What Is Alabama Rush? TikTok Viral Trend Is Back as 'Bama Sorority Rush Starts on College Campuses
It can be hard to keep up with what’s considered trending and cool amongst the teen girl demographic, but every August, like clockwork, there’s one aspect of teen girl culture that re-emerges, and that’s Bama Rush — or, in the TikTok sphere, Bama Rush-Tok. Confused yet?
What is Bama Rush, a.k.a. Alabama Sorority Rush?
Bama Rush is the term that came to describe the process in which young women at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, prepare to rush for a sorority. For those unfamiliar with the process of Greek Life at colleges and universities across the United States, the process of joining a sorority can get rather intense.
This year, recruitment at the university takes place over eight days, each day with a specific objective. PNMs (potential new members) begin the process on the first day with Convocation, followed the next day by Open House, in which they learn about the sororities they may end the week being a member of.
Philanthropy days follow, and the young women hoping to secure a bid learn about the charity work and philanthropic efforts of each sorority. Sisterhood days allow PNMs to socialize more with the sorority members and are invitation only. They also allow hopefuls to see a glimpse into the values, personality and ultimately, sisterhood, of each sorority.
@alabamaalphaphi/Instagram
Preference day is perhaps the most formal day of the rush process. It consists of invite-only parties (sorority hopefuls can only attend two) in which PNMs are to really focus on what they hope to get out of being in a sorority, and it also allows for some more private conversations with current members. At the end of these events, PNMs will rank their preferences for which sorority they’d want a bid from.
On the final day of the rush process, Bid Day, PNMs learn if they were offered a bid or invitation. While it’s an exciting day for some after a long, demanding rush process, for others who don’t receive a bid, it’s a heartbreaking end to their pursuit of sorority life.
@uaphimu/Instagram
Why has Bama Rush become such a phenomenon?
As with most things, social media is to blame for the influx of interest in Bama Rush. It all began when a few PNMs started documenting their rush experience on their TikTok accounts, and overnight, the world was invested.
The girls who partake in Bama Rush-tok typically will document their days, the outfits they wear to each event and a glimpse into the rush process as they try to join a sorority chapter. That said, the more they post, the more traction they gain, and almost like rooting for your favorite sports team, viewers find themselves cheering on their favorite PNMs.
Bama Rush-tok pioneers include Kylan Darnell, who rose to fame in 2022 during her rush experience. Morgan Cadenhead was another PNM from last year who had a big following rallying behind her, despite not receiving a bid. This year, PNMs like May Chandler and Sydney Daniel are just a few of the young ladies making a splash.
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