[OtterXO]

Well assuming that the chapter doesn't know your reason for de-pledging was for status and not really financial reasons, it probably couldn't hurt to reach out to the old chapter again. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you would be able to re-pledge at that chapter in the spring since your bid card obligated you to that chapter in the fall - assuming they were open to it.

I don't know how other chapters will take that if you go through formal recruitment again. It depends on how much they know and how you are able to spin it. Generally chapters aren't jazzed to take a NM who de-pledged from another chapter, no matter what the reason for de-pledging. And please know that no matter what school, cuts are generally heavier for sophomores and a lot heavier for those who have gone through recruitment before. You need to accept that you may not end up in a house at all before deciding to go through formal recruitment again.