[victoriana]

If you are making significant improvements where you felt you lacked last time, things could turn out better for you this time. It's a good thing that you're working on improving your confidence. If you go in feeling good about yourself, you won't be as nervous and you can focus on what's really important. After reading your post, I'm a bit concerned that you may put too much stock in your appearance. You can be the best-dressed girl at recruitment, but if you lack personality and conversational skills, that means nothing. Make sure you're working on your communication skills over the summer. You want to make the best first impression possible, and your appearance is only part of that battle. Your conversations are the single most important thing about recruitment. It's also important that you have a GPA above the minimum requirement (usually a 2.5) and extracurricular involvement from last year.

I know you've heard this before, but go in with an open mind. I know you had some past experiences with the "top" chapter, but don't focus only on them. Be prepared for cuts, especially from "top" chapters since you are a sophomore re-rushing. I'm not saying you are guaranteed to get cut, but it is a possibility that you need to prepare for. The "awkward, weak" sororities may be all you have left. Keep in mind that a chapter's reputation isn't everything, and that it is subjective. You're going through recruitment to find the chapter with a sisterhood that is the best fit for you, regardless of its reputation. The best advice I can give you is to put reputations and tiers out of your mind and go in willing to accept any of the chapters that invite you back.

That being said, I re-rushed as a sophomore and got my happy ending. Was it easy? No. I was faced with some tough cuts, but I stuck with it and I ended up where I was meant to be. You can read my story if you want. Best of luck to you!