Membership Requirements

Undergraduates

• Have completed at least 3 semesters or 5 quarters of college work
• Have a minimum of 2 college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshmen English
• Have a minimum of a B or equivalent GPA in English
• Rank at least in the highest 35% of their class in general scholarship (or have a B average)

Graduates

• Be enrolled in a graduate program in English, or one of its specializations
• Have completed six semester hours of graduate work or the equivalent
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.3
   

How to Become a Member

Membership is by invitation, extended through our chapter on behalf of the international organization. You can also apply for membership by simply contacting our advisor or one of the officers and giving your name, address, email, graduation year, class rank (undergrad or grad), and U#. After we are able to confirm that you meet the requirements, you then submit a one-time international initiation fee of $37, which goes toward your certificate, pin, and subscription to the international Sigma Tau Delta publications.

Benefits of Membership

Membership in Sigma Tau Delta is an outward recognition of personal accomplishment. It provides opportunities for those interested in English language and literature to join with like-minded people on the local, regional, national, and international levels. Some additional benefits:

• Members receive a one-year subscription to Sigma Tau Delta publications with their initial fee: the fall and spring Newsletter and the two literary publications, The Rectangle and The Sigma Tau Delta Review.

• Members can compete for several $1,000 - $3,000 scholarships and awards.

• Members can apply for internship opportunities with a major publishing company.

• Members can submit papers for presentation at the International Convention that is held every spring.

• Members can submit papers for publication in The Rectangle and The Sigma Tau Delta Review.

• Members meet one of the U.S. Civil Service Commission requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in numerous professional and technical occupations in the Federal Service (see www.achsnatl.org/achsbene.asp). This also means that students graduating with a B.S. or B.A., many of them entering at GS-5 level, move up considerably in the salary scale - up to $5,000 or more per year - for membership in Sigma Tau Delta.

• Members can apply for internships through the Washington Intership Institute (WII), the premier internship program in Washinton, DC. WII and the Association of College Honor Societies offer $500 scholarships to all Sigma Tau Delta members who participate in WII's program. Internships are available in ALL majors. Scholarships may be applied to either tuition or housing. For more information, visit, www.achsnatl.org/wii_index.asp.

• Members are eligible to apply for a merit-based $1,000 scholarship to attend The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Summer Institute or Capital Semester. This scholarship is available to one Sigma Tau Delta member through a parnership with the Association of College Honor Societies and TFAS. For more information, visit www.achsnatl.org/tfas_index.asp.

• Members are eligible for scholarships to help cover housing expenses in the internship program at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) through a partnership with The Association of College Honor Societies. TWC is pleased to provide three $1,000 scholarships a year to Sigma Tau Delta members (both undergraduates and recent college graduates). For more information, please visit www.achsnatl.org/twc_index.asp.

• Female members can take advantage of a complimentary membership to Women for Hire ($38 value), which offers advice, solutions, networking, tools, tips, and other career resources and guidance. Visit Women For Hire for full membership details. (To take advantage of the membership offer, email michelle@womenforhire.com and include Sigma Tau Delta in the subject line.)