Lere18 Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Is a membership in MENSA worth anything or is it more a scam for money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I think it depends on how active your local chapter is, and whether they engage in interesting activities for your child. Our local chapter seems to be most interested in promoting labels, so we haven't seen a reason to join. I know that some chapters put a lot of effort into group experiences for the kids, and I would venture a guess that they could be very much worth joining. The label itself does not mean much. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lere18 Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 The youth program out here seems reasonably active. Lots of meet ups that seem to focus on building things and exploring nature. I've been told by one person that it's worth the investment and told by a few people that it's not. The dues are so steep that I'm not sure they're worth paying. Other than get togethers, is there any other reason to join MENSA? Will it help come college time or anything? I'm on the fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) It won't do anything for college. I would only join if they have cool activities or seminars for your kid or you. Edited March 2, 2017 by SeaConquest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 For MENSA, only one family member needs to qualify. After seeing some of the press releases on kids from the local group here, I made the decision that if we did it, we'd use DH or my scores, not DD's. I didn't want the first thing anyone learns about her (like, say, a college googling her) to be her IQ score. It may be less of an issue for other chapters, or for older kids. I haven't looked at it since because we have found other sources and outlets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I think it depends on how active your local chapter is, and whether they engage in interesting activities for your child. Our local chapter seems to be most interested in promoting labels, so we haven't seen a reason to join. I know that some chapters put a lot of effort into group experiences for the kids, and I would venture a guess that they could be very much worth joining. The label itself does not mean much. :iagree: We joined years ago when the kids were younger hoping to find some kids' activities. When that didn't happen, we didn't renew the membership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 It won't do anything for college. I would only join of they have cool activities or seminars for your kid or you. I could even see it as a negative on a college application for some admissions counselors. IQ does not equate to performance or character. Boasting, however, does say something. I'd bet most counselors would just ignore it, and almost none would see it as a difference maker in the good way. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 I think Davidson is probably a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 And, to be honest, I don't think many people put DYS on college applications, either, unless their child is a Davidson Fellow (or maybe the Ambassador program, where a handful of kids every 2 years are given support and mentoring to do a major community service project). Even for early entry, what colleges want to see is achievement test scores and grades and personal achievements from recent years, not years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 It really depends on the local group. I know our local group lets you see the schedule online but not the details. So, it might say, "Snakes galore at DMettler's house" 3pm Saturday. But, unless you know where DMettler lives, you have to login. I wouldn't worry about the IQ scores getting posted anywhere. They aren't posted or discussed. If you are interested in joining, I'd use the easiest accessible test scores from anyone in the family. Also, there might be a collection of kids locally that would like to do those things, but no one has added kids things to the schedule. Our group has an active kid's group. Also, we will be travelling to our first (AG) Annual Gathering this summer in Florida. We are willing to travel because of the kid's program and we think DD will be old enough to enjoy it by then. A few years ago the AG was local and DH and I attended. I watched a mother literally dragging her early-teen son into the area and to the kid's room. A few hours later I happened to be sitting near her in hospitality and her son comes up all smiles and says. "I found my peeps." Mensa has a facebook group for homeschooling mensans. It is shockingly worthless. I've sent homeschooling mensans here rather than there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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