informal

Not all chapters do informal.
Those doing informal might only have a few spots open.
You are competing against others in the same boat.

none of the top chapters are doing informal, so....

You'll be in a lot smaller pledge class, anywhere from 4-15. You'll get to know everyone really well, but if you don't like some of them it's not that big of a deal b/c the rest of the sorority will also be trying to get to know you. Informal rush is a LOT easier. You'll probably go on a sprite date or two, and then the chapter will decide to give you a bid or not. Depending on the formal pledge class size and other logistics, your big might be the same age as you or already have a little. For a lot of chapters you'll need a rec letter from an alum or someone active in the chapter, or they won't consider you at all.

Bottom line: if you know Greek life is for you, try informal. You can always go through formal again but the more you go through, your odds go down.

No chapters will know if they are doing informal until PHA sets fall total in September. If a chapter has a real large Senior Class, even a top tier may take a few new members but those likely will be hand-picked friends.

We might see more do Informal since some chapters had a hard time staying at total due to Gamma Phi's recruitment and there may be a few that are under total. There were chapters that hit quota but weren't at total. Give or take a few under total is no big deal when total is 157 but if you are 20 under right now, a chapter will definitely need to do informal.

A lot of chapters had a hard time staying at total after Formal. Some did ok with COB and others didn't.