how much are recomendations worth?

Tri-Delt is tough to get a bid from unless you've got girls in the house pulling for you, are a legacy with heavy pull or are the top rushee going through rush that all the top houses want or are the very rare girl with no connections that they like. LOTS of girls going through rush have recs from top alums and a former chapter president from State isn't nearly as influential as an OM alum; alums from other schools just don't carry the same weight period.

As a legacy to AOPi, you have a shot, but don't take it for granted. Rush at OM is extremely competitive, especially with variable quota, so nothing is a given.

As for recs - get them. It shows a sorority that you're making the effort and they do matter.

good rec letter is useless at top houses.

unless you are a legacy or grew up in a area where your mom is bffs with a bunch of DDD/KD/XO, long story short your rec letter won't even get looked at. they won't waste your time.

if you apply to harvard with a 24 ACT, doesn't matter how great your essay is, they aren't going to read it.

You need good rec letters for most of the sororities and they do carry weight. Ole Miss connections are more important than stellar resumes, so rec letters with Ole Miss connections will be more helpful.