COB Spring 2026 ?

Those sororities did COB in Spring because they (obviously) had available membership space. This is common due to things like Seniors graduating at the end of Fall semester or girls dropping from the house. Girls drop because they can’t afford dues anymore (or don’t want to pay them) or decide sorority life is not for them (didn’t end up vibing with their house, internal drama, academic issues, etc).

COB is less common in Fall than Spring for these reasons. Also, Formal Recruitment in Fall usually gets each house at or close to full total membership. For fall rush, PHA sets the quota, which is the maximum number of bids each house can accept for that rush period. That quota number is the same for all houses. The only way a house can go over quota is by Quota Addition (look it up for explanation).

Even if a house takes the max number of pledges (quota), they may still have membership space available due to quota not getting them to full allowable / total membership. In those cases, those very few remaining spaces will usually be filled via Snap Bid. These almost always go to girls who suicided, but didn’t get a regular bid, or no-bid girls that got eliminated from that house during a round or two before Pref. The point being, the houses already somewhat knew them and they participated in rush. Every year there are Snap Bid success stories, but holding out for a Snap Bid is definitely a gamble due to many unknowns. I would say there are far more “losers” than “winners” seeking Snap Bids. Then, if there is still space left, that’s where fall COB comes in.

So, you don’t have to participate in formal recruitment for COB, but you are at the very end of the line for membership consideration with the odds very much not in your favor. It is possible, though, as I believe there is always a house or two who does Fall COB.

Someone please correct me if I got any of this wrong.

Not how it works, Candyland. No house wants to snap bid, it's not a good thing to not match to Quota and have to scramble before bid day. COB exists to maintain equity among the chapter memberships and Total is set accordingly by panhellenic, for the sororities' benefit. Also members graduate in December as well as in May, if you think retention is an issue then you need to offer receipts, Candyland, so please show.

We get it, you didn't get a bid you wanted so you are bitter enough to wish that no one else is able to get one either, and that's why you wish COB and snap weren't allowed.