Delta Tau Alpha Rating, Reviews and Requirements. Is it worth it?

What are the requirements to be in Delta Tau Alpha? Active members must have completed at least nine semester hours, or its equivalent, in agricultural courses; must have completed at least forty five semester hours, or its equivalent, of college courses, rank not lower than the highest thirty-five percent of their class in general scholarship.

What is the history of Delta Tau Alpha? The society was founded at Southwest Missouri State College on March 19, 1960.

The purposes of DTA are to:

1) To promote and recognize high standards of scholarship, leadership, and character among agricultural students.

2) To encourage and foster high ethical standards of agriculture and professional positions held by agricultural students.

3) To band together a group of outstanding students who by scholastic accomplishment, service, and upholding high character standards have been recognized for these traits and are capable of recognizing these traits in others.

4) To promote the profession of agriculture.

5) To render service and to cooperate with the student bodies and the agricultural divisions of the respective institutions.

What are the key benefits of being a member of Delta Tau Alpha? 

1) recognition of scholarship and leadership in agriculture.

2) initiation at a ceremony and reception/banquet held on their campus.

3) a personalized membership certificate.

4) access to a web-based newsletter “The Achiever” informing members of activities at the 

national and club levels.

5) an opportunity to attend the annual national convention held on the campus of DTA chapters. A one-time initiation fee of $25 makes a student a life-time member at the national level. 

Based on the information, here is our review:

Our first observation is: the scale for eligibility seems dependent upon the students’ overall scores rather than a GPA requirement. For instance, members need to stay in the upper 35% of their class, but that percentage can be relative. 

Our second observation was: the website seems geared more toward current members rather than those seeking membership, and there is no problem with that, but a “new member” tab on their site might be helpful. 

Our third observation was: that this is obviously a niche Honor Society, which has the perks of a tighter and more personalized alumni network.