[adpiucf]

In my opinion, a rec at a non-SEC or less competitive recruitment is simply a matter of making the PNM more visible. If an alumna took the time to write a letter of recommendation, you're going to remember that girl's name and maybe take some extra time to get to know her.

At the SEC schools, not having a rec is one way to weed someone out.

In either case, a rec won't guarantee a bid. A chapter can't possibly reject a woman because an alumna sent in an official sorority form endorsing her for membership. At worst, they throw it away because they don't know what to do with it. (But I certainly hope they have advisers and handbooks to properly guide them). At best, they remember the PNM's name and when she comes through the door, there is a flash of recognition: Oh, that's the girl who came with a recommendation. It's like being the girl who is president of a campus organization, or the girl who holds a pageant title, or the girl who has a reputation for being a drunk and making a fool of herself. It's just a bit more recall.

I'm not going to press someone to seek recs if they have no interest. My point is that even on a campus where they are not the norm, they have value to help promote the PNM. Other sororities perhaps may also factor them in as part of their selection analysis, and perhaps others do not.