[DubaiSis]

1. Competitive is relative. At virtually all schools around the country now (IU excluded) the RFM system means that unless you don't make grades or you do really poorly in the rush process, you should find a home. The trick is being open to the chapters who are open to you. Competition generally means there is a big fight for a select number of chapters. Even at the most competitive schools (again, IU excluded) a very small percentage of girls will get cut completely out of rush for a reason other than grades.
Is UW going to FEEL like the most competitive rush in the country to you? YES.
2-I'm not an AGD. Hopefully one will pop up here. Each sorority has different definitions of Legacy. You can find a thread here that spells out all or most of them and their differences.
5. UW takes this into consideration. Although not that many girls get cut completely from rush, plenty drop out and therefore need campus housing.
6. You should take advantage of any opportunities you have to meet the gals in advance and start to wrap your mind around what Greek Life is.
8. I would stay in the dorms with the other girls. It will heighten your experience. But others would say stay off campus so you can sort of shake off the intensity. When you live it, breathe it, sleep it for a week you do tend to take it more personally than if you could walk away from it for a couple hours a day. But it's a great way to meet other high strung, nervous, in the same boat as you girls.