What is recruitment?

Recruitment, commonly called rush, is a week-long process held in both the spring and fall semesters. Our organization selects our newest pledge class from potential new members at rush. Learn more about what happens at rush in our FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Who can apply?

Any UofSC student who has two full semesters left before graduating and has over a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Although we are a professional business fraternity, we are open to all majors and many of our brothers are non-business majors ranging from public health to criminal justice.

We also have Honorary Program Members, who are international students and masters students at USC for 1-2 semesters. Honorary members go through the full recruitment process and an optional abbreviated development process after the conclusion of recruitment. If you are looking for a home on campus, come join our global network!

 

Pre-Recruitment Events:

  • All Frat Info Session: Monday, January 19th from 5PM - 6PM in Russell House Theater

  • Spring Business Bash: Tuesday, January 20th from 10AM - 2PM at the Moore School Sonoco Pavilion

  • Tabling: Wednesday, January 21st from 11AM - 1PM at Pickens Street Bridge

  • Info Session & Study Abroad Panel: Wednesday, January 21st from 7PM - 8:30 PM in Darla Moore School of Business Room 113

  • Info Session & Internship Panel: Thursday, January 22nd from 7PM - 8:30PM in Russell House Room 303

  • Mingling: Sunday, January 25th from 11AM - 1PM at Knowledge Perk Coffee in Gateway 737

Recruitment:

  • Night 1: Speed Dating | Monday, January 26th @ 7:00 PM, check-in in Darla Moore Study Commons | Business Casual Attire

    • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

  • Night 2: Speed Dating | Tuesday, January 27th @ 7:00 PM, check-in in Darla Moore Study Commons | Business Casual Attire

    • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

  • Night 3: Case Competition | Wednesday, January 28th - invitation only* | Business Professional

  • Night 4: Passion Pitch | Thursday, September 4th - invitation only* | Business Professional

  • Day 5: Final Interview | Friday, September 5th - invitation only* | Business Professional

*More information will be sent to applicants before each night of recruitment. Apply below.

 

Text @s26sou to 81010 for rush updates & follow us on Instagram @usc.sou

 

Want to sign up for recruitment, a coffee chat, or for more information?

Complete our application:

  • Nights one and two kick off the SOU Regatta with Speed Dating, held from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Both nights will host check-in in the Darla Moore Study Commons with rounds being held in classrooms downstairs.

  • Business casual is encouraged, but don’t sweat it if you don’t have the perfect outfit, just come looking neat and ready to make an impression!

  • A good attitude and a water bottle.

  • These nights set the tone for the rest of recruitment. They’re your chance to set sail, meet the brotherhood, and experience the energy, curiosity, and camaraderie that define Sigma Omega Upsilon. Whether you're strategizing answers or sharing a laugh, Speed Dating is where your SOU journey truly begins.

  • Speed Dating isn’t about having perfect answers—it’s about creativity, energy, and how you engage with others.

    Here are some resources that can help you frame your mindset and prepare for the fast-paced questions you will answer in speed dating.

    In addition to practicing how to respond and adapt to unexpected, impromptu question prompts, being knowledgeable about local and international current events will help you feel more informed and confident! There are many ways to consume the news, but here are some of brothers’ favorite daily round-ups:

  • The Case Competition is an invite-only round in the Game of SOU. Selected PNMs will receive specific time and location details on the day of the event.

  • Business professional is recommended, but not required. If that’s not in your wardrobe, just aim to look clean, polished, and confident.

  • Please bring a pen and paper to help jot down your team’s ideas during the brainstorming period.

  • This round tests your teamwork, communication, and adaptability—not how well you know business jargon. It’s about how you show up for your team, how you problem-solve in real time, and how you engage under pressure. In the Game of SOU, this challenge rewards collaboration over perfection and energy over expertise.

  • The case competition aims to gauge your problem-solving and structured thinking, as well as teamwork and creativity.

    The format of the case competition is as follows:

    • The case prompt will not require business-specific knowledge and will be approachable to students of all majors.

    • The case will present a scenario, an objective or “ask,” and an enumerated set of solutions, each having specific benefits and drawbacks.

    • PNMs will have 15 minutes to brainstorm and plan a brief presentation of their chosen solution with their teammates.

    • After deliberation, the group will present to a panel of brothers, having 5 minutes to present followed by 2 minutes of panel questions.

    As teams choose from the set of possible solutions, they are encouraged to think creatively about their rationale and explanation.

    Furthermore, they may build a presentation that will:

    • Introduce the scenario and challenge faced by the team,

    • Present the chosen solution,

    • Justify the benefit of the solution in comparison to alternatives,

    • Anticipate the results of the decision, and

    • Discuss any possible risks and needed mitigation strategies.

  • Passion Pitch is an invite-only round in the SOU Regatta. Details, including your assigned time and location, will be sent out to selected PNMs in advance.

  • Business professional dress is recommended. If you don’t have that exact look, don’t worry, just come dressed neatly and confidently to reflect your professionalism.

  • No items are required but you may bring note cards to refer to if you would like.

  • Passion Pitch is one of the most memorable rounds in the SOU Regatta. It’s your opportunity to share what matters most to you, communicate with impact, and connect with the brotherhood in a meaningful, personal way. This round rewards boldness, clarity, and heart, so bring yours.

  • The best part of the Passion Pitch round is its open-endedness! We encourage you to think outside of the box as you determine your topic and to build a speech around something that you are truly and authentically passionate about.

    Your speech could be centered on a key element of your identity or beliefs that makes you you; a personal experience or story; an event, tradition, institution that interests you; or, even educating or convincing the brotherhood to adopt your point of view on a topic.

    Remember this round isn’t about impressing the brotherhood, but about letting us see what genuinely excites you!

    Here are some additional resources that may be of assistance as you brainstorm your topic and prepare your speech:

  • The Final Interview is an invite-only round in the SOU Regatta, with time slots running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Selected PNMs will receive their exact interview time and location details upon invitation.

  • Business professional attire is recommended to help you show up with confidence. If you don’t have formal attire, that’s okay, just dress neatly and appropriately to reflect your professionalism.

  • You’re encouraged to bring a copy of your resume, but it’s optional. Not bringing one won’t count against you.

  • The Final Interview is your chance to leave a lasting impression and connect on a personal level. It’s your opportunity to tell your story, highlight your strengths, and show how you’d bring value to Sigma Omega Upsilon. In the SOU Regatta, this is your final leg; show us why you deserve a spot in the crew.

  • We hope that over the course of recruitment you have enjoyed your time getting to know the brothers of SOU! Perhaps you have made some new friends or observed your self grow in one way or another.

    Final interview is a last opportunity for you to make an impression by reflecting on your experiences, sharing your current and future goals, and determining your fit as a brother in SOU. It is important to keep in mind that we are not seeking the “perfect candidate” but rather individuals who have a capacity and eagerness for growth across our pillars, are eager to be a contributing brother, and share the values of the brotherhood.

    This will be a traditional behavioral interview conducted by two brothers. It will last approximately 30 minutes with questions directed by the brothers and time at the end for you to ask any remaining questions you may have about SOU or your interviewers’ experiences in the fraternity.

    Here are some resources that will help you prepare for the interview:

    Lastly, while resumes are encouraged, they are not required and it will not be counted against you if you do not bring one. If you do opt to bring a resume, feel free to format it in the layout preferred by your academic college:

  • SOU is co-ed and open to all majors. International students are also welcome regardless of study length! A minimum 3.0 GPA is required.

  • You must attend 1 out of the first 2 nights, but are encouraged to attend all nights of recruitment.

    If you have any conflicts that prevent you from attending nights of recruitment, let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate.

  • You will receive more information later, but a brief description of each round is as follows:

    Night 1 & 2 Speed Dating - These rounds have quick rotation times between brothers, where you will be asked interesting questions and brain teasers. There are no correct answers, and we want to learn how you think!

    Night 3 Case Competition - Invitation-only round with group work on a unique problem.

    Night 4 Passion Pitch - Invitation-only round where you will give a short presentation to the brotherhood on something you are passionate about. This is a fun way to learn more about you!

    Day 5 Final Interview - Invitation-only round with a 15-30 minute interview given by a small panel of brothers.

  • Nights 1-2 are business casual, and Nights 3-5 are business professional. If the dress code presents a problem for you, please get in touch with the Chief Operating Officer with your concerns so a solution can be found. We care much more about learning about you than what you are wearing!

  • A bid is a formal invitation to take part in our professional development process (or PDP for short). The PDP takes roughly 9 weeks and upon completion, you will be initiated as a brother.

  • The time commitment in SOU can be broken down in two ways:

    Before becoming a brother (pledging): You will have a pledge class professional development meeting once a week. Outside of this, you can expect 3-5 hours a week spent towards the Professional Development Process (PDP).

    After becoming a brother: It is up to you how involved you are! As a brother, you are required to attend chapter meetings once a week as well as attend various events throughout the semester planned by our programming committee. You may also get involved in leadership by being elected to a chair or exec position.

  • Contact our email at uscsou@gmail.com with any further inquiries.

Recruitment FAQ