Honor Society -

You’re right. But let’s also be honest: Not all honor societies are created equal.

You are purely paying for a line item on your résumé and have no intention of attending events or applying for funds. In that case, the $80 fee buys you nothing but a piece of paper.

Whether it’s a study abroad grant, a research stipend, or a local leadership award—use your membership badge to apply. The worst they can say is no. Honor Society

How to Maximize Your Membership (A 3-Step Plan) If you are a current member or planning to join, stop just paying the dues. Do this instead:

I know it’s awkward. Go anyway. Collect three business cards or Instagram handles from people in different majors. You need cross-discipline friends. You’re right

Ultimately, an Honor Society doesn’t make you an honorable student. Your grades, ethics, and ambition do that. But a good society acts like a booster rocket—it won’t steer the ship, but it will give you a serious push toward the stratosphere.

We’ve all seen them. The students walking across the graduation stage with the yellow-and-blue stole, the regal gold cord, or the distinctive key pin on their lapel. To the outside world, they look like the "brainiacs." The overachievers. The ones who never broke a sweat on a calculus final. In that case, the $80 fee buys you

A recruiter will not see the gold cord and offer you the corner office. They will see the GPA that got you into the society. They will see the leadership position you held as the society’s treasurer. They will ask about the volunteer project you organized through the society’s community outreach program.

But if you’ve received an invitation to join an Honor Society—or if you’re wondering if that application fee is worth it—you probably suspect there is more to it than just looking good in a cap and gown.