How would something like 'IQ' do in my application?

hoedown
Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:59:01 +0000

IQ shows you have the potential to be a successful, engaged student. However, it doesn’t show that much better than the standard measure of potential college use, SAT and/or the ACT. Moreover, it doesn’t say anything about what you do with that potential. Your transcript and grades show that.

Mensa (I assume you mean Mensa) also allows people to enter on test scores alone. Members don’t need to take an IQ test. Realistically, then, some number of your fellow applicants could readily be members of Mensa just as you are.

This question was recently discussed on these forums, by the way–you may want to search for it.



The person reading your app would probably have a lower IQ, and get ****ed–sorry, but that’s just the anti-intellectual nature of American culture. Best to leave it out, and instead demonstrate uses of that IQ (math contests, writing awards, etc.).



I agree that some people feel negative about Mensa membership, but in my experience it’s not just among those who have lower, non-qualifying IQs. I would repeat what I said to someone else–it doesn’t demonstrate anything that your test scores don’t already reveal. Since it’s not a plus in that sense, and since some people might see it at a negative, I wouldn’t use either your IQ or your membership in an IQ-based club as a strong selling point in your app.