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Having watched this process twice, at Auburn, my best advice is to start now reaching out to your contacts (usually older guys from your high school, any friends/family, etc.) to tell them you are interested in rushing. You can send in your name to the IFC website during the spring and you will get contacted by additional fraternities. Cast a wide net. Ultimately, you're going to spend a lot of weekends next summer going to rush events. Don't accept the first bid you get - but when you know, don't wait around and look like you're trying to "do better." At Auburn, your best chance at a bid is to get one in the summer, not at formal rush in the early fall, although YMMV.
Your decision factors are candidly immature. And history shows nearly every time rushees make their decision based on the decision factors recited in your email, that they are inactive/dropped out/disappointed by the time graduation rolls around. There is only one factor that matters: whether you see yourself becoming close friends with majority of the chapter. And then hope you're right about it. In a related matter, evaluate the other rushees - some will be with you for 4 years.
In rush, no one really cares about the "stuff" you mention. Sure, to some extent, its just the price of admission. You can't show up in cargo jorts in many places and expect to make the bidlist. The rush chairmen will be looking at you to see if they like you. Be good natured, fun and funny (without forcing it). You want them to say "he's a great guy." From there its pure Dale Carnegie in making people like you. Get actives to talk about themselves; ask interesting questions; remember names; act like you're comfortable in the environment. Frankly, from your question, it sounds like you might need to be reminded: don't brag about yourself, no one cares about your high school sports and partying exploits, don't bring up money or your family; don't hit on actives' girlfriends; don't talk about other fraternities; don't be "THAT guy" (the guy who threw up from drinking, the guy who got into a fight, the guy who eschewed silverware at dinner.....)
All of this conduct also applies if you're on campus while you're still in high school. I know a great kid that could never get any attention during rush from a particular fraternity based on his behavior at their fraternity party while still in high school. Think no one will remember? Think again. Actually, these visits can work to your advantage if you can make the right (non-DB) impression.
Fraternity rush has no real rules and is something of a free-for-all: you might go to one rush event or four before you get a bid, or you might never; when you get a bid, there is a lot of pressure to accept it on the spot; even if you accept a bid, its not unheard of for rushees to change their mind; and even if you accept a bid and later show your ass, don't be surprised for the bid to be withdrawn.
Fraternity rush is very different from sorority rush, but one thing that GC-ers have pointed out about sorority rush is also true about fraternities: its only partially your choice; the organizations have a very good idea about whether and where you will fit in. Just because you think you are a first round draft choice doesn't mean you are.
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