Golden Key?

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Not sure if this thread belongs in here but whatever.

Yeah, so I got an invitation from the Golden Key International Honour Society in the mail today. What the heck is this thing all about? Is it worth it? I've checked out their website and it seems alright but is it really worth the $100 (Canadian) or so to join for a life membership? Funds are tight with me right now after just paying for this year's tuition 😳

I'm still a Junior and I'm not applying this year but it certainly seems like another item to spark up Med School Apps, thereby impressing adcoms! It's probably not a big deal at all, and I might just join for the heck of it, but could members of this society please post experiences/feedback/comments. Thanks

 

[YzIa]

Not sure if this thread belongs in here but whatever.

Yeah, so I got an invitation from the Golden Key International Honour Society in the mail today. What the heck is this thing all about? Is it worth it? I've checked out their website and it seems alright but is it really worth the $100 (Canadian) or so to join for a life membership? Funds are tight with me right now after just paying for this year's tuition 😳

I'm still a Junior and I'm not applying this year but it certainly seems like another item to spark up Med School Apps, thereby impressing adcoms! It's probably not a big deal at all, and I might just join for the heck of it, but could members of this society please post experiences/feedback/comments. Thanks

Its a pay to be honored group.
This is probably the most known of its type. Its a well respected thing, whatever it is, but I have a personal problem with paying to join something they invited me to because I am "academically elite".

Basically its like any honors club on campus, its nationally recognized, meetings, events etc.

 

[Ypo.]

I agree. Don't waste your 100 bucks-I don't think its worth it.

 

[bewitched1081]

i think they give it to the top 15 or 20%. it doesnt seem like the top 15-20% at each undergrad would impress adcoms too much. plus, they send you a bunch of ads for stuff like geico. it might be worth it if you plan to get involved.

 

[CoverMe]

about 2 years ago, I was sitting in Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with my friends before class, we were all talking about how we'd gotten the letter from the Golden Key society, and how it was stupid to pay money for it, we went on and on about it, laughing it up and making fun of people who would do it.

So, on the way out, at the end of class, another girl was in front of us, and I commented on how nicely she was dressed (she's not really a friend, but I knew her, and was just paying her a compliment). She smiled a little tightly and then walked away. I asked another girl who knew her if something was wrong (thinking the first girl had just come from a funeral or something) and the other girl said... "She's dressed up for her induction into the Golden Key Society tonight." DOH!!! Apparently she overheard us making fun of it.

Anyway, if you feel like it's something you'd like to do, and think it sounds flashy, then go for it... however, pretty much the only people who are impressed with it, are the people who weren't invited in the first place... everyone else knows it's a pay thing. Sort of like that "Who's Who American High School Students" (i'm in the 92-93 issue... including my photo!!!), but now i know better. 🙂

 

[sunsweet]

Anyway, if you feel like it's something you'd like to do, and think it sounds flashy, then go for it... however, pretty much the only people who are impressed with it, are the people who weren't invited in the first place... everyone else knows it's a pay thing. Sort of like that "Who's Who American High School Students" (i'm in the 92-93 issue... including my photo!!!), but now i know better. 🙂

lol, I'm in that who's who thing too , dont know which issue though...I agree w/the above posters, its probably not worth it. most of these things are based on ur gpa anyway, and people can see how good ur gpa is without u having to be in one of these honor societies. if you plan on being actively involved, though, it can be a good experience.

 

[YzIa]

Jez, I was really expecting to get flamed for my negative comments about honor societies like golden key on a board like this.

 

[Newman8r]

I got it, not gonna waste the money.... however they do have a free ice cream day every quarter or so at my school, for those who present the invitation, which is pretty cool

 

[rockit]

Do they give graduate scholarships? If so, how easy are they to get?

 

[Heal&Teach]

Golden Key is worth the effort and money only if you're going to utilize your membership to the utmost extent. The Society is quite active in terms of community service, so if you're pretty active with their activities, or serve as an officer on one of their boards, then membership would be worth it. Otherwise, it's one of those dime a dozen things that people just place on their resumes, and of course it doesn't have meaning when everyone has done it, but no one has activities that stand out from participation in it.

The choice is ultimately up to you. Find out what your local chapter is doing... if you plan to get involved, go for it. If not, do something more worthwhile with your time.

Signed,
Former GKHS Chair of Bone Marrow Drive whose only other benefit derived was the MBNA credit card that placed her in significant debt. 🙂

 

[pratik7]

i think they have a discount for the kaplan or TPR class. I think the discount is a hundred bucks

 

[akpete]

I didn't want to pay the flippin' money. It's absolutely idiotic to have to pay $65 to be recognized for having a gpa you're already being recognized for with stuff like Dean's list, scholarships, etc. I didn't pay for Phi Kappa Phi either - ~$35 per year. But for every app and resume, I put "nominated for Golden Key." Then I still get the recognition without paying for it.