The recruitment fee is small compared to the sorority initiation fee, dues and meal plan costs. You can go through the process and then decide to not pledge even if a sorority wants you. If you decide to attend Alabama and go through recruitment, you must have letters of rec submitted on your behalf to be a serious candidate at most UA sororities. Ask anyone and everyone you know. Consider it a pre-test of your social networking skills. Being from Vermont should be an obstacle.