You've probably heard about the TikTok phenomenon #bamarush that overtook the app in August 2021. As a refresher: Freshmen at the University of Alabama who were "rushing" its sororities posted all about the incredibly competitive process on TikTok, giving us an inside look at what it takes to get into a sorority at the Greek-centric southern school. Now, Max (formerly HBO Max) has released a documentary called Bama Rush that takes viewers even deeper into the emotional experience. It follows four women as they prepare for sorority rush in 2022, exploring everything from rush consultants (yes, they're a thing!) to the deep struggles of womanhood.
At the height of the viral sensation, there was tons to ogle online, from #OOTDs (that's outfit of the day for the uninitiated) to pledge videos to confusing and even near-cultish rituals. Moreover, practically all the participants appeared to be white and almost all blonde. But what really stood out for us was the houses. With the average membership fees of $7,000 to $7,500 per semester including room and board, these aren't your average college dorms; they're actual mansions. Most run about 40,000 square feet so that there's room for every member to attend meetings and eat meals and for 70 or more members to live on-site. And since the University of Alabama's sorority membership is one of the largest in the country (more than 2,000 women in 24 sororities), the school really invests in them. Most of its sorority houses underwent massive renovations between 2015 and 2016, with upgrades costing in the millions. (Yes, you read that right.)
Forget the standard issue desk and bunk. Instead, think spiral staircases, marble floors, high-end designer wallpaper, and chandeliers literally sent over from some of the fanciest hotels in the country. Below are the 15 most extravagant University of Alabama sorority houses, which (trust us) are probably way nicer than your adult apartment.
Phi Mu
Perhaps the most outrageous of the bunch, the Phi Mu house cost a whopping $13 million to build. This nearly 40,000 square-foot, Neoclassical-style house is literally a mansion with sleek marble floors, a grand piano in the foyer (naturally!), and a stunning chandelier that originally came from (get this) The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Now if that isn’t royalty, I don't know what is.
Zeta Tau Alpha
This grand three-story house features a wraparound porch with outdoor TVs for warm-weather entertaining and (naturally) football watching, plus a floating staircase that'll make any architecture majors look twice in amazement. Gothic balconies add to the indoor-outdoor living vibes.
Gamma Phi Beta
There is a literal movie room in this pretty white wooden house, which also has a chic dining room for the 72 (lucky!) members who get to live there. There are fluffy sofas for relaxing and a white study den for some zen.
Alpha Phi
Fluffy velvet couches, a massive outdoor seating area, a kitchen area equipped with a juicer and an espresso machine, a projector room, a TV lounge—yeah, we need to watch the new Gossip Girl in this house.
Delta Zeta
Featuring gorgeous floral wallpaper in the living room, this house looks like something out of a fairytale. There's even a game-day porch equipped with fans to fend off the scorching southern heat and a library Belle from Beauty and the Beast would swoon over.
Delta Gamma
With both formal and informal living rooms, a boardroom-like study area, spotless marble floors, and so many chandeliers your head will spin, this sorority house is all kinds of chic.
Alpha Chi Omega
With metallic accents, velvet furniture, soft rugs, and Greek-style touches like ancient busts and a wooden harp on the wall, you'll feel like you've been transported back to the days of Hercules in the over-the-top Alpha Chi Omega home.
Kappa Delta
Each room is perfectly color coordinated in this 40,000-square-foot mansion: A green sitting room with metallic accents juxtaposes perfectly with a gray and white sitting area, while the entrance has a stunning marble staircase with steel beams and a wood entryway. Talk about style.
Pi Beta Phi
Wide white columns stand out against the brick exterior of the Pi Beta Phi house, while the inside boasts checkered marble floors, arched doorways, and crystal and glass chandeliers in every room for a total Crown-like experience.
Alpha Gamma Delta
White doors and cabinets, green and blue sofas, a chic study lounge, and soft cloud-like beds make the Alpha Gamma Delta house appear more like a classy spa than college housing. The double-height portico on the front façade isn't bad, either!
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Kappa Alpha Theta
Cozy white rugs, high ceilings, a trendy spiral staircase, and a literal banquet room—they aren't kidding in the Kappa Alpha Theta house. It's a cozy paradise that feels like a really fancy castle.
Sigma Delta Tau
Though more understated than some of the more gargantuan houses at 'Bama, the Sigma Delta Tau house is no slouch with its pretty white balconies, built-in shelves, huge flat-screen TVs, and light lavender walls for a feminine, yet polished feel.
Alpha Omicron Pi
The Alpha Omicron Pi house is nicknamed the AOPalace, so you know it's legit. The rooms are massive and entirely carpeted with built-in vanity areas, and the formal living area features an intricately carved coffee table, a built-in white fireplace, and vintage white chandeliers. See? They weren't kidding.
Chi Omega
This three-story house has sleek marble columns, the biggest backyard you've ever seen, balconies on each floor, and colorful wallpaper we can't stop staring at. It sleeps a whopping 82 sisters, who (naturally) regularly stop for photo ops near the overarching facade.
Tri Delta
Appropriate to its name, the Tri Delta house has three stories and an entrance made up of three archways, along with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and picnic tables galore. All the better for some alfresco dining.
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