[UGAalum94]

Of course I don't really know, but I think if you want to downplay de-pledging then waiting until next year to attend rush events is the way to go.

Sure, you could get to know people at spring events, but you will have to explain why you can't take a bid; or worse yet, they won't ask YOU to explain it, but they will talk about it themselves and that's what you will be known for when you rush next year. ("oh, you know St3ph888; she's the girl from last spring that we met who couldn't join because she de-pledged her group last year.")

Everything varies from campus to campus, so you'd probably be better off asking members at your campus what you should do. If your campus is pretty casual and all six groups give out COB bids all year long every year, then they may not mind spending time rushing you when you can't join right now because they know they will still be looking next year. But if COB is only done by groups serious about getting to total this year who expect to make quota next fall, it's going to be a negative, I think.

OTW: thanks for posting the link. It put everything in a much clearer context.