Frequently asked questions
What is Golden Key?
Golden Key is a non-profit, international academic honors organization that recognizes the top 15% of juniors and seniors in all undergraduate fields. Membership in Golden Key is by invitation only and there are benefits available only to members. Golden Key, as of August 1, 2001, had chapters at 315 universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501C (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. In 2001, the society modified its name to its current name to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of "Honour" was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling.
What are the requirements for membership?
- Semester system: 2nd year 1 semester students.
- Top 15% of each faculty.
- All full and part-time students from any field of study.
- All traditional, non-traditional and international students
What is Golden Key's mission?
Golden Key has a five-part mission:
- Recognize scholastic achievement and excellence in all undergraduate fields of study
- Unite collegiate faculty and administrators with students to foster a network of scholars
- Award scholarships for the pursuit of knowledge
- Serve the campus and community for personal growth and leadership development
- Connect members with career opportunities.
When and how was Golden key founded?
Golden Key was founded as the Golden Key National Honor Society on November 29, 1977, at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. It was founded by a small group of undergraduate students with guidance from some faculty and the dean of students.
What does Golden key do?
Golden Key, at the international level, is involved in the following programs and events:
- America's Promise: A commitment to helping the children and youth of America. See http://www.goldenkey.org for more information.
- Make a Difference Day: Golden Key is the largest organizer of college students for this annual event sponsored by USA WEEKEND magazine in conjunction with the Points of Light Foundation. 210 chapters participated last year.
- Plant a Tree (Australia): Every year, all Australian chapters plant thousands of trees in their local communities.
- Terry Fox Run (Canada): All 15 active Canadian chapters will participate in the annual Terry Fox Run. In 2000, the Canadian chapters raised over $5,580 last year.
What are the benefits of joining Golden key?
For details and the latest on membership benefits, visit the web site
at http://www.goldenkey.org.
Benefits of membership include:
- Recognition of a student's academic achievement by an internationally recognized honors organization. Membership is restricted only to undergraduate students who are at the top 15% of their class at Golden Key-approved universities and colleges.
- New members receive a membership certificate at the induction ceremony held every year at each chapter.
- Listing membership on the résumé is a mark of distinction and can strengthen the résumé for review by graduate school admissions and employers.
- Exclusive internship and employment opportunities.
- 700 scholarships amounting to $500,000 awarded to members annually.
- Network with students, faculty, university staff, and community leaders on a local, national or international scale.
- Opportunities to develop leadership skills.
- Write articles for CONCEPTS (award-winning annual magazine) and Key Notes (bi-annual newsletter).
- Receive regular notifications from Golden Key about scholarships, new benefits and employment opportunities.
- Attend international conventions and regional conferences.
- Enjoy special discounts exclusive only to members. For the latest offerings, please visit the web at http://www.goldenkey.org. Special arrangements have been made with Kaplan, New York Times, Gateway, hotel chains, and more. Additionally, many Golden Key members qualify for an additional discount on car insurance through GEICO.
- After graduation, you can access the Golden Key alumni chapter network established in cities across the U.S. for civic, social and employment benefits.
After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits?
Yes, you are a lifetime member and the following benefits will be available to you:
- Most scholarship programs including the $10,000 graduate scholarships.
- Access to Golden Key's online Career Center.
- Visit the Golden Key web site for information about alumni chapters.
- The online Alumni Directory is a password-protected contact vehicle
for potential job and acquaintance networking.
o Golden Key will continue to stay in touch with you after your graduation to remind you of these great benefits as long as you update your contact information with Golden Key once a year at the Golden Key web site . - Some members who have graduated continue to remain involved with the local university's Golden Key chapter.
Who are Golden Key members?
Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over one million members from 151 countries. Members include teachers, doctors, engineers, university presidents, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders, and many more. Well known members include: Elizabeth Dole, John Grisham, Colin Powell, and John Glenn.
Must I be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?
No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.
However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network.
You can make the most out of your membership by:
- Choosing to be a chapter officer or committee member
- Participating in the chapter's service, academic or social activities
- Attending the Golden Key regional conferences and international conventions
Do I have to pay annual membership dues?
No. There is a one-time-only membership fee that is paid when an individual joins. The one-time membership fee at this chapter is: $93.50 inc. GST
I meet Golden Key's requirements, but I haven't received a letter. Why not?
- If you became a junior just last semester, you were not included in the list from the registrar. The list from the registrar may have been provided to us before last semester's grades were posted.
- If you recently moved, your letter may have been mailed to the wrong address.
- You may have requested the registrar's office to not release your name and address.
- For some reason unknown to us, the registrar's office did not provide us your name or address.
- Your letter of invitation may have been sent to your permanent address.
- The invitation could be lost in the mail.
I didn't get the invitation. I qualify. How can I join?
First, we'll check if you are on our invitation list in case we did mail you an invitation. If your name is on the list, we'll give you a replacement invitation immediately. Otherwise, you can send an email to the Committee, who will be happy to verify the situation.
Where does the chapter get extra invitations?
Extra invitation letters are mailed to the primary adviser on the same day that the first mailing is sent to eligible students.
I recently transferred to this school. Can I join?
If the university accepts or recognizes a transfer GPA the student can join Golden Key if the other criteria are met.
The deadline has passed; can I still join?
Yes. Send your completed member profile form and complete fee payment to international headquarters as soon as possible. The invitation you received to join Golden Key expires within one year of the postmark of this letter. Your personalized certificate will be mailed to at the mailing address you provide. Plan on attending the induction.
I joined last year, and I received another invitation this year OR I joined Golden Key while attending another university. Do I have to join and pay the membership fee again?
No, you are a lifetime member, and you are only required to pay the Golden Key membership fee at the point when you joined the Society. There are several reasons why you received another invitation:
- Your name on our record, as you provided to us previously, does not perfectly match what the registrar recently provided us. Because the university does not provide us with unique identifier information, e.g. social security number, we were not certain if the name provided to us recently was you. Please disregard the invitation you received this year.
- If you recently changed your name, we were not able to tell if you are a member. Please disregard the invitation and update your information with us at: http://goldenkey.gsu.edu/.
- You are now at another university and we did not know that you transferred. Please update your information with us at: http://www.goldenkey.org
What happens if my cumulative average results drop after I join?
Once you become a member, you are a lifetime member. Your membership will not be withdrawn due to grades.
I'm already a member, but I have not heard anything from the Society since I joined. Why not?
It is important that both the local chapter officers and the Golden Key headquarters know that you wish to remain connected with us and that we have your most current contact information.
- Does the international headquarters have your correct information? Please update your information with the Golden Key international headquarters at this web link: http://goldenkey.gsu.edu/.
- Did you attend any local chapter programs or meetings? This is often how the local chapter knows that you wish to be active with the chapter.
What is the scholarship given at each chapter's induction ceremony?
- Every year, at each chapter's induction ceremony, 1-3 outstanding student(s) will receive chapter scholarships. The scholarship depends on the number of students joining.
- Only new members inducted for that year are eligible for the particular year's scholarship. All new members whose profiles are received by the membership deadline at the international headquarters are eligible for the scholarship.
- The scholarship recipients, are chosen by a scholarship committee at the Deakin Chapter. Emphasis is placed upon academic accomplishments, scholarly evidence, and leadership in collegiate activities, participation in extracurricular activities, work and family commitments, and community service.
What scholarships are available? (for online application)
- Golden Key awards approximately 700 scholarships each year amounting to half a million dollars.
- For details on each scholarship, application deadlines and application
forms, please visit the web site at http://goldenkey.gsu.edu/ or contact
Luke Anderson at landerson@goldenkey.gsu.edu.
- Scholarships available include:
- Ford Motor Company/Golden Key Undergraduate Scholarships
- Golden Key Scholar Award $10,000 for graduate work)
- Art International
- Business Achievement Awards
- Claus Nobel Earth Ethics Award
- Education Achievement Awards
- Engineering Achievement Awards
- Excellence in Speech and Debate Awards
- Golden Key Research Travel Grants
- Golden Key Service Award
- Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships
- Information Systems Achievement Awards
- International Student Leader Award
- Literary Achievement Awards
- Performing Arts Showcase
- Student Scholastic Showcase
- GEICO Adult Scholar Awards
- Corporate partners also offer career opportunities and marketing
programs to students. They also support our community service and
scholarship programs worldwide.
- Bank of America
- Cisco Systems, Inc.
- Ford Motor Company
- Gateway
- General Mills
- Lehman Brothers
- MBNA America
- Merck & Co., Inc.
- Motorola
- Shell
- The New York Time
- Accenture
How is Golden Key governed and membership represented?
- Board of Directors (college presidents, higher education leaders and founding members).
- Golden Key Council (president, vice president, secretary and council student representative).
- Academic Coordinating Committee (one adviser serves per region).
- Regional Student Representatives (one student member serves per region).
How is the membership fee used?
The one-time-only fee funds your benefits and supports the local chapter in the following ways:
- Induction ceremony and reception
- Local scholarships
- Publications
- Regional conferences
- International convention
- Local academic, service and social activities
- Headquarters support to chapters (staff visits, mailings, database, benefits development, public relations)