Alpha Sigma Lambda Rating, Reviews and Requirements. Is it worth it?

REQUIREMENTS

Membership shall contain chapters of colleges and universities which offer undergraduate degrees and which are accredited by the regional associations.*  Currently, membership is limited to undergraduate students seeking their first degree.

Student members must have completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) graded semester hour credits or the equivalent** and shall be matriculated students in an undergraduate degree program in an institution that is regionally accredited in the U.S or recognized by the Ministry of Education of the country in which the program operates. These college credits may not include transfer credits. All twenty-four credits must be taken through and graded at the matriculating institution and must be included in the student’s cumulative GPA.

At least twelve credits of student’s total credits should be earned in courses in Liberal Arts/Sciences, not including applied Arts/Sciences courses. Accepted transfer courses may be added to the 24 credits earned at this institution until the Liberal Arts/Sciences requirements are fully satisfied. Student members selected must meet minimum GPA from their institution. The cumulative scholastic record of the student as interpreted by the institution where membership is to be conferred shall be the basis for computing scholastic eligibility.

SUMMARY

In 1945, Dr. Rollin Posey was Dean of the University College at Northwestern University. He had inherited an honorary named Alpha Sigma Lambda but not, it seemed, a history, constitution or bylaws. He decided to remake Alpha Sigma to serve the needs of his students. He invited students to attend a meeting in early January 1946 to "consider the establishment of an Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, in order that we may have some means of recognizing superior scholarship among our students. Apparently, the students liked the idea, and he drew up a proposed constitution. In it, he expanded on what he thought the Society should be. Its purpose, he wrote, was "to bind together into one Society the excellent students within the University College in order to provide a stimulus to and recognition for their worthy efforts to make best use of their college years." This language was still in ASL's constitution 20 years later.

BENEFITS

• The premier nationally recognized honor society for full- and part-time students.
• Motivation for students to achieve academic and leadership excellence.
• A distinctive, 60+ year established honor society with a full-time national office and staff
• Publication of a semi-annual online newsletter.
• Chapter Councilors/chapter advisors for each chapter.
• Social Network sites to post induction photos, exchange ideas on activities/programs, and have a conversation with ASL members.
• Enhancement of the image of lifelong learning at your institution.
• Scholarship opportunities.
• Availability of insignia pins, academic honor cords, clothing and many other items.
• Improved retention of adult students.

OUR REVIEW  

Observation #1: “Student members selected must meet minimum GPA from their institution. The cumulative scholastic record of the student as interpreted by the institution where membership is to be conferred shall be the basis for computing scholastic eligibility.” This society has no official “required” GPA, making it much more inclusive than other societies.

Observation #2: That being said, this seems like a very generalized society, despite the fact it is portrayed as a “niche” honor society, so we would like to see more details regarding post-grad benefits in the Liberal Arts/Sciences realm.

Observation #3: Alpha Sigma Lambda offers scholarship opportunities for all members and their different strengths, not just the top members, so it provides more opportunities for students to save on costs.