top tier and being an oos harder?

Your chances OOS without connections are weak for the old most popular ones, but there are some good groups that will probably like you. Don't listen to people that tell you to trust the process, blah, blah, blah. A lot of girls have contacts from Atlanta high schools and old friends and legacies, so don't hold your breath. You will meet new girls and like houses that surprise you. Don't listen to all the BS about certain houses. The srats are huge so there are all kinds of girls in each house. Just find people you click with and hope for that. Unless you are somehow AMAZING or have connections it really does suck and you will get cut from a lot, but just don't get too caught up in the pressure. Also if you don't know this about Athens since you are OOS most people go out to bars, so you will need to be prepared for that or you will get left out a lot. Also don't feel pressured to get blackout drunk and meet random guys at socials. A lot of those dudes suck.