Here are some college honors societies I came across during my experience at Illinois State University (ISU). Some of this may be out of date as I have been out of college for a while now. It is not necessary to join many of these societies and a high GPA or Dean’s List mention is just as impressive. Furthermore, you are paying money for something you may not use. Nevertheless, many provide opportunities which are exclusive to members and or active members. You may just want to join one or two that you can actively participate in and consider what you have learned from researching various college honor societies. Supposedly, in places like Japan there are no honor societies. I could be wrong. Here in the US we are very into grades and other places they are more into test scores and do not have honors societies. Joining an honors society does allow you to connect with like-minded people. Although there are other registered student organizations (RSOs) on campuses that are not honors societies that allow you to connect to like-minded individuals. I have seen some opportunities such as study abroad programs that are competitive and open to only honors students. The vast majority of study abroad programs do not require you to be an honors student, but they do have minimum GPA requirements and sometimes are only open to certain majors.
Dean’s List
Free, receive certificate when GPA is in top 10%
no honors courses required
Honors OrganizationIllinoisState.edu/honors
Can be admitted after freshman year by having a high GPA
freshman admission is based on GPA and a minimum ACT/SAT score of 27 or 1270
must complete a honors course every semester which is usually more difficult than most and requires extra work
In-Course Honors contracts, contracts for Independent Honors Study, Undergraduate Research Participation and Honors Thesis
free with no membership fees
presidential scholarship for freshman with the highest ACT/SAT scores and GPAs and do well on the interview, the scholarship covers tuition but not room and board and requires a study abroad
Honors Student Organization Meetings
Fulbright Scholarship competition open to current seniors, graduate students and alumni, can search ISU website for deadlines and more info
have a magazine called Record, offer conferences, need a minimum major GPA to join, possibly a 3.6, that is set by the local chapter
Golden Key International Honour Societygoldenkey.org
one time membership fee of $70, invited to join when have a GPA in the top 15%
scholarships, internships with places such as the Center for International Studies (CIS), reminders on applications such as Teach For America (www.teachforamerica.org), networking, employment opportunities
members only website section, with a “go-to-college” info and resources section, CONCEPTS publication that profiles successes of members
complimentary electronic subscription to DiversityInc Magazine (only business magazine focusing on diversity in business and the marketplace) as per details explained on website
12 month program with monthly activities to help you achieve your goals called “Golden Keys to Realizing Your Potential”
Partnership with World Education Partners literacy program, raising funds selling Garfield Early Learning Series for children ages 3-9, literacy display competition can win a free International Conference Registration at the Leadership Training Conference
Member of Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), American Council on Education (ACE), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), Association of International Educators (NAFSA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Had a Vault Video Resume Makeover contest, www.vault.com
Uses YFonGlobal to host and build their social network called MyGK
Local chapters nominate candidates for the International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP)
Offers a discount on Golden Key Math for members and their families to practice math topics from home, www.goldenkeymath.com
World MBA Tour, topmba.com, complimentary admission, usually $5
Princeton Review discount on any GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCAT course and it extends to immediate family members preparing for the SAT or ACT www.princetonreview.com
One year subscription to The Atlantic
The National Dean’s List ®
Membership fee, nominated, write essay
Phi Theta Kappaptk.org
one time membership fee of $90, International Honor Society of the Two-Year College
like how this gives you a reference letter as in my experience it has been hard to get reference letters in general
minimum GPA of 3.5 and 12 credit hours required
have conferences, support causes like Better World Books
Alpha Lambda Delta
for freshmen and sophomores with a 3.5 GPA or higher
National Society of Collegiate Scholarsnscs.org
NSCS Convention once a year with details found on website (career workshops, networking opportunities, keynote speakers etc.)
travel stipends for a select number of members that apply
Scholarships such as the Scholar Abroad Scholarship and Semester at Sea program
summer reads program at www.bn.com, books such as “You Call The Shots”
partnership with Business Today and chance to apply for an all-expenses paid Business Today International Conference in New York City for several years now, see www.businesstoday.org
service activities such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Relay 4 Life, Malaria prevention(as per www.aidemocracy.org campaign)