College Honor Societies

[Kalyxa]

Nothing like leaving life decisions up to the Internet! :lol-sign:

Just kidding; I'm just looking for info/advice.

I got a couple of mass emails from honor societies at my school. I went to an info session, but didn't get much in the way of info. Is it worth it to join one of these things? What does being a member really do for you besides give you a chance to "give back to the community"? The one that's really gunning for members has some steep entry costs, and they seem really proud of their "minimum 3.0 GPA requirement" but that is not so impressive to me. I was looking into another one with a more respectable 3.5 GPA requirement and more reasonable fees, but I can't for the life of me get a hold of this group on my campus to even learn more about it. They aren't part of the Greek Council, despite having the entire Greek alphabet as names.

But yeah, mainly: Is it worth it to join? What is their deal? Any opinions appreciated!

 

[Fran101]

I was in one but yea, only for the rewards lol Which used to include a special dorm buildings (/nicer dorms), earlier class pick times, something to pad the resume (since to be in the society you had to have a 3.5+) and some doodads like alumni internships and special help with resumes and things.

Just for the sake of volunteering and just because? I wouldn't do it.. especially not pay for it. It was quite a bit of work (meetings, volunteering etc..) and I certainly wouldn't join the 3.0 one..

I would find out more about the other one.. and weigh the rewards against everything else. It certainly isn't something I would've done if not for all the goodies (especially the earlier class picks)

I did meet some great people,learned quite a lot and did enjoy the volunteering.. but yea.. certainly not something I would pay to do without the perks.

 

[CaliTerp07]

I wouldn't do it. If the only requirement is a certain GPA, it won't help your resume at all (because your GPA is going to be front and center on your resume anyway!)

Use that time you would spend in an honor society meeting to do something that is more in line with your career interests, or has a more clear purpose. Find volunteer work that interests you, join a club that matches your major, find something random yet awesome that you'll never have a chance to do outside of college (tightrope walking club, anyone?) Honor societies are money grubbers.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I joined an honor society and the school's honor program. I barely paid anything, didn't spend any time participating in anything, and it's on my diploma. *shrug* I don't regret it. Maybe it's nothing special, but I got invited to study abroad because of it.

 

[milos_mommy]

Completely depends on the honor society, IMO.

At my school, we have the "honor's college". You have to enter that right out of HS. Perks are stuff like housing (most students don't get that), core classes with only other honors students, and it looks **** good on a resume or transcript. You need like a 4.0 HS GPA to get in.

Then there's the honors program. Lots of perks like events with free food, seminars, invitations to stuff where cool people speak, classes only open to those in the program, the ability to invent your own major, and it goes on your transcript or diploma (not sure about which). You need a 3.5 GPA, but you also need to apply, interview, and participate in order to stay in. I'm a part of this and I think applicable students who don't apply are crazy, it's a great opportunity (but more work to stay in).

I also just got an invite to Golden Key. It's a respected society, but a lot of members say they got nothing out of it. I'm joining because even if it won't matter on grad school applications, it might look good on a resume, they have tons of networking events, and it opens up a number of scholarships I qualify for.

Lots of people think they're a waste of time and money, and I can see for students whose parents pay tuition or who already have connections, it is. But for me it seems worth it.

 

[Kalyxa]

Thank you for sharing, guys!

As far as I can tell, the societies I've looked at offer some perks in the way of more scholarships/grants that can be applied for, prettying up a resume, and more social/community involvement, but I don't think any of those things are going to do it for me. I'm already strapped for cash, and this seems like an expenditure that gives too little back.

Thanks again for the insight