs hosted by the organizations to meet members and get a feel for the chapter culture and priorities. Keep an open mind, you may be surprised to find that several groups could meet your expectations. As a first step, check out the Chapter section below to learn more about each organization.

What to Expect in the Joining Process

Chapters in each council conduct recruitment and intake activities in a slightly different way. All chapters and councils are present at Involvement Fest each semester and will have information about recruitment and contact information for appropriate officers or advisors.

• Panhellenic (PHA) conducts a Formal Recruitment each Spring semester and an informal recruitment each Fall semester for the 5 Panhellenic sororities and all chapters generally welcome new members each semester. The council is highly active in the recruitment process and interested women can contact the Council officers for more information or to register for recruitment.
• Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters are each host their own recruitment activities and each chapter generally welcomes new members each semester. The council is active in assisting the chapters and creating an environment that supports success for the chapters. Interested men can contact chapters or council officers for event information.
• Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) chapters each host their own recruitment or intake activities and chapters often welcome new members each semester. The council hosts a Showcase event at the beginning of the Spring semester to introduce chapters to the UMBC Community. Interested students can contact chapters directly for information about programs or events.
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPHC) chapters each host their own Rush or Intake and chapters often hold one Intake per academic year. Interested students are encouraged to attend educational programs hosted by the chapter, and can contact the chapter, or the advisor to the chapter, directly for details about an Informational or Formal Rush.

Academic Excellence

The UMBC Greek Community takes great pride in our commitment to our member?s academic experience. Chapters provide study group opportunities, programming to support academic development and study skills, and incentivize academic excellence through recognition and awards.

What Our Members Say

My chapter has brought me out of my shell in so many ways. I never expected to be the leader that I have become today. My friends here are the closest friends I have ever had. I feel like I finally became the person I always wanted to be.

I cannot stress enough how much I have learned to be a confident leader from my Greek experience. Being in a chapter gives you so many opportunities to develop these leadership skills both in your chapter and in your council. It can be stressful to take on big positions but so rewarding.

I have learned the importance of delegating, how to motivate others to get things done and to not be afraid of failing when you think you have a great idea. Just go for it and let the rest fall into place.

Each and every morning, I wake up having a purpose and goal. I know that each day, I will be contributing to something meaningful that each action I take will not only better myself but my organization. I am able to be give back to people and to experience so many different things each day because I am constantly meeting new people. I love the fact that this is an endless learning process. I love knowing that I am fighting for something that has meaning. I am in love with my sorority because of all that it has given to me. I hope that one day I will be able to repay it.

Greek life was the best decision I made in my undergraduate experience. It made me the person I am today. I have grown so much from the moment I entered Greek life. UMBC is not a typical Greek life school, our Greek student body is extremely diverse and close knit. You feel like you have a family not only with your Fraternity/Sorority but with the entire Greek Community.

Greek life is unlike any other club, it is a life long bond between you and an organization. It is like 5 clubs in one and it will open doors for you that you could have never imagined.