Bama Rush Week is currently underway at the University of Alabama, and this year’s potential new members (PNMs) are back to capturing the attention of TikTok users.

The young women hoping to join the sororities are amassing large followings and garnering millions of views as they post their journey leading up to Bid Day, the moment they learn which sorority they’ll join.

In fact, the excitement surrounding Bama Rush has even led to the creation of a documentary titled “Bama Rush: Acceptance Is Everything,” which debuted on the Max streaming platform in May 2023.

But why does Bama Rush capture so much attention every year?

The Origins of #BamaRush

Videos showcasing sorority rush at UA skyrocketed in popularity on TikTok in 2021, as the hashtags #bamarush and #alabamarush attracted millions of views in subsequent years. This year, many fans are referring to it as “Season 4.” A key highlight each year is the highly anticipated OOTD, or “outfit of the day,” where participants flaunt their fashionable outfits that often feature items from upscale brands like Hermès, enewton, and David Yurman, along with Golden Goose sneakers, Gold Hinge tennis skirts, Lululemon gear, and accessories from Amazon.

The Role of OOTD in Bama Rush

Courtney White, Esq., a lawyer from Houston, Texas, has been sharing her insights about the PNMs on TikTok for three years. An alumna of Texas A&M University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., White emphasizes that the opinions she shares are her own, not representative of her sorority.

As a fashion enthusiast, White appreciates the evolution of Bama Rush each year.

“I love how Bama Rush continues to evolve. The outfits seem more relatable in what the girls are wearing and sharing,” said White.

After noticing the trending #bamarush and #alabamarush on TikTok, White felt inspired to create content around the OOTDs.

“I started watching towards the end of the first year, but really got into it during the second year,” she recalled. “I made a video saying, ‘I’m an adult but I can’t stop watching these Bama Rush OOTD videos because they’re so fun and the outfits are adorable.’”

“I had no idea that video would become popular, but I kept sharing content about it,” she added.

White views Bama Rush as a valuable experience for young women, fostering friendships and an enjoyable college experience, all while creating engaging content.

“Many girls are securing brand partnerships. For instance, altar’d state is particularly reaching out. A lot of these young ladies are becoming influencers and entrepreneurs thanks to Bama Rush,” she observed.

Bama Rush and Brand Collaborations

An example of this is Kylan Darnell, who gained fame as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha after her viral TikTok during Bama Rush in 2022.

“After I posted my first rush TikTok, I woke up to a flood of notifications,” Darnell shared. “My mom was like, ‘Have you seen your TikTok?’ I gained around 100,000 followers overnight. Brands began reaching out, and I started landing brand deals and making money—a whirlwind experience. It was surreal.”

What to Expect for Bama Rush Week 2024

The women participating in this year’s Bama Rush will soon discover their sorority destinies during Bid Day. This annual recruitment event at the University of Alabama is slated for Sunday, Aug. 18 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of the university’s football team. There, thousands of participants will learn which sorority has welcomed them into their ranks, as reported by Tuscaloosa News, part of the YSL News Network.

On this day, they will receive manila envelopes to be opened simultaneously. They will then excitedly “run home” to their newly accepted sorority houses. Here’s a timeline leading up to Bid Day:

• Convocation
• Open House
• Philanthropy (Days 1-3)
• Sisterhood (Days 1-3)
• Preference Day

The upcoming events include Sisterhood Day 3 on Friday, Aug. 16, and Preference Day on Saturday, Aug. 17.

During Convocation, Open House, and Philanthropy Days 1-3, attendees typically wear casual outfits. On Philanthropy Day, everyone dons matching UA Panhellenic shirts, pairing them with stylish bottoms and jewelry for flair. However, for Sisterhood Days 1-3 and Preference Day, participants are expected to dress formally. Finally, on Bid Day, they’ll return to a relaxed look as they jubilantly rush to their new, lifelong sorority homes.

The new members eagerly arrive to meet their sorority sisters, excited to put on shirts, hats, and other items featuring the Greek letters of their sorority.

Bama Rush: Meet the aspiring sorority members

A quick search for Bama Rush on TikTok reveals many potential new members sharing their outfits of the day as they prepare for various events throughout Bama Rush Week.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the remarkable young women who are sharing their journey during what is being called “Season 4” of Bama Rush. Let’s send our best wishes to them as they approach Bid Day on Sunday!