Honor Societies, are they worth it?

[DrStraggler]

So, when the application process rolls around, I want to seem well-rounded like everyone else. However, I've made it a point to give up that mentality that most highschoolers have of doing everything the CORRECT way (play a sport, become president of something science-related, join a pre health committee, and join an honor society). In college, I just want to pursue those things that interest me. However, if an Honor society will make me seem on-par or even better than Applicant X, I'll do it for the sake of my future.

Background: The honor society emailed me about a week ago saying I was eligible to apply (it's an honor society for sophomores who have a 3.5+ GPA their freshman year). I set up an interview, and the dues are like $100 a year, so it's sort of pricey. I'm sort of considering not even going because upwards of 200 people get inducted every year and it doesn't even make it seem selective. Other than that, it's a greek thing I guess because it's called Alpha Lambda X.


So do you guys think I should do it?

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[xXIDaShizIXx]

So, when the application process rolls around, I want to seem well-rounded like everyone else. However, I've made it a point to give up that mentality that most highschoolers have of doing everything the CORRECT way (play a sport, become president of something science-related, join a pre health committee, and join an honor society). In college, I just want to pursue those things that interest me. However, if an Honor society will make me seem on-par or even better than Applicant X, I'll do it for the sake of my future.

Background: The honor society emailed me about a week ago saying I was eligible to apply (it's an honor society for sophomores who have a 3.5+ GPA their freshman year). I set up an interview, and the dues are like $100 a year, so it's sort of pricey. I'm sort of considering not even going because upwards of 200 people get inducted every year and it doesn't even make it seem selective. Other than that, it's a greek thing I guess because it's called Alpha Lambda X.


So do you guys think I should do it?

I'm in it. You can help do a little community service with them and get a little recognition. Basically its up to you, for the most part it is what you make of it.

 

[235788]

Join it, but don't except it to really do anything for your application unless you get very involved in it.

 

[V5RED]

I wouldn't join. I have told all such honor societies that. I got a bunch of such societies asking me for money to join them, but I told them all to go away. One of them would not stop spamming me to get my money until I threatened to file a grievance against them with the student union. There is nothing they offer that I can't get on my own, and joining a group like that for prestige is silly since my GPA speaks for itself.

 

[deleted357625]

you might be able to get a small scholarship out of it.

 

[coyotelime]

I wouldn't join. I have told all such honor societies that. I got a bunch of such societies asking me for money to join them, but I told them all to go away. One of them would not stop spamming me to get my money until I threatened to file a grievance against them with the student union. There is nothing they offer that I can't get on my own, and joining a group like that for prestige is silly since my GPA speaks for itself.

This. Having a 3.6 + being in some honor society that requires a 3.5 is not > 3.8 ever, adcoms can see your GPA just fine.

But if you feel like other aspects of the society are attractive such as service/fellowship etc., then go ahead and join.

 

[gettheleadout]

I wouldn't join. I have told all such honor societies that. I got a bunch of such societies asking me for money to join them, but I told them all to go away. One of them would not stop spamming me to get my money until I threatened to file a grievance against them with the student union. There is nothing they offer that I can't get on my own, and joining a group like that for prestige is silly since my GPA speaks for itself.

This is my thought. Organizations that require more than just GPA, like Phi Beta Kappa, are different.

 

[DVolle]

I know Phi Beta Kappa is prestigious but what about Phi Kappa Phi? I recently received an invitation to join and am not sure if it is worth it.

 

[Stumpyman]

I'd prefer to join an organization that recognizes leadership, service, and what ever else besides just how high your GPA is.

Some organizations pick the top 10% of the class, those would probably sound better than something that only looks at GPA.

 

[Atlas Shrugged]

I know Phi Beta Kappa is prestigious but what about Phi Kappa Phi? I recently received an invitation to join and am not sure if it is worth it.

I'm also interested in hearing about Phi Kappa Phi. The letter they sent me says that only the top 7.5% of students GPAwise are invited. Though, as others have said, your GPA is already visible to ADCOMS.

 

[Lil Mick]

Honor+Service (like Alpha Sigma Nu if you're at a Catholic university) or prestigious honor societies (like Phi Beta Kappa) are worth it. Others are just a list on a resume (nice if there are several listed, but not a huge deal on applications).

 

[StopPre77]

Phi Beta Kappa counts. My membership was brought up in multiple interviews in an extremely positive light. It shows a high GPA plus a very well rounded education; has a long and respected history in American academic discourse.

To answer your original question: no, the honor society in question will not be of value. Also, $100/year? That should be all you need to know. I think PBK was like $75 for life.

 

[StopPre77]

I'm also interested in hearing about Phi Kappa Phi. The letter they sent me says that only the top 7.5% of students GPAwise are invited. Though, as others have said, your GPA is already visible to ADCOMS.

I think that how familiar people are with the organization is sometimes worth more than the requirements. For example, there are niche IQ organizations with much higher IQ cutoffs than Mensa, but Mensa is the only one anyone has ever heard of. Phi Kappa Phi isn't a joke, and it's not even that new (like Golden Key), but it just doesn't seem to have the same resonance with people- where they are going to make immediate and informed judgments about what your membership says about your undergrad performance.

 

[DrHouse579]

Isn't PBK pretty useless for trad applicants? I've looked into it and the chapter at my ugrad rarely invite juniors (like <5 a year). And those that are invited are held to ridiculously high standards like a MINIMUM GPA of 3.8 and incredible EC's/leadership (aka the people who don't need PBK on their app to get an acceptance). So, by the time you get invited like midway through your senior year, you should have already interviewed and even gotten some decisions. I don't know, it also seems to heavily favor non-science majors and I don't think it's worth the headache if it's not even going to help get me into med school.

 

[Freakfarm0]

Unless you get a leadership position in the organization, it doesn't matter.

Don't join to just be a member. You don't need greek letters in your CV to let the adcoms know you have a 3.5.

I also love how you said "I want to seem well-rounded like everyone else."

Classic!

 

[pkwraith]

Meh, I don't recognize any of the alphabet soup in the thread. It's all Greek to me (although, Greek system has probably much greater peer recognition). I was an engineer and I don't even know the engineering honor society.

It just seems like resume masturbation to me. Joining something for the sake of joining something. People who care about those type of things will know about them. Everyone else really don't. Greek letters without the fun. I sure wouldn't pay $100/year for any organization unless I'm getting $100 of tangible benefits.

If you want to do community service, join a group that does community service. If you want to party, go Greek. If you want leadership, join anything you want and be a leader. Joining something because you qualify for something is the dumbest thing in the world to me (Yes, I think AOA is pretty stupid).

 

[searun]

Phi Beta Kappa counts. My membership was brought up in multiple interviews in an extremely positive light. It shows a high GPA plus a very well rounded education; has a long and respected history in American academic discourse.

To answer your original question: no, the honor society in question will not be of value. Also, $100/year? That should be all you need to know. I think PBK was like $75 for life.

Agreed. PBK was viewed in a positive light for me as well back in the day. Stop Pre as in Steve Prefontaine?

 

[Thales]

I agree with most of the sentiments in the thread. Join if it gives you volunteer/networking opportunities, join if you can get a leadership position, otherwise skip it. We're starting up a psychology honor society chapter at my CC, the main reason I'm interested in it is my role in leadership and my ability to network with PhD level psychologists. It'll also give me chances to link up with some places like the local mental hospital to volunteer.

Win-win. Also, dues are $50 lifetime.

 

[romanjetfighter]

phi kappa phi told me the cutoff for seniors is 3.6 but for juniors is 4.0

basically, seniiors who are graduating and wont be applying for scholarships have a lower cut off so more seniors join but only juniors are eligible to actually apply for scholarships

tricky bastards

 

[StopPre77]

Agreed. PBK was viewed in a positive light for me as well back in the day. Stop Pre as in Steve Prefontaine?

Yes- love that guy.

 

[QuizzicalApe]

I joined a bunch of honor societies just so I could bling out my graduation costume with colorful honor cords.

 

[DrStraggler]

Decided not to go to the interview because it really seemed like a waste of time (600+ people were being interviewed! It has to be some sort of a scam..)

And unfortunately, no PBK chapter at my school (we applied, and b/c of some bogus reason got rejected).

I'm just going to focus on volunteering for now!

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I joined a bunch of honor societies just so I could bling out my graduation costume with colorful honor cords.

 

[searun]

Yes- love that guy.

Prefontaine is a personal hero of mine. I love him too. I have a StopPre t-shirt that I wear when I am running. He died too young in an automobile accident at the age of 24. He never reached his prime - distance runners usually peak in their late twenties. He was fearless and always ran from the front rather than hanging back and drafting off of the leader. I believe that he would have won a gold Olympic medal eventually if he had not died in that tragic accident.

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

90% of these honor societies are money-making scams; notice how many people are invited to join. If it's not Pi Beta Kappa, I wouldn't join it and instead get involved through your school's pre-med society or AMSA.

 

[chemhead123]

Every applicant is or could be in an honor society. Not worth the time or money...

 

[varsityblue]

PBK, PKP, or bust.

 

[StopPre77]

Prefontaine is a personal hero of mine. I love him too. I have a StopPre t-shirt that I wear when I am running. He died too young in an automobile accident at the age of 24. He never reached his prime - distance runners usually peak in their late twenties. He was fearless and always ran from the front rather than hanging back and drafting off of the leader. I believe that he would have won a gold Olympic medal eventually if he had not died in that tragic accident.

I definitely agree- he would have been hard to beat in '76. I've watched the '72 gold medal 5000m race numerous times- I hate that Stewart took bronze in the last 10m or so. It's still exciting to watch Steve battle Lasse Viren for the lead after a slow start (that was not conducive for Steve's style). Totally agree about the age and prime statement- runners like Viren were grown men compared to Steve...and he still challenged them. He was already something, I can only imagine if he had a chance to mature physically.