Welcome invited students!
Greetings and congratulations to those who received letters of membership invitation from the Arizona State University chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta national first-year honor societies.
Your academic record at ASU meets the requirement for admission to our local and national organizations! (For details on the membership criteria, see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.)
Phi Eta Sigma & Alpha Lambda Delta are among the highest academic honors attainable by first year students at Arizona State University, and each is a nationally recognized indication of your superior scholarship.
We look forward to welcoming you into the ASU chapter of Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta. In the meanwhile, this page provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the society, its activities and how to get involved.
Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Lambda Delta was founded in 1924 at the University of Illinois to afford women the same benefits as the male only Phi Eta Sigma and today has over two hundred-fifty chapters with more than 700,000 students.
Phi Eta Sigma
The oldest and largest freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, and now has more than three hundred chapters throughout the United States and more than 800,000 members.
PES-ALD Joint Chapter
In response to Title IX in the 1970s, both National Honor Societies became coeducational and have recently formed an alliance to recognize their common beginnings. Each chapter of Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta is allowed to determine if it would like joint chapter status. Arizona State's chapter has chosen to be a joint chapter, affording our members twice the opportunities and recognition.
These National Honor Societies and the ASU chapter exist to recognize students, who in their critical first year of college, have achieved academic excellence while in transition to their new school environment, and to provide support and opportunities for the continued growth and success throughout their educational career.
Freqently Asked Questions
Why Join?
Why was I invited?
Students are invited to join Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta based solely on their academic performance at ASU. Membership invitations are extended each year to:
1. Undergraduates who are
2. Enrolled full-time and are
3. Degree-seeking (in a degree program)
4. With a GPA of 3.5 or higher
5. In either their first or second freshman semester at ASU.
Less than 3% of ASU students qualify each year.
We are a "first-year" (or "freshman") honor society in that membership is based on grades from that academic year; ALL invited members are in their second/sophomore year.
What benefits do I receive?
Members receive:
- a personalized membership certificate for BOTH national societies
- a membership key (pin) for BOTH national societies
- annual magazines from BOTH societies
- local and national leadership and involvement opportunities, and
- eligibility for national and local scholarships, from BOTH societies.
This is in addition to having the nationally-known honor for your employment and further education applications.
How is Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta distinct?
Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta at ASU is distinct in that we:
- Recognize purely academic achievement. No other criteria are considered beyond GPA.
- Jointly confer membership in TWO national societies, with all the benefits of both.
- Carry a national reputation for academic excellence of first-year students--an honor shared by members.
- Offer a large number of scholarships at the national level.
- Offer leadership and involvement opportunities at the local and national levels.
Good students may receive membership invitations and/or financial solicitations from multiple organizations, not all of which have committed to the national ethical, financial and organizational standards of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), of which both Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta are long-standing members. In evaluating our and other invitations, we encourage students and families to review the ACHS "Standards Alert," found on-line at www.achsnatl.org.
How do I join?
Where do I send my completed form and check?
You can mail your form and fee to the address at the bottom of your invitation, also given here: ASU Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta chapter, c/o ASU Barrett Honors College, PO Box 871612, Tempe, AZ 85287-1816. Alternately, you can drop off the form and fee at the Barrett Honors College office (Tempe campus Irish A Hall) or at the club coordinator's office (Tempe campus Stauffer Hall 419).
What if I have lost my form?
If you have misplaced your form or if your invitation letter did not include a blank form (sorry!), you can:
- pick up blank forms at the club coordinator's office (Tempe campus Stauffer Hall 419), OR
- pick up blank forms at the the Barrett Honors College office (Tempe campus Irish A Hall), OR
- download a .PDF version of the form here. NOTE: You'll need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ software to download and/or print. Download it FREE at: www.adobe.com.
All submitted forms will be verified against eligibility/invitation lists; memberships criteria apply.
Is it too late to join?
It's never too late to join; your invitation never expires. If you've missed this year's induction ceremony, you can still join, receive your materials and participate fully in the chapter. Simply complete and return the forms, and you're set! If you'd like, you also can participate in the next induction ceremony.
How can I be invited to join?
Invitations are mailed each year to students meeting our membership criteria, as provided by a report from the ASU student database. In some instances, students or families do not receive or respond to the initial invitations, and a student later wishes to join. In all cases, the membership invitation never expires.
In rare instances, the automated report does not capture all eligible students (degree or full-status coding is not updated on the report run date, etc). If you meet all the criteria above, and did not receive an invitation, please our club coordinator. We can check our records to see if an invitation was made; or with transcript evidence of eligibility, offer membership retroactively.
How much does it cost to join?
There is a one-time $55.00 USD initiation fee (cash or check/money order payable to "Phi Eta Sigma"), which includes national and local membership for BOTH societies. Even together, the joint memberships remain one of the most inexpensive academic honors at ASU and in the nation. There are no further national or local dues thereafter.
Can I pay by credit/debit card?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept payments by credit or debit cards at this time. Checks or money orders (in US$ and payable to "Phi Eta Sigma"), and cash are our time-honored methods of accepting fees.
Am I a member without returning the form and fee?
No. We have extended you only an invitation to join based on your academic performance. In order to become a member, to list the recognition on your professional and academic records, and to receive membership benefits, you must accept the membership by returning the fee and forms.
What if I'm no longer an ASU student?
You can still join! Your invitation and membership are based on your first year grades at ASU. You do not have to continue studies at ASU to join, and can transfer your ASU-granted membership to a new college/university that has a chapter after joining.
Induction Ceremony
When/Where is it?
To be announced.
What if I cannot attend?
You can still join. While attendance at the induction ceremony is strongly encouraged, we recognize that not every invited student can make it. We will hold your membership materials for pick-up at the club coordinator's office (Stauffer Hall 419) after the ceremony date. All members are invited to future ceremonies, so that you can see and participate in a ceremony if you'd like.
What should I wear?
This is a formal ceremony. Most people wear a dress or a coat and tie; business casual would be acceptable: a skirt and blouse, or slacks and a collared shirt.
What happens at the ceremony?
Incoming members are introduced to the Societies' histories and ideals, meet the current officers and members, sign the chapter registers, receive their Society pins and certificates, and learn about upcoming events. A light reception follows.
Whom can I bring?
Family and friends are always welcome to attend the ceremony to celebrate the new member's achievements.
Membership Materials
What do I get?
Each member receives a personalized membership certificate, a membership key (pin) and a copy of the Society magazine, for BOTH national societies.
How can I get my materials?
After the Induction Ceremony, all membership materials that we've received from the national office, are available for pick-up at the club coordinator's office (Stauffer Hall 419, on the Tempe Campus) by appointment. Please contact the club coordinator to schedule a time to pick-up your membership materials. If you would prefer to pick-up your materials at the Polytechnic, West or Downtown Phoenix campus, please contact the club coordinator, and we'll arrange to have them sent there for pick-up.
My certificate is incorrect. How do I get it fixed?
We can order replacement, corrected certificates for mistakes (e.g., misspellings). For changes such as addition/removal of middle name or initial, etc. not indicated on the returned membership slips, there is a $3 charge. Please bring the certificate with the desired changes noted on it, to the club coordinator's office, with any payment. We'll order, and contact you when the replacement has arrived.
My name and/or address was incorrect on the letter/label.
The letters and labels were generated from official ASU Registrar data; therefore any mistakes are part of your official university records. To provide corrected information for your PES/ALD membership certificate and our records, please note the correct information on your membership forms. Keep in mind that notifying us will not correct your ASU records; you'll need to contact the Registrar's office too!
When I'm a member
What does the chapter do?
Beyond annual recognition of our new members and the national societies' conferences, the chapter does as much or little as the members wish. The chapter is currently involved with community service projects and member socials. See our calendar for current activities. The membership determines to what degree the chapter is active, and of course each member can determine how involved she/he will be personally.
Does joining mean I can't join other organizations or honoraries?
Absolutely not! Phi Eta Sigma - Alpha Lambda Delta members are free to join other Greek letter societies (such as fraternities, sororities and other honoraries) now and in the future. For many members, PES/ALD is only one of many honors they receive during their college careers.
Do I need to maintain my GPA to remain a member?
No. Recognition is based on first year grades only. While we expect that members will continue to excel in their academic careers, there are no academic checks or requirements after that time.