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First-Year Student Honor Societies

William & Mary has two first-year student honor societies advised through the Office of Student Transition Engagement Programs: Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma.

To be eligible for membership, students must receive a cumulative QPA of 3.5 or higher at the close of either the first or second semester of your first year at William & Mary. A student must be enrolled full-time for a course of study leading to a Bachelor's Degree. As membership is life-long, students are not required to maintain a 3.5 average. Students will be notified by campus email if they are eligible for membership. Those invited to join will be inducted in the Spring. The membership fee and local dues to join each society are $50.00 (in Spring 2024). Financial assistance is available to invited students on an individual basis.

FHS Details

Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society for First-Year Success "Alpha Lambda Delta...encouraging the principles of effective living and learning." -Stephen Moret, Student Member-at-large, Louisiana State University  Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year in college. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1924, Alpha Lambda Delta became a national organization as chapters were established at Purdue University in 1926 and at Depauw University in 1927. Its purpose is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist women and men in developing their academic, career, and personal goals. Benefits of Membership Lifetime membership Professional quality certificate Initiation key or lapel pin Sophomore membership awards Opportunity to serve on National Council The Flame magazine National workshops Maria Leonard Senior Book Award Graduate study fellowships Local chapter activities Recognition and prestige of national honor society membership

Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society for first-year college students. Our goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-year students in institutions of higher learning. The oldest and largest freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923. We now have more than 300 chapters throughout the United States and more than 550,000 members. Phi Eta Sigma was voted membership into the Association of College Honor Societies in 1937. Only three societies have had longer continuous membership. Benefits of Membership Lifetime membership Membership certificate and pin Chance to attend national conventions The Forum national magazine Study pamphlet entitled Hints on Learning and Studying National scholarships and undergraduate awards Recognition of personal accomplishment Incentive for continued high scholarship Opportunity to meet other students to promote academic excellence National membership identifies you to employers and professional and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and performance

Please contact the Office of Student Transition Engagement Programs for more information.