Purdue Triangle
Recruitment · No pressure, no obligation

How to rush Triangle

New to the whole fraternity thing? Good — most of our best brothers were too. Here's exactly how recruitment works, in plain English.

Start here

What "rush" actually means

Rush (also called recruitment) is simply the period when you visit fraternities, meet the guys, and figure out where you belong. You are not signing up for anything by showing up.

A guy going through rush is called a PNM — a Potential New Member. That's you. You'll hang out at events, ask questions, and see if the vibe fits.

If both sides click, the chapter extends a bid — a formal invitation to join. Accept it, and you become a new member. New to any of these words? We made you a whole page.

Read the lingo guide →
PNMs and brothers hanging out around the fire pit
Clearing the air

Forget the movies

The myth

It's the movie version of a frat

The Hollywood picture: chaos, no studying, and a price tag that makes no sense.

The truth

Degree first, always

Triangle is a STEM fraternity. We organize around classes and careers, and our chapters rank top-10% in GPA. The social side complements the work — it doesn't replace it.

The myth

You have to "be a frat guy"

You picture a specific type — loud, polished, knows everyone already.

The truth

We recruit engineers, not extroverts

Our brothers are people who happen to share your major and your grind. Quiet, loud, first-gen, transfer — if you're serious about your degree and want real friends, you'll fit.

The process

Rush, step by step

01

Reach out or show up

Email the rush chair, message us on Instagram, or just come to an open recruitment event. Fall and spring both have recruitment — and we take members year-round when the fit is right.

02

Come to rush events

This is the fun part. Cookouts, game nights, sports, tours of the house, and just hanging out.

  • Meet a wide range of brothers, not just one or two
  • See the house and where you'd live
  • Ask anything — grades, dues, time commitment, all of it
03

Have real conversations

We want to get to know you, and you should grill us right back. The best fit comes from honest questions on both sides. There's a list of good ones below.

04

Receive a bid

If it's a match, we'll extend a bid — our formal invitation to join. Take your time; there's no pressure to accept on the spot.

05

New member period

Accept your bid and you become a new member. You'll learn Triangle's history and values, meet your pledge class, get paired with a Big Brother, and ease into chapter life — all while we protect your study time.

06

Initiation

Complete the new member period and you're initiated as a full Brother — for life. Welcome home.

Show up ready

What to expect on the day

What to wear

  • Casual events: just be comfortable — jeans, sneakers, a clean shirt. Boiler gear is always welcome.
  • Nicer events: business casual — a polo or button-down. We'll always tell you in advance.
  • When in doubt, ask. Nobody is judging your wardrobe.

What to bring

  • Yourself. That's the only requirement.
  • An appetite — food is usually involved.
  • Questions. The more you ask, the better your decision.
Common questions

Still wondering?

Do I have to be in engineering?

Triangle is for engineering, science (including math, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science), and architecture majors. If your major is STEM or architecture, you're eligible. Not sure if yours counts? Ask us — we'll tell you straight.

Do I have to live in the house?

The house holds up to 72 brothers and sits at 103 N University St — closer to most classes than the dorms. Live-in expectations vary by year and availability; we'll walk you through exactly what's expected before you ever commit.

What does it cost?

Dues cover housing, meals, chapter operations, and national membership. We'll give you the full, itemized breakdown during recruitment — no surprises, no hidden fees. Triangle is competitive with the cost of living in a dorm, and scholarships and payment plans exist.

Will it tank my grades?

The opposite is the whole point. Triangle organizes study groups by major, connects you with upperclassmen who've taken your classes, and protects study time during the new member period. Our chapters consistently rank in the top 10% for GPA.

What's your stance on hazing?

Zero tolerance, full stop. It contradicts everything Triangle stands for, and the new member period is about learning our history, building friendships, and getting set up to succeed — nothing else.

I'm shy / I don't know anyone. Is that okay?

Completely. Plenty of brothers walked in knowing no one. Come to one low-key event, talk to one person, and go from there. There's no script you have to perform.

Ready when you are

Come see the house

Drop your info and our recruitment chair will reach out with upcoming events and tour times. Got questions we didn't cover here? Reach out anytime — no commitment, just a conversation.

Email the rush chair → DM us on Instagram