[DubaiSis]

No, it's not inappropriate. Use all resources you can. If it's not someone you know well, offer to get together for coffee or whatever she would like to do, and then send a thank you afterwards. She will probably want to at least meet, and by doing so you will increase your chances of a thorough and more personal recommendation.

I think, and someone could correct me here, but on the first day of rush, you could make a small comment (without making a huge deal about it or going on and on) that you had to drop out because of a family issue and you were really disappointed and you hoped none of the sororities took it as something against them. And then move onto the weather or their philanthropy or whatever. You've said it, move on. Then if it IS discussed in MS, it can be discounted right away.

But the girls you know in the chapters are far and away your best support. Make sure the girls you know already know that you're going through and (again, not hanging crepe over it) why you dropped out the first time. And by the way, if any of them are doing an informal rush this spring (maybe too late now for that?) I would do what Ellebud said and see if you can't take advantage of that instead of waiting for the fall. You got to see all the houses in the fall and you know the chapters are all good, so if one has a spot for you now, I'd jump at it.