question regarding chances of a bid

You have like 3 months to go over to the houses you're interested in. Introduce yourself, let them know you may be interested in rushing, and get a feel for a few houses. If you spend some quality time there this semester, get to know the guys, they like you, and you don't do anything stupid while you're there, you won't have a problem. Simple as that.

Getting a bid to a big fraternity is not difficult. You pretty much have one week to be a stand out during rush week. Some of what we consider "middle tier" fraternities are a little more selective. Make sure you find like 2 or 3 houses you are interested in, and devote your time to getting to know some of the brothers.

Couldn't disagree more, top houses are much more selective, even if they take more people. They obviously see a lot more numbers during rush and just because they take more guys, doesn't make it easier to get a bid.

I agree. It's not hard at all if you are a decent guy and don't look like a scrub. Just get to know people. It's easy here. There's probably like 4 or 5 fraternities that are more selective, but you will be alright.

Top houses usually bid 15-25% of kids who come through. Definitely try to start to meet people 3 months or so in advance, and not just at parties, but mainly non-party situations. It's just as easy/hard in the spring; with less people coming through rush, the houses will bid less kids, but the same 15-25% ratio.

Seems most of the fraternities don't have any open parties right now, at least not lately. Seems a little weird to just randomly show up at the houses. How can I visit the houses before the next rush period?

Contact the rush chairs, alot of chapters have facebook pages and groups they used for rush in the fall, and they shouldnt be to hard to still find