[twhrider13]

I go to a rather small school in the South as well, so I thought that I might be able to help you out here. What everyone has told you here is the truth, but I'm going to add a thing or two.

As far as sororities' remembering you from last year: On my campus, maybe 100 girls go through recruitment every year. The only girl I truly remember (other than our own girls, of course) is the one girl who was incredibly rude to me. I vaguely remember some faces, but that's about it. I'm sure other people have better memories than me, but unless you left a seriously bad taste in someone's mouth, I kind of doubt you'll be remembered as "that girl." On the other hand, you might have been dropped from the sororities because you were considered a grade risk. (I know that none of us know for certain why ANYONE was dropped, but I'm just speculating here.) If they do remember dropping you as a grade risk, their seeing your academic improvement is probably going to cast a more favorable light on you, IMHO.

Also, recs are a good thing. If you feel like you have a different outlook on things this year, I would say take the chance. I'm not going to tell you, "Oh, the sororities will absolutely love you and beat down your door to have you as a member," but I would think that if you're remembered at all, they would notice the improvements, both grades- and personality-wise, and consider them. Just my $.02!