Warning, this is a little long and sappy:
I was a Sigma Kappa during college and absolutely LOVED it! I couldn't have even imagined going through school without my sisters. That being said however, I actually ended up signing up for Rush on a complete whim. I was going to school out of state and didn't know a soul and figured it would be an easy way to meet people.
If you do choose to go through Rush (and I would advise that you do) just please please please try and keep an open mind about the whole process. That week (at least for me) was rough. I won't lie. It is non stop the entire week and it can be a very cutting process so to speak. There were houses that I absolutely fell in love with that didn't ask me back after the first round. There were others that the first day I wasn't impressed with that I ended up really liking by the end of the week.
My house I actually did not like the entire week. I wasn't impressed by the girls I spoke with or the message that I 'thought' they were trying to portray. When I got my bid, I almost didn't accept. However I am extremely thankful that I did. I meet 2 of my best friends that day and the following year I ended up meeting 5 more of my best friends. Bid day was actually the day that changed everything for me.
My house was a HUGE part of my college life. It gave me a social life, friends, family, and so many more important things. These were the girls that I've cried with, laughed with, loved, and so much more. I can't even put into words how much it all meant to me. And even now that I am an alum, I do hold all of that in a very special place in my heart.
If you are even the slightest bit interested in a house I would say go through Rush. Just because you go through it does not mean you have to accept a bid or pledge a house or anything like that. And even if you don't end up in a house, you will meet a lot of girls along the way, both in houses and not.
The most important piece of advise, I think is to KEEP AN OPEN MIND! Chapters vary between schools, so just because you might identify with a house on one campus doesn't mean that you will with that same house on a different campus. And the house you don't like might actually be the best fit for you. As well as a house that you love might not be right.
(Sorry about the length of this! I started typing and kinda got caught up. If you have more questions/etc, feel free to PM me.)