It’s sorority rush season at the University of Alabama, which means one thing: Bama Rush is back.
Bama Rush videos have been taking over TikTok this month, with PNMs (potential new members) sharing a glimpse into UA’s complicated sorority recruitment process.
Some of the most popular videos feature “fit checks” or OOTD (outfit of the day) reveals, with hopeful recruits name-checking the brands of everything they’re wearing that day.
In other videos, prospective members walk viewers through the rush process, which begins with Convocation Day on Aug. 10 and culminates eight days later in Bid Day, when young women hope to receive invitations to join one of the university's 24 sororities.
Dubbed “RushTok” among TikTok users, the recruitment phenomenon has developed a cult following since it first took off on social media in 2021, and many have compared the constant stream of RushTok video content to an addictive reality show.
The viral trend even inspired a 2023 documentary, “Bama Rush,” which follows University of Alabama students as they vie for a spot in one of the university’s coveted sororities.
Read on to learn more about the Bama Rush and RushTok phenomenon taking TikTok by storm yet again this back-to-school season.
What is RushTok?
RushTok is a nickname for the corner of TikTok dedicated to videos about sorority rush week.
While RushTok includes videos about sororities around the country, the University of Alabama’s Bama Rush is by far the most posted-about sorority rush process.
Some of the most popular PNMs have racked up hundreds of thousands — even millions — of views for their Bama Rush videos.
One PNM, Mayce Chandler, has grown a loyal fan following with her cheerful outfit-of-the-day videos filmed in her dorm room.
“Hey guys! It is Bama Rush, Day 4,” she said in one recent video that has racked up more than 259,000 views.
“My shorts are Queen of Sparkles, my top is UA Panhellenic, my shoes are Golden Goose," she said, also noting that she was wearing jewelry from Tiffany, David Yurman, Tuckernuck, and enewton.
“I am so excited for today,” she ended the video. “I will see you guys tomorrow for Day 5, and Roll Tide!”
Several viewers in the comments praised Chandler’s look and wished her the best throughout the rush process.
“You’re my favorite Bama rush character this season,” one person commented.
“love seeing your style and vibe!!! so excited to see how this goes for you!!!” another person wrote.
Current sorority members also take part in Bama Rush, posting OOTD videos and offering insights into what happens during rush week.
One TikTok user, Kylan Darnell, walked her fans through her Bama Rush Day 4 outfit in a video that has racked up more than 139,000 views.
“Hey, y’all, I hope you’re having a great day, not just a good day,” she began the video.
She explained that it was the last day of the Philanthropy Round, when recruits have the chance to learn about each sorority’s philanthropic work.
“Philanthropy is all about Think Pink, Think Zeta, and it’s where we educate the girls that are coming in, the PNMs, about breast cancer awareness and what Zeta does for breast cancer,” she said.
She went on to share that she was wearing items by David Yurman, Spinelli, Dior, Hermès and enewton, a jewelry brand that comes up again and again in Bama Rush videos.
Fans praised Darnell’s outfit and gushed about their general obsession with Bama Rush.
“Bama rush is filling the void that the olympics ending left,” one person wrote in the comments.
Ava LeBlanc, a current sorority member at Alabama’s Auburn University, broke down the details of another important piece of the rush process: the Sisterhood Round.
“Sisterhood is an amazing chance for us to get to know the girls on a more personal level, and for them to get to know us,” she said in a recent RushTok video. “We get to tell them all about the friendships that we’ve made, the memories that we’ve shared and the bond that we all have as a sorority. It is truly such a sweet round and I cannot wait for these girls to get to experience for themselves.”
When is Bama Rush?
Rush week at the University of Alabama began on Aug. 10 this year and will conclude on Aug. 18 with Bid Day.
The Alabama Panhellenic Association has posted a guide for potential recruits online, explaining the activities of each day and also offering outfit suggestions.
Some events, like Convocation and the Open House on the first day, are more casual, and “T-shirt and shorts are appropriate.”
Next come the Philanthropy Days from Aug. 11 to 13, which “marks the beginning of invitation-only parties” and offers PNMs the chance to learn about different sororities’ philanthropic focus.
On these days, PNMs wear their Philanthropy Day T-shirts, which were given to them at Convocation.
Next up are the Sisterhood Days, which take place from Aug. 14 to 16. During these days, PNMs have the chance to attend 40-minute parties at up to seven different sororities.
“Participation in this round will allow you to see firsthand the individuality and values of each chapter,” the Alabama Panhellenic Association says.
Dress recommendations for PNMs are more formal at this stage.
“During this round, we recommend that you wear a nicer dress and wedges or heels,” the Association says in its online guide. “You may want to keep a pair of sandals or flip flops in your bag to wear in between houses to give your feet a break!”
Next comes the most formal round of recruitment, Preference Day on Aug. 17. On this day, PNMs have the chance to talk privately with sororities who are “very interested” in welcoming them as a member.
“You should wear a nice dress and heels or nice wedges,” the Alabama Panhellenic Association notes to potential recruits online. “You will not want to wear a dress that is too short or tight. An example would be something you may wear to a graduation ceremony or a daytime wedding.”
Finally comes Bid Day on Aug. 18, when sororities bid for their members, and new recruits run to their new sorority houses.
How to watch the 'Bama Rush' documentary
In 2023, Max released a documentary, “Bama Rush,” about the behind-the-scenes realities of the University of Alabama sorority recruitment process.
The documentary follows four PNMs as they prepare for the 2022 Bama Rush season and “explores the emotional complexities and high-stakes of belonging in this crucial window into womanhood,” according to a description of the documentary on YouTube.
In addition to covering the popularity of RushTok, “Bama Rush” explores the darker sides of Greek life, including a history of racism within some sororities.
In 2013, former University of Alabama president Judy Bonner acknowledged that sorority recruitment decisions had been made “based on race,” according to NBC News.
The documentary also explores sorority hopefuls’ self image issues and anxieties as they navigate the recruitment process.
“Bama Rush” is available to stream on Max and HBO, and is also available to stream on Prime Video with a Max subscription.
