transfer

I will be transferring from another big southern school (in SC) but am originally from the north (Ohio). I don't really care about the whole old vs new row thing but I was wondering if I would still stand a chance to join a solid - middle or top - fraternity even though I would be coming in as a sophomore and have no connections with anyone at Alabama.

Also a side note but related, how would someone with no connections in Alabama get into rush events, parties, etc.? Do rushees normally contact the recruitment chair or are rush events fairly open to rushees (I don't know much about the fraternity recruitment process here)

Thanks!