rec letters

Depends. 99% of the time you have to have one to even get an invitation to the second round during rush, so I'd say they're pretty important. But in terms of helping you get a bid...it depends on who you are, who wrote your rec(s), and how glowing the rec is. For well-known girls they don't matter quite as much because actives already know you; but for girls who don't really have connections, recs can help you or sink you because they usually speak to your character. Overall they are kind of a formality but can be very useful at the same time

So recs matter because they keep you from getting cut in the early rounds, which gives you a chance to meet more sisters. I know it's annoying, but just get them.