It took more than one person for a person not to be extended a bid. Even in the early 80's, there were formulas, and ways of prioritizing the rushes to make it as fair and equitable as possible.
DD was on the membership selection committee for her sorority. Her sorority relied heavily upon other members knowledge of the rushee, and the mass of available internet information out there. The sororities are hampered by the quotas set by PanHellenic, and the computer programs.
I went through rush my freshman year, and got dropped from the house I thought I wanted, mainly because I was very quiet and shy at the time; not because my clothes weren't right, or expensive, or anything like that. People just didn't know me. I pledged a house and after spending some time with the pledges and sisters, knew it wasn't the house for me. I depledged, and went through rush the next year, getting invites from every other house on campus, because people had gotten to know me in the additional months. I ended up pledging a different sorority from the one I thought I wanted my freshman year. My daughter also didn't get a bid from the one she thought she wanted, but ended up extremely happy with her pick.
It's sad to read those who have had a negative experience with sororities. For me, it was a great experience, even with the initial hurt I went through. I didn't "pay" for my friends. I formed valuable, wonderful, life-long friendships.