My freshman year roommate went through rush when I did, but she dropped out. I didn't know this because she lived in the same town & was getting ready @ her parents' house, rather than dealing with the dorm.
Anyway, when she fully moved in, she was obviously kind of jealous that I had pledged and she dropped out. But I didn't rub it in or anything.
During the year, we had sooo many talks about sorority life & she was determined to go through rush again her soph year.
I didn't see her during the summer & of course, we didn't live together for soph year, but when I saw her during rush, my eyes popped out of my head! She looked GORGEOUS and had this new confident attitude. She wasn't the shy girl from freshman year. Heck, I think she even dropped KD after the 2nd round! (Oh, the nerve!)
I was so happy for her when she pledged DG!
So yes, happiness can definitely be found after dropping out of rush!