Honor societies grow in popularity at 'U' By Lindsey Alpert Daily Staff Reporter David Lu applied for a scholarship for college. He didn't receive it, but what he did get could be worth even more: a life-long membership to the Delta Epsilon Iota honor society. "I became a member last year when I applied for a scholarship," Lu said. "There were a few of us on campus and the national chapter contacted us earlier this year about starting a chapter on campus." Four months later, Delta Epsilon Iota is closer to joining the near dozen other honor societies on campus. Honor societies on campus encompass all fields of study from aerospace engineering to pre-health societies. Societies choose members based on certain criteria including cumulative grade point averages, grade point averages in certain academic units, community service and class ranking. Each society has specific goals such as service, career or leadership. The Golden Key National Honor Society, which attracts 600 to 700 members each year, is open to juniors and seniors, in all schools, with a 3.75 cumulative GPA or higher. The society is partnered with many businesses such as Dow Chemical Company, General Mills and Ford Motor Co. "There are about 20 businesses that we are affiliated with," Golden Key President Elizabeth Holden said. "We form a sort of partnership where they give us promotional things and they gain a pool of qualified applicants." Another campus-based honor society is Sigma Iota Rho, a national honor society for international studies. This society is open to students that take classes in political science, history, international economy or business, literature or various other areas that deal with international studies. "Sigma Iota Rho recognizes people with scholastic achievement," Chapter Adviser Lili Kivisto said. "It's an honor to have it listed on your transcript." Sigma Iota Rho, which inducts 30 to 40 students every year, requires applicants to have received a 3.6 GPA in five international relation classes as juniors or a 3.5 in seven international relation classes as seniors, as well as a cumulative 3.3 GPA. Many of the societies send out letters to potential members that fit their criteria, but applications need to be picked up and filled out for other societies. "We mailed out about 6,000 application packets to the top 15 percent of each class or those people that have a 3.3 GPA or higher," Lu said. "The society is by invitation only and if you receive an invitation, you just need to pay the club dues to become a member." Most societies have a one-time, life-long membership dues ranging from about $25 to $65. Some provide membership certificates, special job opportunities and recognition on transcripts. Although membership to an honor society may impress potential employers and graduate school admissions officers, they might not guarantee acceptance or a job offer. "Generally we like to see participation in campus activities and an honor society usually means excellence in academics," said Katie Horne, director of admissions at the Medical School. "But, good grades mean about the same thing, so an honor society is just a short-cut way of telling us that the student has good grades." PriceWaterhouseCoopers' recruitment representative Becky Beyer agreed that honor societies can help in finding a job. "We definitely, as recruiters, look for things like that," Beyer said. "But it is not necessary or a pre-requisite for an interview or a placement in the company." PriceWaterhouseCoopers was the largest University hirer last year, placing 79 graduates from all schools in positions with the company. "We generally look for people that are involved in activities in their major and honor societies might pull a little bit more weight than other activities," Beyer said. "But it's not the be all and end all." Originally on page 3A in the 1-27-2000 issue of the Daily.