do you need a letter of rec even if you’re a legacy?

Get a rec for every single house. Don't count on your legacy house for a bid. They can drop you just like any other house. Your legacy connection could ask your legacy house recruitment chairman if you need a rec because this may differ by house. BTW, some girls mistakenly believe that aunts or cousins are a legacy connection but they aren't.

Recommendation forms have a place to note if a PNM is a legacy and some sororities have a separate legacy form to fill out in addition to the regular rec form. It is important for the chapter to have formal confirmation of legacy status. Sororities don’t have enough time to run a check thru their national offices when a PNM shows up claiming to be a legacy. In fact, it looks suspicious. We ask ourselves why a legacy rec was not sent in. BTW, different sororities have different legacy statuses. A few only count mother’s and sisters, others extend it out to grandmothers, and others count aunts and cousins. Your legacy member needs to look up her sorority’s policy to make sure you have a true legacy connection.

Legacy is not a guaranteed bid. Some sororities put more weight on it, but it also depends on how many are coming through. I would always recommend getting a rec letter, which wouldn’t be too hard hopefully if you are a legacy. Also some houses require a rec letter in some way so it is easier just to get one and not worry.