How Important are Summer Rush Events??

First of all, I want to say that I have used the search option to look for existing threads on this topic, but none answered my questions, specifically.

I was mainly wondering how important summer rush events are to a PNM's chances at a school like Auburn. I'm a freshman right now and will be transferring to Auburn for Fall of '09 and I'm definitely going through rush. I have read on other threads that it is a good thing to do your research and narrow down your interests to a select few, which I definitely have (one in particular that I'm very interested in), while I am still keeping an open mind. Will having a good idea of where I'd like to end up, ahead of time help me? It's also probably important to point out, I don't know any guys in the fraternities at Auburn and none of my friends are planning to go through rush with me.

Any advice would help.