Here's a perspective from both the north AND the south!
I'm from the north (NY area), but went to a school in the south (University of Florida.) Here's a whole different spin on rush at a SEC school:
Being from the north, I knew literally NOTHING about sororities and fraternities. I knew zero about the so-called prestige and reputations of this house vs. that, I knew nothing about recs, I didn't even know what the heck rush was!
I had a ton of friends in the dorm, and didn't pay much attention to the Greek system. But in my junior year- a friend of mine decided she wanted to go through rush and asked me to go with her. I wasn't really interested, but I finally gave in and said.. "OK, why not?"
I was totally not interested in joining a sorority, I had no recs, I didn't even dress like the southern girls (being a yankee-- we wear a lot of black, not sundresses!) I was so clueless about the greek system, at one lull in the conversation while I was being rushed, I asked a sister what one of the symbols on their shield meant! I couldn't understand why her face went alabaster!
At the parties, I was myself. I put on no airs, and I tried to impress noone. I was there just keeping my buddy company. But I found the parties a lot of fun, and enjoyed meeting new people.
To my surprise, I was invited back by quite a few houses. Here I was, this yankee from the NY area who wasn't a campus queen, but a tom-boy judo athlete skateboarder. Yet, I was totally accepted for being me.
After round one, to my surprise, I found myself VERY impressed with what I saw. I thought the Greek women were super. The more questions I asked them about Greek life, the more interested I became. I was especially impressed with the ZTA house at UF. And sure enough, I got a bid from ZTA!
So... I guess, sometimes ignorance IS bliss! I was totally unprepared for rush, yet look how it turned out! My experience at UF in Zeta was absolutely amazing. Who would of thunk?
I hope that this will put to rest some of the myths related to SEC sororities and rush. No, you don't have to have recs... you don't even have to have a french manicure (you should see my nails from playing judo!!)
And, playing off what someone else said, "Yes, southern rush is glitzy, be we "northerners" wouldn't have it any way!"