1.  What is Golden Key?

•  A non-profit international academic honors organization that recognizes the top 15% of juniors and seniors in ALL undergraduate fields. The minimum cumulative GPA at NMSU is 3.3 to be eligible.

• Historical Facts

  • Found on November 29, 1977, at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia (International Headquarters location).

  • The Society has chapters at more than 300 major colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and South Africa.

  • The NMSU Chapter was founded in April 1989.

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2. What are the benefits of joining Golden Key?

• Recognition among the top achieving juniors and seniors not only at your campus, but on an international scale.

• Golden Key membership is a mark of distinction recognized by graduate schools and employers (resume).

• Exclusive internship and employment opportunities:

  • Twelve major corporate sponsors

  • Free exclusive on-line resume service in partnership with Monster.com

  • Career Assistance Reference (publication listing over 500 leading employers)

• Numerous scholarships and awards.

• Network with students, faculty, administration and community leaders on an international scale.

• Opportunities to develop leadership skills by becoming an officer.

• Receive and opportunity to be published in CONCEPTS (award-winning annual magazine) and Key Notes (bi-annual newsletter).

• Attend international conventions and regional conferences.

• More Great Benefits:

  • Participate in the Ford College Graduate Program and receive a $400 discount on the purchase of a new Ford vehicle

  • Save $50 to $100 on Gateway computers. Members receive 50% off shipping and handling.

  • Accounting majors will receive free CPA exam preparation software from KPMG.

  • Secure the Golden Key Credit Card from MBNA to establish credit, enjoy low interest rates and support the Golden Key Scholarship Endowment.

  • Save 15 to 40% on textbooks with Varsitybooks.com. Golden Key members receive an extra $10 off orders over $100.

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• Junior or senior status and at least 25 credits at the current institution.
• top 15% of juniors and seniors, which is a university GPA of 3.3.

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• All students are welcome!
• All full- and part-time students from all fields of study.
• All traditional, non-traditional and international students.

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• Once you become a member, you are a lifetime member. Your membership will not be withdrawn.

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•  The one-time-only fee supports your local chapter:
  • Local scholarships
  • Certificates of membership
  • Publications
  • Regional conferences
  • International convention
  • Induction/reception ceremony
  • Sophomore recognition event

  • Local service activities

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• No. There is a one-time-only, lifetime membership fee that is administered when an individual joins.

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• Twelve $10,000 graduate scholarships and other scholarship programs.
• Free exclusive on-line resume service featuring thousands of positions nationwide and internationally.
• Alumni chapters – visit the Golden Key web site to network and to learn about how to remain active with Golden Key in your local community.
• More great benefits:
  • Alumni members can save up to $200 or more off current rates with the Golden Key MBNA auto insurance program.
  • Our exclusive Wohler’s Insurance program offers graduates vital health insurance coverage for the period between their college graduation and the start of their first job.
  • Our new student loan consolidation program sponsored by Educational Financial Group will allow Golden Key members to potentially save hundreds in interest payments.

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• Opportunities to participate are available. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.
• Make the most out of your membership:
  • Involve yourself in leadership opportunities by becoming an officer or committee member.
  • Participate in community activities and projects – a rewarding experience.

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• Your information was not received from the registrar’s office.
• You may have a non release code on your information, meaning that at some point you notified the University to not release your information to organizations, like Golden Key.
• Have you recently moved, married?
• Did you recently receive junior status?
• Was your letter of invitation sent to your permanent address?
• Contact Chapter Advisor, Tawny Aguirre at taguirre@nmsu.edu.

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• Once we verify that you are at least a junior, have at least 26 credits at NMSU, and that you meet the GPA requirements, we can send you a letter of invitation.

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• Yes, if your undergraduate institution has a Golden Key chapter and if you have met that chapter’s membership requirements, you could join at your undergraduate university. You will need to submit a copy of your undergraduate transcript to the advisor of that chapter.

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• Do we have your correct address and phone numbers?
• Does the international headquarters have your correct information?
• Have you subscribe to the NMSU GK List Serve?
• Contact the Chapter Advisor: Tawny Aguirre at taguirre@nmsu.edu.

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• Corporate partners offer career opportunities and marketing programs to students. They also support our community service and scholarship programs worldwide.
• Our corporate partners are Bank of America, Delta Technology, Dow Chemical Company, Ford Motor Company, Gateway, General Mills, KPMG, MBNA, Merck & Co., Monster.com and Motorola.Inc. 

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• Golden Key members can send their resume to over 7,000 companies on-line. Visit Golden Key’s web site for this service (http://gknhs.gsu.edu)

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• This is a listing of over 500 companies that wish to hire Golden Key members. These companies have committed to giving special consideration to Golden Key members when they hire.
• One copy of this publication is sent to the advisor of each chapter. This copy should be kept in the advisor’s office for review by Golden Key members only.
• Golden Key members can purchase a copy of the Career Assistance Reference for $17.50 by calling the international headquarters @ 1-800-377-2401.
• A disk with employers’ contact information in database format for merging into letters may be purchased with the Career Assistance Reference for an additional $2.50.

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• The scholarship application is also the membership profile form, which is mailed with the letter of invitation. This form must be received at international headquarters by the membership deadline date for the student to be considered for the scholarship.
• The scholarship recipients, as well as the runners-up, are chosen by the Scholarship Committee at the international headquarters in Atlanta. Emphasis is placed upon academic honors, scholastic ability, leadership in collegiate activities and participation in extracurricular and work activities.

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• Board of Directors (college presidents, higher education leaders and founding members)
• Golden Key Council (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Council Student Representative)
• Academic Coordinating Committee (one advisor serves per region)
• Regional Student Representative (one per region)

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