advise for older pnms?

Contact the Panhel or Greek Life office, and ask for the numbers of Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors getting bids each year. That will give you an idea.

When you are rushing as a sophomore or junior, it is critical that you have friends (friends, not acquaintances) in the chapters who will speak up for you during membership selection. Even then, it's not a given.

As with any PNM, it depends on what you have to bring to the table, but the more advanced your class standing, the more that will be expected of you. Realistically, if you are rushing as an average junior, you are probably looking at a lower-tier sorority, and as a sophomore, at a mid-tier (although you may, of course, do better.) Keep your expectations realistic and you can likely get a bid and a wonderful sisterhood. Just know that you will likely have to endure some painful cuts to get there.