FAQs

History & Facts

  1. What is Golden Key?
    • Golden Key is the largest collegiate honor society in the world!
    • Membership into the Society is by invitation only, to the top 15% of college/university sophomores, juniors, seniors and top performing US graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements.
    • Golden Key, as of July 1, 2008, has over 350 chapters at universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates.
    • Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501C(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
  2. What are Golden Key's mission, vision, and values?
    Vision:
    GK is the world's premier honor society. We recognize academic excellence and provide tangible value to our student members, advisors, recent alumni, and partners while positively impacting their lives and society.
    Mission:
    To enable members to realize their potential.
    Values:
    Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Diversity, Excellence, Engagement
  3. Who are Golden Key members?

    Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over 1.7 million members from 151 countries. Members include students from all over the world, faculty members, university staff, university presidents, teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders, and many more.

Benefits of Membership

  1. Why should I join Golden Key? What are the benefits?

    Membership into the Society is by invitation only, to the top 15% of college/university sophomores, juniors, seniors, and top performing US graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on the objective criteria of their academic achievements. The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through leadership, career development, networking and community service. In addition, a number of scholarships and awards are available for members to apply for as well as special discount programs with participating vendors such as Princeton Review Test Prep and Bank of America. For details and the latest on membership benefits, visit www.goldenkey.org.

    The Golden Key Advantage: Member Benefits
    • Scholarships amounting to $400,000 awarded to members annually.
    • Recognition of a student’s academic achievement by an internationally recognized honors organization. Membership is restricted to junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students who are at the top 15% of their class at Golden Key-approved universities and colleges.
    • New members will receive a press release that can be provided to their local hometown newspaper.
    • Listing membership on a résumé is a mark of distinction and can strengthen the résumé for review by graduate school admissions and employers.
    • Access to Golden Key’s CareerLink (available to members only).
    • An On-line Career Assistance Center on the Golden Key web site provides an on-line career library, company profiles, occupational profiles and lots of other information to help you in your career progression. This reference site, valued at more than $1,000, is powered by Vault.com (rated #1 career site by Fortune Magazine) and access for members is FREE until 6 months after the member’s graduation.
    • Access to major corporate & non-profit partners members for internships and full-time employment.
    • Opportunities to develop leadership skills.
    • Attend international and regional leadership training conferences.
    • Networking with students, faculty, university staff, and community leaders on a local, national or international scale.
    • Receive notifications from Golden Key about scholarships, new benefits and employment opportunities.
    • Receive Golden Key’s monthly electronic newsletter.
    • Enjoy special discounts for members. For the latest offerings, please visit the web at www.goldenkey.org. Special discounts are available to Golden Key members with GK Rewards Program, Books-a-Million, Princeton Review, GEICO, New York Times, Hotels.com, and other retailers and products.
    • New members receive a membership certificate at their chapter’s new member recognition event. Certificates will be available at the induction only for members who join by the deadline. Members who join after the deadline (or on campuses where a new member recognition event is not held) will receive their membership certificate in the mail.
  2. What are the special discount programs available for Golden Key members?

    These discounts are subject to change. You may be asked to provide your Golden Key membership number to receive the special discount. To secure your membership number please visit www.goldenkey.org, click “GK Members Only.”

    The Discounts: go to www.goldenkey.org, click “Benefits of Membership,” then click “Exclusive Discounts”

    • Books-a-Million - Save an additional 10% on all purchases.
    • GEICO Insurance
    • GEICO offers discounts and special programs that can save you money on your automobile insurance premiums. The discounts and programs vary. Call 1-800-861-8380 and be sure to indicate your Golden Key affiliation.
    • Bank of America Master Card
    • The Golden Key credit card program helps fund the Society’s scholarship program.
    • Princeton Review Test Prep
    • Golden Key members save $100 on any GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCAT prep course. Call 1-800-2Review.
    • Hotels.com
    • Enjoy the benefit of the Internet’s largest specialized provider of discount accommodations worldwide. In partnership with Hotels.com, you can get savings of up to 70% off regular hotel rates in some of the world’s most popular and expensive cities. This benefit is accessible via the Golden Key website.
    • The New York Times
    • Golden Key members are entitled to discounts of up to 50% on subscriptions to the New York Times. Additionally, student members & advisors receive 50% off delivery and faculty receives special classroom rates!
    • Marsh Affinity Group Service
    • Short term medical insurance for Golden Key members. See the GK web site or call 1-800 503-9230.
    • Golden Key Rewards Programs
    • Shopping program providing you and your family with offers to private shopping events and exclusive discounts on more than 22,000 brand name products and services.
  3. After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits?

    Yes, the following benefits will remain available to members after obtaining their undergraduate degree:

    • A number of scholarship programs including the $10,000 scholarships to fund graduate or professional
      • school.
    • Golden Key will continue to stay in touch with you after your graduation to remind you of member
      • benefits as long as you update your contact information with Golden Key once a year online at www.goldenkey.org, click “GK Members Only.”
    • Some members who have graduated continue to remain involved with the local university’s Golden Key chapter
    • Golden Key alumni members are eligible for other select member discounts and promotions after graduation. (See www.goldenkey.org for current information about alumni benefits or contact memberservices@goldenkey.org).