How do I not make this awkward?

[Gusteau]

OK, first of all, you're rush did not have the "worst possible outcome" because you got a bid somewhere.

Depending on campus culture, I don't think it would be awkward to call up the third fraternity. Your post leads me to believe that the groups on your campus are conducting a dynamic continuous recruitment where they are constantly meeting people and recruiting them (and by recruiting I mean becoming friends with them, not handing out bids year round). If they are recruiting like this, I wouldn't be surprised if they contacted you to grab lunch soon. However, things do get very busy with a new pledge class and some chapter members forget that recruitment does not end, so if it's what you really want I don't see any reason not to take matters into your own hands.

I would also recommend that you go to the second fraternity's chapter meeting. I only knew a few of the brothers going into rush, and for some reason I did not think I would get along with the ones I did not already know. This turned out to be a completely untrue snap judgment. I am very close with a lot of those guys who I originally thought I wouldn't want to hang out with.

I don't think you should feel guilty for choosing a fraternity that is right for you, but I do think you will feel guilty for not giving #2 a fair chance.