For where to get recs?

[Carpe Aeternum]

I'm a sophomore transfer to a southern school with deferred recruitment. It's not SEC-style competitive: the general thought is that most freshman can get a bid to a sorority, but there are some that are extremely competitive to get into. Sophomores can get bids, but not as often. I am very realistic about the situation: a sophomore, with no legacy, no close friends in the Greek system, average GPA. I would be honored to be invited to join any one of my campus's great sororities. I am determined, above all, to keep an open mind and not listen to tent talk.

I have been working for quite some time (since the beginning of the summer) to secure recs for each house. My local panhellenic has graciously agreed to secure me recs for about 1/3 of my school's sororities, any ones I should choose. The concern: I have found out everything I can about each house here, realistically. Although not close to any Greek women here, I have seen the girls- mostly in academic settings- interact with each other and with others. I know the general reputation of each group- although I am determined not to let that sway my decisions. There are a couple that, going in, I feel will likely not be strong matches for me. I have eliminated those from the ones I will choose for panhel-secured recs.

My question is this: Given recs to 1/3 of the houses, what criteria would you recommend to choose them? I have conflicting thoughts: if I secure them for competitive houses, where they are more needed, they would give me a boost... but then again, as a sophomore, with no connections, they might essentially be a waste. Then again, if I secure them for less competitive groups, they might not have been needed to begin with. Again, I have no groups in mind that I specifically want very much to join. Should I just ignore these factors, find out what I can about each chapter on a national and campus level, and choose the ones I like regardless of the likelihood of a sophomore being given a bid?

After choosing for which houses to ask my local panhel for recs, I will continue to try to secure recs for the other houses. These are just a group of houses where I can be guaranteed a rec. Recs are not at all common at my school, and are by no means considered necessary.