How exciting!! I think it is great that you are coming into college life with plenty of good impressions about Greek Life. Your parents deserve pats on their backs for showing that sisterhood/brotherhood is for life.
I rushed at a small school, but I didn't pledge there (long story). Anyway, there were only four NPC sororities at my school, but Rush was still a very dynamic time. All of sororities put balloons on every sister's dorm window, so the whole campus was filled with Greek colors! Letters were everywhere! It was hard not to get into the excitement of the week. The recruitment process was pretty competitive, but nothing like what I've read about big Southern schools!! However, with so few sororities, it was absolutely possible to cut yourself out of Rush altogether. I don't say that to scare you; I just want to advise you to keep a VERY open mind. If you are in the position to cut houses, do what is right in your heart, not what is right in your circle of friends. If you stay true to yourself, you will find your new home
Good luck!!
Erica