grades

Not a zero chance, but expect to be dropped by several right off the bat. Some simply won't look at anybody with less that a 3.5. Some might consider you if you have excellent connections, or outstanding activities, or hold a state beauty title.
You will need to be open to any sorority willing to invite you back. Which is what everybody should do, anyway.

It is going to be VERY difficult. Since so many girls are rushing, most houses set a 3.0 MINIMUM GPA for rushing.. They tell you not to go through as a freshman without at least a 3.0. 2,000 girls to look through is a lot, girls who don't have the grades are the FIRST to be cut since the cut is so easy.

Would you recommend rushing as a sophomore than?

Last year 600 of those 2000 girls had under a 3.0. 1600-1700 girls received bids so obviously about 300 girls with less than a 3.0 got bids

what would it take to get a bid if you have just barely under a 3.0

You have a 2.96 GPA from high school??? Did you just not go to class?

Hang in there and rush! Put your fears aside and take a chance. That is what life is about.

There can be a lot of emphasis on GPA, and with good reason, but it doesn't always tell the whole story. I work with lots of PNMs and someone who earned a 2.9 taking AP and honors courses at a really hard, ranked high school might be a much better student than someone who got a 3.5 taking regular level classes at an average or easier school. There's often so much more to a PNM than that number. If you went to a tough school and took AP and honors, have the people doing your recs point that out. I don't know if it will help or make a difference, but it sure can't hurt.

If you are from out of state (meaning somewhere in "the north" or west coast) just remember that those states have a MUCH higher standard of education than highschools in alabama. There will be in state girls with 3.7s, however if they went to a highschool not in alabama they would prob just have a 3.0. You'll do much better in college then they will and will most likely be able to get a bid (just prob not to a "top tier" house). Alot of the sororities are realizing this and taking more OOS girls who have "Low" gpas to boost their college overall GPA because these girls tend to excell better. Good luck with RUSH!

Just put your best foot forward and keep an open mind