I am a member of Mensa and was wondering whether I should list that on the Common Application. A common misconception about being a member of Mensa is that we don’t do anything. As a member of Mensa, we volunteer, meet up with each other, and stuff like that. Do you think this is a good thing to list on the Common Application?
No-it is not really an extracurricular.
If you are actively (substantially) involved in outreach activities you can put those in. If you have a real role in the admin or organizing side, you can put that in. Be scrupulously honest with yourself: would you put it in if the name of the social club was a Bridge Club, and you did all the same things?
If you are just a member, then no.
If YOU actually do something, then yes.
"Member of Mensa, 11-12 grades. Volunteer tutored with underpriviliged students weekly. 5 hours/week.
You should be aware that many people who qualify for Mensa membership don’t join because they consider Mensa members annoying. You wouldn’t want your application read by one of those people.
Show them your smart. “I am a MENSA member”, tells them your smart. Telling them you are smart will likely lead to a conclusion that you are not that smart.
Thank you all for the comments. I think I’ll leave it out and put something else.
Sorry I am in the minority here. If you are doing something extra outside of school and you go to meetings then yes put it down. You don’t need to explain what and why you have an interest in it. This just shows schools that you just might join and be active in clubs at college. Colleges want active, engaged students in their community regardless what the activity is. That is why at like every college there is a squirrel watching club and another club of people watching the people watch the squirrels. They even boast about this! Whatever your interests are in is fine. I personally think Mensa is very cool. Others will also.
@Nocreativity1 how does a 146 IQ reflect stupidity, or even not being genius?
"This just shows schools that you just might join and be active in clubs at college. Colleges want active, engaged students in their community regardless what the activity is. "
True but hopefully a student has other clubs and activities they have engaged in that aren’t all about being “smart”.
“how does a 146 IQ reflect stupidity, or even not being genius?”
There are many kinds of intelligence. Among others, there is intellectual aptitude and there is social intelligence. If colleges cared about IQ, they’d ask for IQ scores.
The op never said he /she didn’t belong to other clubs just asking about this one. Personally since not many people can join plus it’s different I don’t see any reason not to include it.
“The op never said he /she didn’t belong to other clubs just asking about this one.”
Yup and many of us feel it is best to use the application to put the other clubs down not Mensa.
I think it depends. Let’s say you held an officer position with your local Mensa organization or regularly organized and ran events for Young Mensans. Then it may be worth listing it. I’m an adult member, but rarely mention it — certainly there are people who don’t see it as a positive. So unless you have robust leadership accomplishments within the organization, I would probably not mention it. Another option is to describe a volunteer activity you did with them without mentioning Mensa.
I did list Mensa as one of my activities on the Common App when I was applying; however, I held a position on my local executive board, so I was not simply a member. If you have room on your activities list and your involvement is something you’d like to let the colleges to which you’re applying know about, then I don’t see any problem with listing it. However, if it means knocking another activity off the list, I would consider leaving it off.
In essence – if Mensa is important to you due to your actual involvement, and not just your membership, it makes sense to list it. If you’re simply trying to showcase your intelligence, however, I promise they already know from the rest of your application.
Do what feels best to you! It’s your application – you are showcasing what is important to you. There is no right or wrong answer to this question other than “whatever you are most comfortable with”. It won’t make or break your application either way.
“How does a 146 IQ reflect stupidity, or even not being genius?”
Ivydreams13- Your specificity in citing a 146 IQ as proof of genius is actually the tone you should avoid. Banging your drum and saying “I am smart” does nothing when surrounded by people who are equally smart but allow their actions, achievements and humility to represent them. In fact the lack of self awareness will reflect poorly on you.
Admissions officers evaluate what you will contribute to a community. No community needs a kid that tells everyone how smart they are, they want kids who have displayed intelligence.
If my original point eluded you ironically it proves my point about stupidity (or lack of nuance). I would suggest you be true to yourself and highlight your IQ and let the results speak for themselves. All the best.