*.✧ FALL 2026 Recruitment Schedule ✧.*
You must attend one General Interest Meeting (GIM) and at least two other events to qualify for an interview!
Rally and Mingle
Sept 15 | 7:00–8:30pm
General Interest Meeting I
Come learn all about who we are and what makes our sisterhood special at our first GIM with love from Kappas to you!
Location: Lerner 569
Court Connections
Sept 16 | 7:00–8:30pm
Sisterhood Event
Decorate coasters with us and learn more about what makes our sisterhood so special!
Location: Lerner 569
Love and Serve
Sept 17 | 7:00–8:30pm
Community Service Event
Spread some love and cheer to patients at a local hospital by creating heartfelt letters of encouragement! Come write and share a little kindness with those who need it most.
Location: Lerner 569
Team Spirit
Sept 18 | 7:00–8:30pm
Cultural with VSA
Join us and VSA for a night celebrating Vietnamese culture through games, chè, and community.
Location: Lerner 569
The Main Draw
Sept 21 | 7:00–8:30pm
General Interest Meeting II
Come meet the lovely sisters of Kappas and get a chance to connect at our second and final General Interest Meeting with warm regards from all of us.
Location: Lerner 569
Mixed Doubles
Sept 22 | 7:00–8:30pm
Social with ΛΦΕ
Join us for a scavenger hunt with Lambda Phi Epsilon and may the best team win!
Location: Lerner 569
Wild Card
Sept 23 | 7:00–8:30pm
Invite Only
Our invite-only event will be filled with sweet treats and fun adventures! Rush chairs will send out invitations by email.
Location: TBA
Match Point
Sept 24 | Time TBA
Interviews
Thank you for joining us for rush!
Thank you for joining us for rush! To qualify for an interview, you must attend 1 GIM and 2 additional events. Rush chairs will reach out with more info.
*.✧ Coffee Chat Sign-Up ✧.*
Looking to connect with a sister one-on-one? Sign up for a Kappas Coffee (or should we say 'Koffee' 🤔) Chat! Whether you're curious about the sisterhood or want to bond over shared career/personal interests, these casual chats are the perfect way to get to know a sister on a more personal level. Take a break, sip some coffee (or boba!), and discover new connections!
*.✧ Frequently Asked Questions ✧.*
What is recruitment/rush?
Recruitment is a period of time at the beginning of each semester where organizations (sororities, fraternities, and co-ed fraternities) recruit new members. Our rush is a two week period of FREE social events and activities that provide opportunities for sisters and interested girls to hang out and have fun! Through these diverse events, you will better understand who we are, what we do, and what our chapter is like. Our events are designed with you in mind - there are NO obligations or commitments tied to attending any event. So, come out, be yourself, and meet us!
Why rush Kappa Phi Lambda?
Kappa Phi Lambda is a cultural sorority founded on the pillars of sisterhood, service, and cultural diversity. As the only Asian-interest sorority on the Columbia/Barnard campus, we work to promote Pan-Asian culture in our community, contribute to our community through service and philanthropy, while upholding academic excellence. Bound together by love, shared selflessness, and drive, we are more than close friends; we're a family away from home!
Through Kappa Phi Lambda, you will develop essential leadership, time-management, and professional skills from the diverse cultural, community service, fundraising and philanthropy events we host and participate in. Your college career will be enriched by the fun sisterhood bondings and mixers/parties. Lastly, you will have infinite opportunities to network with over 3000 sisters across the nation, as well as with our incredibly accomplished alumnae in diverse fields (i.e. Deloitte, CitiGroup, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Columbia Dental School, SIPA, etc.), and receive personal, one-on-one mentorship from your Big Sister.
Do I have to be Asian/Asian-American to join Kappa Phi Lambda?
Absolutely not! Kappa Phi Lambda is Asian-interest, NOT Asian-exclusive. We have many different nationalities represented within Kappa Phi Lambda, and as a cultural sorority, we encourage diversity. We believe recognizing individual members for the unique value they add makes us greater as a whole.
What is a bid and how do I get one?
A bid is a formal invitation to you to begin the Potential New Member Process for our sorority. To be eligible for a bid, you must attend 1 GIM (General Interest Meeting) and at least 2 rush events! We give bids to women who we believe will be an asset to our organization and with whom we feel we can foster the bonds of sisterhood.
What is the new member process like?
Our new member process is focused on professional development and personal growth! During this time, potential new members (PNMs) are educated about the history, traditions, pillars, and secrets of the sorority. We also provide opportunities for class bonding, cultural education, and bonding with the sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda. We will never force you to drink or do things you are not comfortable with - our new member process is a DRY process. The new member process is a period where you not only learn about us, but also about yourself and your potential line sisters. It is meant to be a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience.
Will I be hazed during the new member process?
The Sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. and Columbia University do not condone hazing in any form. We strongly believe in a positive new member education! We would never humiliate or harm you in any way because that is not how we believe future members of our organization and sisterhood should be treated.
Will my academic performance be affected by the new member process?
Kappa Phi Lambda aims for academic excellence, which is one of our founding principles. This process should in no way take precedence over your classes. We understand that you are Columbia students and that we are all at this institution first and foremost to receive an Ivy League education. We provide ample time for schoolwork, and we also provide academic assistance if needed. We have sisters who have done their very best academically while they were undergoing their new member process.
How much does it cost to be a sister?
While each sister does have to pay dues, our dues are actually the lowest amongst Greek life at Columbia. Dues also pay forward for travel expenses for national conventions and conferences. As a non-profit organization, we hold many fundraisers and events to raise money. We would never want money to be the reason you miss out on Sisterhood!