I'm working on it now :). And thank you! Does anyone know when I should have my recommendations sent in? It seems really early to send them now. In addition, do pictures need to be included with them? Because I was planning to lose some weight and take professional photos in the summer and would prefer for those to be attached as to my senior portrait.

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Edit: I was also wondering how much sway current sororities members have. I was in a club with a girl who I know is in a sorority at USC, but I don't think she liked me. She was a little mean. When they receive my application, will they ask other girls in the sorority if they went to my high school and what their opinion of me was? And could that lead to me not getting a bid if things otherwise go well?

"Help" really isn't the word - "necessity" is more the word. Ask some of those women who wrote you the recs for the 5 sororities you have if they know people in the other 5 who can write recs for you as well. It's in your best interest to have a rec for every sorority. Keep asking family and friends!

Yes, they probably will. Yes, it could. Or they could all think she's an idiot and not pay attention to anything she says. Or she could have realized that she was a total beeeyotch in HS and will be your biggest cheerleader. You never know. If what you're asking is "can one girl's vote prevent me from being bid" - that is private membership selection information and not up for discussion here.

No one can tell you the importance of recs, just that it is a variable in a list of elements. The point with the recs is to check that box. I'd say 1 or 2 should be sufficient and since it seems you have a selection from which to choose, ask the women who know you the best and most personally.

Personal, active member references (friends) count A LOT. They aren't everything because when it all boils down, they're still just one vote. But having an advocate cannot be overestimated. That's among the reasons why being active on campus in clubs, study groups, intramurals, etc. is so valuable - you make friends by doing it.

Here is a link to info about recommendations at USC:
http://www.uscpanhellenic.com/letters-of-recommendation

As you'll see, now is actually not too early in regards to sororities accepting recs, but the deadline is August 15. You are off to a great start if you already have five! Someone familiar with USC recruitment is the best one to answer this, but for what it's worth, I send tons of recs to SEC schools as well as some in the ACC and few in the Big 10 -- it's typical to send them in the summer, after PNMs have their final GPAs, whether it's high school OR spring semester if they are already in college, either as a current student or one transferring in. Waiting until summer also allows any end-of-year activities/honors/awards to be included on the resume. (Beginning this year, though, I am making some modifications based on some great thoughts from some great ladies here at GC-- see end of post for explanation, after I've addressed your questions.)

In my part of the country, we advise two good recs per chapter. Yes, you do need to include a photo. A nice head shot or a classy casual shot -- think the style of senior pictures. No Glamour shots, trout pouts or swim suits! You want to present yourself nicely and you want to be recognizable. Sororities don't request a photo to rate you a 1 to 10 ; it's to help them remember you among the big sea of faces they meet during the week.

Finally, you need to provide your rec writers with a resume. Include everything, but emphasize leadership and service/volunteer work whether it is school, community, church or work sponsored. Though college GPA is what counts/is reported in the case of non-freshmen, most of the non-freshman PNMs I do recs for include a blend of college and high school activities on their resumes -- this just gives the sororities an idea of your interests, talents and background.

Hope this sheds a little light for you, but again, someone with direct experience with recs at USC may advise you better.

(Regarding the modifications: though I will still be sending recs in the summer, I plan to contact my chapter early about some PNMs and give them a heads-up that a rec will be coming. 1.) If the PNM is a current student; letting my chapter know that she is already on campus may get her on the radar a little earlier, and 2.) if the PNM is not currently on campus but planning to attend a voluntary pre-recruitment activity, like a Panhellenic Preview/info session in the spring. (Some schools host these). Again, letting them know she will physically be on campus during the event may get her on the radar sooner.)