greek life is political?

It's not about your home town automatically being too far, it's about other girls from closer in being already known, or known about, by members from these areas, so these pnm's are more desirable. Established personal connections are always going to be more valuable in membership selection. Rush for girls who aren't already known by someone in a sorority, is 100% about what's on your resume and how you present in person at parties. You will find the sorority you click with that way. Don't worry about how sororities choose their membership because you can't do a thing about it. Just worry about what you can control: yourself. Be your genuine self at your best and your rush will work out. Don't take cuts as personal; it doesn't mean they are dismissing you as a person or that you couldn't be friends with some of those members while you are at school.