Would I be better off waiting until next year, or just go ahead and try spring rush? I realize it'll be harder with most sororities not participating, but as a freshman with a (hopefully) higher GPA rather than a sophomore be a better situation?

Panhellenic sets an average chapter size number. After Recruitment this Fall the number will be reset. Only chapters below the set average chapter size number may have Spring (Informal) Recruitment, so it remains to be seen if there will be any chapter having informal recruitment. You don't Register again, you just call Greek Affairs and let them know you are interested and see if they think you should make direct contact or not. Some years they have told PNMs to contact the Recruitment Directors personally. Your recommendations/letters of reference are good for one year. You won't need new ones until Fall 2015 if you decide to try your Sophomore year.

Just curious- because I'm not a super recruitment person- For "average chapter size", are they using the mean or the median? Or does that vary based on variance of chapter sizes on a given campus?

I've only seen median, and then either rounded up or down (can't remember) to the nearest 5, which would sometimes catch another chapter or two. I would image that mean would be too influenced by outlier chapters.

I've never asked about that but I will try to remember to ask next week during Recruitment workshop.

No idea how they do it at Ole Miss, but in general, here's what the MOI has to say:

In other words, the norm is to use the mean, but PHAs have other options that they may vote to use.