It’s the time of year when many college students start receiving invitations to various honors societies. From the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) to the University Honors Program, various honors societies provide differing benefits. Ultimately, students can receive benefits from these societies and programs, but it won’t be the best way to demonstrate academic commitment.
NSCS is one of the most popular honors societies, with over 300 chapters nationwide. First- and second-year students who have a minimum GPA of 3.4 are eligible to join after receiving a letter of invitation. The society is non-profit, so the fee to join (currently $95) contributes to member benefits, including scholarships, career networking, community service opportunities and chapter events. NSCS is also the primary recruiting culprit, as evidenced by their emailing and mailing campaign. Personally, I’ve received at least three mailings and four emails from the society in the past month.
This honors society can be clearly beneficial for students, however it isn’t likely worth the fee to join. The 3.4 GPA requirement to join adds little to a student’s resume that his or her GPA doesn’t already state, especially for students who exceed the requirement.
If eligible for the scholarships, it may be a significant advantage to join, although there are also many other opportunities to receive scholarships for high-achieving students.
The chapter events and career networking are also potentially beneficial, but again, nothing that an already successful student couldn’t pursue outside the society.
Clearly, the largest benefits would be for students who are on the edge of the GPA requirement and could use an extra boost on their resume.
For most high-achieving students, NSCS isn’t going to offer significant advantages. There are other opportunities, however, that can be valuable. Departmental Distinction is one of these opportunities. This is offered upon graduation by each academic department in DU for students who meet the minimum requirements, as determined by each department.
Each student typically needs to complete a thesis or research project to receive distinction. The research requirement enhances any student’s educational experience. In addition, the commitment to receive distinction is a clear commitment that enhances a resume. Finally, the research requirement satisfies those needed to receive Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, which are very clear distinctions for high-achieving students.
Another honors opportunity that may be more worthy than NSCS at DU is the University Honors Program. This also has requirements that go above and beyond GPA: an Honors curriculum ensures that students maximize their educational experience. In addition, the program offers extracurricular activities, priority registration and an honors floor for freshman housing. Furthermore, admission to the program is at no additional financial cost to students.
I participated in the University Honors Program at the university I transferred from, which offered very similar opportunities as the program at DU. The classes I took offered some of my best educational experiences as a freshman and the honors housing allowed me to connect with other students with similar interests. Many of the students who I still call my best friends were on the same floor and in the same classes as me.
Of course, there are many other opportunities for students to distinguish themselves. Although honors societies provide a clear framework and possibly easier methods to attain notoriety, it is possible for most students to pursue any of the offered benefits. Students who are looking for a challenge and distinction in college should seek to take challenging classes, complete research, volunteer and engage with Career Center opportunities. Departmental Distinction, alongside a consistent GPA is likely going to be the best example of academic commitment, not membership to an honors society.
As a result, students looking for a framework for distinguishment could consider an honors society or group, but it will not substitute daily academic commitment.
