Membership Requirements

Membership is by invitation only, based on the following criteria:

Invitations will be sent out mid-February in the Spring semester on an annual basis. Students who are eligible should automatically receive an invitation by mail in early March, as well as notification by email. The invitation to join is valid for one year from the postmark date on the letter, so you may always join at a later date. Membership in Golden Key lasts for a lifetime. This means that even if your status changes after you join (i.e. your GPA drops below the cutoff or you transfer to a different school), you are still a member.

If you feel that you are eligible based on the above criteria and have not received an invitation, please contact the local chapter and send us an unofficial transcript. (A transcript printed off BearFacts is fine.) We will get the invitation to you as soon as possible.

Lifetime Membership Fee

The $70 membership fee is the only monetary requirement of members. This is a one-time fee and is paid when you first join the organization.

Headquarters uses the fees to pay for certificates and postage and to fund the conferences and various scholarships. Chapters receive a small portion of the fees to provide benefits (i.e. free dinners, socials, workshops) and required annual events (i.e. Sophomore Recognition, Induction, subsidies to the regional and international conferences) to members.

There are a few options to students who cannot afford the membership fee. Please contact us for more information.