PSI CHI
THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
IN PSYCHOLOGY
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Dear Penn State Psychology Student,
Founded on September 4, 1929 at Yale University, Psi Chi has grown to be one of the
largest honor societies in the United States with over 950 chapters nationwide. The
purposes of Psi Chi are to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of
the individual members in all fields, particularly psychology, and to advance the science
of psychology. To achieve these goals directly, the Penn State chapter of Psi Chi offers
bi-weekly meetings and events intended to help students broaden their knowledge of
available career opportunities, prepare for graduate school, and stimulate and encourage
leadership, group involvement, and academic achievement.
Our chapter programs are designed to augment and enhance the regular curriculum, to
afford opportunities for our members to use their talents in roles that are meaningful, and
to promote interaction among fellow members, faculty, and other psychologists.
Membership in Psi Chi not only recognizes your scholastic achievement, but also your
interest in psychology. For example, your membership speaks for the training of your
professors, the quality of the psychology curriculum and the accreditation of your school.
On a National level, Psi Chi sponsors annual conventions in conjunction with the
American Psychological Association (APA). In addition, a national program is held
during the annual convention of the American Psychological Society. Psi Chi also
sponsors national and regional undergraduate and graduate research award programs and
publishes a quarterly national magazine, Eye on Psi Chi, to inform members of Psi Chi's
opportunities at all levels. The magazine is free exclusively to members and will be
given out at one of our regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, the Psi Chi Journal of
Undergraduate Research publishes papers authored by Psi Chi members.
At the chapter level, Penn State Psi Chi involves itself with campus life through both
philanthropic and social activities as well as academic. Penn State Psi Chi holds events
in order to raise money for such well-known philanthropies as UNICEF, Habitat for
Humanity, and the Jimmy Fund. Penn State Psi Chi has two Induction Banquets each
year at which new members are inducted and other members are honored for any
outstanding service to the society, which they may have contributed. Penn State Psi Chi
also has committees that members may become involved with. Recently, Penn State Psi
Chi has become involved in hosting an Undergraduate Research Conference in the
spring, enabling members to become involved in the planning of this conference.
Committee involvement is one of many reasons that have helped make the Penn State
chapter the largest and most successful chapter of Psi Chi. The Penn State chapter of Psi
Chi has been recognized as the #1 largest chapter in the country. Among more than 950
chapters across the country, including schools as prestigious as Stanford and Yale and as
large as Michigan and Ohio State, Penn State University is proud to announce that we are
#1. We are very proud to offer you the opportunity to become part of this very honorable
achievement.
Membership in Psi Chi offers unique advantages that cannot be found elsewhere,
particularly for the price. Almost all applications for graduate school and employment
ask for honors, which are difficult to obtain after one leaves school. Membership in
Psi Chi is open to you as a student, after you graduate it is too late to join. Having a
reference such as Psi Chi on your resume offers an advantage. All membership records
are preserved both at the National office and here at the Penn State chapter and can be
used for reference purposes at no charge. There is a one-time membership fee of $110, of
which $55 goes to the National organization and $55 goes to the local chapter (Penn
State) for dues purposes. This one-time fee of $110 entitles you to a Lifetime
membership in Psi Chi. Your membership entitles you to many things: admission to all
meetings, ability to become involved in chapter events and activities, opportunity to run
for Psi Chi sponsored scholarships and research publication opportunities, as well as free
admission to the Induction Banquet held at the end of the semester in your honor.
If you would like to join Psi Chi, please read through the criteria to join and make sure
that you are eligible to apply for membership (see below). If you are eligible, you may
apply for membership in Psi Chi by completing the attached materials and returning
them, along with a check for $110.00 and an unofficial copy of your transcript, to Ms.
Prestia in room 140 of the Moore Building by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4th.
To apply for membership in Psi Chi, please:
1.
Make sure you have read the criteria to join thoroughly and that you meet them and are
eligible to join
2.
Fill out the attached forms and two registration cards (one card is for the National office
and the other is for our chapter)
3.
Provide an "unofficial undergraduate transcript" (you can obtain one via the Penn State
Web Page from "E-Lion”, or by going to The Advising Office in Moore Bldg. and
requesting one)
4.
Enclose all materials (the application forms, registration cards, and unofficial transcript)
along with your $110 registration fee in a sealed envelope with your name and PSU email
on it, and drop it off to at the Administrative Office (Room 140 Moore Bldg.). You may
also mail in your application if you feel that you cannot find the time to drop it off:
Mail to: Psi Chi Honor Society
Penn State Chapter
c/o Elaine Prestia
140 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802
5.
We hope that all qualified psychology majors and minors will apply for membership in
Psi Chi and attend our meetings, refer to http://www.clubs.psu.edu/psichi for meeting
dates and times. We need your talents to continue the proud traditions of Psi Chi into the
upcoming academic year. We look forward to having you as a new member in Psi Chi,
the National Honor Society in Psychology.
Sincerely,
John Armstong, Jr.
Penn State Psi Chi Chapter President
2015-2015 Penn State Chapter Officers:
John Armstrong, Jr.
jpa5162@psu.edu
President
Sarah Hammaker
smh5861@psu.edu
Vice President
Lauryn Luchaco
lil5221@psu.edu
Secretary
Alyssa San Jose
als6340@psu.edu
Treasurer
Taylor Tregear
tjt5229@psu.edu
Thon Chair
2015-2016 Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Cathleen Hunt
cbh11@psu.edu
Psi Chi Administrative Assistant:
Elaine Prestia
erp3@psu.edu
140 Moore building
Please feel free to email any of the officers with any questions you may have.
CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
You are asked to read these criteria fully and carefully and make sure that you are eligible to join before
proceeding to fill out the application. If you find you are not eligible to join, do not be discouraged. You may
find yourself eligible within the near future after the completion of more classes to fulfill the criteria.
1.
PSYCHOLOGY - you must be enrolled as either a major or minor in psychology
2.
SEMESTER STANDING - you must have completed 3 semesters of college, or 36 college credits, or
equivalent thereof
3.
CLASSES - you must have taken PSYCH 100 (PSY 002) and at least two 200 level or higher
psychology classes, or the equivalent thereof (these classes must have been completed in full to be
considered eligible, classes that are currently being taken during the semester are not applicable)
4.
GPA - you must have an overall cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0 and a psychology GPA of no less
than 3.2 (STAT 200 and ENGL 202A may be used to calculate psychology GPA since they are required
for the major)
5.
CHARACTER - as a student who wishes to be a member of an honor society you are expected to
conduct yourself in an orderly fashion and have high standards of personal behavior
6.
ATTENDANCE - once you are a member of Psi Chi, you are expected to attend a minimum of at least
five meetings per semester out of the six that are usually held every other Tuesday night.
The total fee for Psi Chi membership is $110.00. The Psi Chi National membership fee is $55.00. This one-time fee pays
for a lifetime Psi Chi membership, a certificate of membership, and a membership card. The Psi Chi newsletter, Eye on
Psi Chi, is provided to the chapter to distribute to all current collegiate members. The Penn State chapter membership fee
is $55.00. This entitles you to admittance to all meetings, events, and a free dinner at our Induction Banquet.
National Membership Dues.......................$55.00
Penn State Chapter Dues............................$55.00
Total submitted........................................$110.00
(check method of payment)
Check ___ Check #______________
Money Order___
#______________
CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED!!
All checks or money orders should be made out to ’Psi Chi’. Also, please put your name and student number on the check
or money order.
I hereby give my permission for a Psi Chi Officer, or delegate thereof, to review my academic records in relation to
membership in Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology.
Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ________________________
Enclose all materials (the application forms, registration cards, and an unofficial transcript) along with your $110.00 registration fee in a sealed
envelope with your name on it. Please drop it off at the Advising Office (140 Moore Bldg.). You may also mail in your application if you feel that
you cannot find the time to drop it off:
mail to: Psi Chi Honor Society
Penn State Chapter
c/o Elaine Prestia
140 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802
Membership application deadline is March 4th at 4pm. Please drop off applications with Elaine Prestia in 140 Moore
Building.