rec letters

Not everyone gets a bid. That's just plain facts, because every house is required to cut a certain amount of girls every round. Recruitment letters are important, but there's a good chance that if you get a bid or if you get cut from a house, it had nothing to do with what it said in your rec letter. I'd suggest getting them just in case because I know some houses need rec letters in order to give you a bid, but if you don't have a letter it's not the end of the world. If the house really wants you, they will find a way to give you the bid without having already had a letter.

You should try to get a rec for every house because as far as I know you can't get a bid without it. All the houses can get an alum to write one if they want you badly enough, but why have them make that decision. Make it easy on them and do the work this summer. Ask around at church and check with your teachers. If you find an alum from one house, likely they will know other alums of other houses. It just takes time and effort to get recs in order.

Yes. Get a rec for every house. It's important.

Rec letters are nice to have but I've known people to get into top houses (including Gphi) without one