Path to Chapter Membership
TCU IFC recruitment runs on a published timeline, documented standards, and chapter accountability. Every prospective member starts the same way: with one registration form.
Fraternity Terminology
Active - An initiated member who is a current college student in a fraternity
Alumnus - An initiated member who has graduated or left college (plural: alumni)
Bid - A formal invitation to join a fraternity
Brother - A term used by fraternity members in reference to one another
Chapter - The local group of an international fraternity
Chapter Advisor - An alumnus who maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter
Community Service - Hands-on activities directly benefitting others
Fraternity - The name that applies to male chapters characterized by strong bonds and brotherhood
House - The structure in which fraternities reside or socialize together
Initiation - A formal ceremony during which a new member begins full membership of a fraternity
Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The representative body for 13 men's fraternities affiliated with TCU
Legacy - A potential new member whose parents, grandparents, or siblings are members of the same fraternity
North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) - The international organization composed of over 70 fraternities
New Member - A member of a fraternity who has not yet been initiated (also known as the outdated term, "pledge")
New Member Period - The time during which new members learn about their fraternity, its members, & its activities
Philanthropy - Chapter endeavors and activities that involve raising money for charitable organizations
Potential New Member (PNM) - A man who is going through the recruitment process
Ritual - A value-based esoteric ceremony that is traditional of a chapter
Recruitment - The process through which fraternities get new members (also known as, "rush")
RHO CHI -( Rush Guide) IFC Men of sophmore/junior/senior standing who are selected and trained to guide Potential New Members through the formal recruitment process. Rho Chis temporarily disassociate from their respective chapters to remain neutral during the formal recruitment process.
Four Steps to Finding Your Brotherhood
01
Register with IFC
Registration OPENS 05/16/2026, men interested in participating in recruitment must register online through the campus director portal. Submit the official IFC recruitment registration form. This single step opens access to every participating chapter's recruitment events no separate chapter applications required at this stage.
02
Attend All IFC Rush Events
Visit chapters during the formal recruitment period. IFC will brief PNMs on recruitment rules, all formal recruitment events are mandatory. Rush events consist of open house, speaker and info sessions, rush kickback and most importantly, service day.
03
Receive and Review a Bid
During rush week, chapters extend bids to candidates who meet their standards. You are not obligated to accept on the spot , PNMS have until Bid Day to make their decision.
04
Accept and Begin New Member Education
Accepting a bid initiates chapter new member education governed by chapter's nationals and IFC, a structured program covering chapter history, academic and social expectations, conduct standards, and leadership responsibilities.
Key Dates, Published in Advance
Answers Before You Ask
Do I need to move on campus early for recruitment?
Yes, you will need to move in early. As of recent changes, the new move in date for incoming freshman is August 15th. Classes will begin as week later, on August 24th
Registration Tips
What does membership actually cost?
All submissions are FINAL and edits can’t be made to Potential New Member (PNM) registration forms.
Use your TCU email for all parts of registration. Please do not use any other email when registering. You must complete the registration process in one sitting.
Your registration form must be completed by paying $125 registration fee before August 17th at 12:00am.
To participate in recruitment, Potential New Members (PNMs) must have a 2.0 GPA and be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours at TCU in the upcoming semester. However, chapters are usually looking for strong grades, so keep that in mind.
Chapter dues vary. IFC publishes a cost range for each chapter on the Chapters page. Financial aid and payment plans are available through individual chapters ask directly during recruitment events. Our average dues for a new member is $1,400 for their first semester in the fraternity. That price will go down to an average $1,100 per semester after your student has been initiated.
What to do after registration?
After registering, take some time to explore each chapter’s values and culture. A great way to start is by checking out chapter Instagram accounts, where you’ll find posts about their events, philanthropy, and brotherhood. The TCU IFC Instagram will feature highlight posts introducing each chapter to help you get a better feel for what makes them unique.
Most chapters also post contact information for their rush chairs, reaching out to them is highly encouraged, especially if you’re already interested in a particular chapter. It’s a great way to show initiative and start building connections. Additionally, chapter members and recruitment chairs will likely reach out to you throughout Recruitment Week to get to know you better and see where you might be a good fit.
You should also review the grade and conduct reports posted on the TCU Fraternity & Sorority
Life (FSL) website. These reports provide insight into each chapter’s academic performance and
community standards, helping you make informed decisions during the recruitment process.
How will I receive information about recruitment?
What If I don't receive a bid?
After registering for recruitment, you will receive regular communication from the Vice President of Recruitment, Killian Lyon with information about the recruitment process. Please make sure you are checking your TCU email. Give the TCU IFC Instagram a follow as important information will be announced.
All IFC fraternities, their inter/national organizations, the TCU Interfraternity Council, Texas Christian University, and the State of Texas strictly prohibit any form of hazing. Any chapter suspected of violating this policy is referred to the appropriate university conduct process. IFC encourages all students, members, parents, and community members to report any behavior that may involve hazing or put another student’s safety, dignity, or well-being at risk.
What about Hazing?
IFC maintains a Open Bidding policy throughout the academic year and also hosts Spring semester recruitment. Not receiving a bid during formal recruitment does not close the door contact IFC directly for next steps.
