UC Berkeley - Don't even worry about it
UCLA - It would be nice to have them and they are common enough, but not the end of the world if you can't get them
USC - Drop what you are doing and get recs now

Texas Tech was not mentioned in the Texas group. I suspect to stand a chance with most groups you need them.

;)

Oh I didn't realize the Big XII was split in the first post now.
You need them at Mizzou. I can't speak for the rest of the Big XII North

I would guess KU, KState and to some extent Nebraska would lean more towards having them than not. At Iowa State they're definitely helpful and appreciated, but it doesn't necessarily negatively impact your recruitment if you don't have them. Have no clue about CU.

Not that important at CU. They help, but not that much.

DePauw, perhaps? I would think that since this school is quite competitive for a small school, having a rec would be to the PNM's benefit.

They weren't when I went through rush but I'm hearing that it's become almost mandatory.

I'm under the impression that recs are becoming increasingly important/necessary at Washington & Lee. Does anyone have any insight?

Of the 3 Big Ten schools of which I'm pretty familiar, I'd say it's in a PNM's best interest to try and get recs at Northwestern. This is mainly because recruitment is deferred, and if you don't already know a handful of women in each house, recs may help. A significant percentage (near 40) of students are Greek at NU, and I'm sure the majority of them did not have rec letters, but if you don't already know a ton of folks in all the chapters, you're going to want to get those introduction letters.
So, in short, I'd stick NU on the "Up For Debate" list

Does anyone have more info about other UC's? I've heard UCLA and Cal, as well as Merced and Santa Cruz mentioned, but I'm curious about the more middle-tier ones, like SB, Davis, Irvine, etc. Just because I'm going to one in the fall and I know a lot of girls who are going to UCs, too. Also maybe SDSU, Northridge or Long Beach? Thanks! :)

No. It's helpful at DPU, but not required.

Okay, so I'll be headed to Washington and Lee next year, and I just really want to know what exactly i should have/how many recs and which pictures I should send in.

I'm from Texas and I was prepping for UT rush just in case, so now I think that I have way more than is needed. I talked to a person in charge there and she told me that she could always tell the Texas girls from the size of their envelopes...but she didn't tell me what I specifically needed. I'll probably call her later this week, but here's what I have:

Portraits: full length, 3/4 length, headshot, and wallet size professional pictures
Social resume completed
transcripts and SAT/ACT scores on hand
at least three people who will write a good letter of rec for each sorority

any advice? Thanks!

As far as I know most of the mid-level UC's and all the CSU's I know of don't really do recs. I am sure they take them but it will not hurt you if you do not have them. Please correct me if I am wrong. I know at SJSU you do not need recs at least right now.