Paying for recognition

As the fall semester nears its end, students begin to dread the final examinations that loom ahead. The cycle of papers, midterms and finals causes some to wonder about the benefits of good marks on their transcripts _ is the effort really worth it?

One such tangible benefit of hard work is admittance to an honor society to impress graduate schools, employers, relatives and friends. This year, over 300 Tufts juniors and seniors joined the Golden Key International Honor Society.

Each year, Golden Key invites the top 15 percent of juniors and seniors with GPAs of at least 3.4 to join its membership. Those who join benefit from advantages like scholarships, professional connections, and volunteer opportunities.

The Golden Key International Honor Society is "the world's premier, largest honor society," according to Alexander Perwich, the society's national chief executive officer. Golden Key consists of a network of chapters in more than 300 colleges and universities whose common aims are to promote leadership, academic excellence, and community service.

High grades is not the only criteria for invitation to join Golden Key.

"In addition to a high GPA... you're assumed to be involved in volunteering and [to be] well-rounded as a person," said Anjana Srivastava, the president of the Tufts chapter of Golden Key.

The criteria help add to the prestige of the award. "It definitely will help including it in your resume, applying for a job, and applying to grad school," senior Rodrigo Dumont said.

Aside from the monetary value of Golden Key, many members simply want to participate in a good cause. Membership requires that "you have chosen to live with a lifetime of service," said Jodie Neally, the director of Student Activities and the society's faculty advisor.

Senior Francis Otting sees his membership as an opportunity to pursue volunteering on a larger level and "get the community to be more involved in volunteering" through the activities of Golden Key.

Golden Key participates in service events throughout the year like Halloween on the Hill, Kids' Day, and Make a Difference Day. The purpose of these activities is "to give back something totally different than your GPA," according to senior Treasurer Kerry Biggs.

To join Golden Key, invited students had to pay $60. But should there be a fee for the recognition of academic excellence and the opportunity to volunteer?

"It might seem hypocritical to charge a fee to join an honor society where, in theory, the costs of entering should be only the hard work put forth in academics," senior Daniel Bakalarz said.

But Bakalarz said he understood that the society needed to raise money to achieve its purpose. "In order for an honor society to gain international recognition and respect, it must be capable of marketing itself and creating an image of importance," Bakalarz said. "It does so through its fees and various other contributions."

Members who have paid the fee to join seem to consider it worthwhile. "I consider the fee for Golden Key membership a small price to pay in exchange for the numerous scholarships, exclusive job fairs, and alumni networks available to members," senior Swati Mehta said. "As a senior, these opportunities and resources are important to me as I start the job search and apply for graduate schools."

The membership fee is one source for the $500,000 Golden Key awards in scholarships annually. Corporate sponsors like Ford Motor Company and General Mills add to the pool of scholarship money.

Senior Vice President Michael Coughlin explained that the fee not only provides scholarships for students, but also finances the activities of the organization. The Tufts chapter does not receive any financial support from the University.

"[The membership fee] is good because we don't rely on the University for funds," Coughlin said. "The money comes directly to us. That's our budget."

Students in Golden Key receive a feeling of personal triumph after years of hard work, a cost that overshadows the $60, Coughline explained. "You...bust your ass for three years and now you're getting rewarded for it... you pay $60 dollars one time and you're a member for life," he said.