Happygurl,
I know that it seems kind of cliche to say "You'll just know" what sorority is right for you. But it is SO true. Even thought you won't spend a ton of time at each house, you will be there long enough to get a feel for the type of girls who make up the chapter, and whether or not they are the kind of sisters you are looking for.
I asked myself the same questions you're asking now. I didn't think I'd be able to see who was being "fake" and who was real in such a short amount of time. But it was so much easier to figure out than I thought it would be! I walked out of the preference parties knowing exactly what sorority I wanted to be in, and knew in my heart that the girls I had talked with were genuine, down to earth people who were seriously interested in getting to know me.
As for how to tell what sorority has the most involved sisters on campus, the best way to find out is to ask them! No one will think twice about you asking what activities the chapter's sisters are involved in, what types of events the sorority participates in on campus, and what their philanthropy is. In fact, you'll probably score some points with the girls you speak to because you'll be showing that you're interested in learning about them as much as they're interested in learning about you!
I don't know how others are, but I do know that my chapter has a rule stating that sisters must be active in at least one non-Greek organization on campus (ex: Marketing Club member, soccer player, student council member, etc). Personally, I think it's a great rule to have because it ensures that each girl has the opportunity to be a leader outside of the sorority as well as inside. I believe other sororities may do similar things.
The best thing to do is to ask them if they encourage their members to participate in other activities outside of Greek Life. If they say yes, ask how many of their sisters actually do so.
Ask as many questions as you like, then go home and write down the differences between each house so that you can compare notes later in the week. That will help you sort out your feelings about each sorority and may help you to make a final decision after pref if you are torn between a couple of really good houses.
GOOD LUCK WITH RUSH!
