Question about Recs

[TotalNewbe]

My User name says it all. I did not go greek and now my DD is interested in rushing.
She is attending a school that no one in my or DH's family has any connection more than halfway across the country.

I have friends that can, and will, write her recommendations but how do we find out if they are important at her school?

She decided last minute when she realized that the girls she was meeting and really liking were all going through rush, that she too would rush.

Ack! I don't know how to help her (except to emphasize clean pressed clothes, maintaining a positive cheerful attitude, as well as keeping an open mind about each house she visits) and I'm wondering if I need to scramble to get some recs quickly.

And as a second question, most of my friends that would happily step up and write a rec are all from the same house, DGs.

Okay, I just thought of a third rec question, my mom suggested I contact my cousin from across the country and ask her for a rec. She stayed with us a week last November for an uncle's funeral, but she had only met my daughter once before that. Is it being too forward to ask her to write a rec for my daughter? She wasn't a DG and the only Theta I really know.

Rush starts in two days!! Arg! I just (like any other mother) want her to have the best chance to make the most of her rush experience but I am so out of my element.

Help please!