<p>Well I recently got to know about a certain group(it's rather formal, and kind of a big group.. not private) that accepts only ppl with high IQ for new members</p>
<p>I just got interested and took the IQ test which I got IQ 148.</p>
<p>That was much high above the cutoff line and I got accepted.. and they ranked me 'genius-superior'</p>
<p>Well, I'm a highschool kid interested in Sci and Math and i'm looking forward to apply to top schools.. (my biggest preference is MIT)</p>
<p>and I'm wondering if this will do me any good when I put it up in the application.</p>
<p>Of course I'm not going to put this up as my main item or something
but still, would it be worth to write in my resume, and possibly do me any bonus in getting in?</p>
<p>It is completely unnecessary to mention your IQ because that's what the SAT is for. Hands down, most students at top schools have that level of IQ.</p>
<p>In my opinion people who put their IQ score on their resume are bigheaded and that will likely be counterproductive in college admissions. Anyways, colleges don't really care how high your IQ is but how you are putting it to work.</p>
<p>The person reading your app would probably have a lower IQ, and get ****ed--sorry, but that's just the anti-intellectual nature of American culture. Best to leave it out, and instead demonstrate uses of that IQ (math contests, writing awards, etc.).</p>
<p>unless the local Mensa club actually does something besides just meet and socialize, I would use the space for clubs and activites for something more meaningful. Just belonging to a club isn't significant -- there are all kind of fancy math and science clubs you can join, but that isn't going to help you get into a top school.</p>
<p>Look at it this way -- it is like subscribing to a magazine. Many people can subscribe to a magazine, but it is what you do with what you read that makes the difference -- not the fact that you subscribe.</p>
<p>I actually think listing Mensa would hurt you on the application -- simply because you have limited space to list ECs and Activities and when you include Mensa, that means you don't have anything better to put on that line.</p>
<p>IQs dont mean nothing at all in college apps. They (college admissions)consider IQs too unreliable to determine how good you are as a student, it simply tell you that youre smart, nothing else. Being smart doesnt mean youre a good or desirable student.</p>
<p>My IQs 148 as well, only one other student matched my IQ, and noone else got anywhere near mine back in my superselective catholic highschool (they never admit more than 200 students every yr).
The same as yours, they marked me as the genius. Did it even matter? nope. I was lazy as hell and when I graduated I placed 5th in school, the other "genius" ended up 2nd. Another student I know had an IQ score of 92, one of the lowest in school. She placed 7th in school, and she also got into top university. Go figure.</p>
<p>IQ shows you have the potential to be a successful, engaged student. However, it doesn't show that much better than the standard measure of potential college use, SAT and/or the ACT. Moreover, it doesn't say anything about what you do with that potential. Your transcript and grades show that.</p>
<p>Mensa (I assume you mean Mensa) also allows people to enter on test scores alone. Members don't need to take an IQ test. Realistically, then, some number of your fellow applicants could readily be members of Mensa just as you are. </p>
<p>This question was recently discussed on these forums, by the way--you may want to search for it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The person reading your app would probably have a lower IQ, and get ****ed--sorry, but that's just the anti-intellectual nature of American culture. Best to leave it out, and instead demonstrate uses of that IQ (math contests, writing awards, etc.).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree that some people feel negative about Mensa membership, but in my experience it's not just among those who have lower, non-qualifying IQs. I would repeat what I said to someone else--it doesn't demonstrate anything that your test scores don't already reveal. Since it's not a plus in that sense, and since some people might see it at a negative, I wouldn't use either your IQ or your membership in an IQ-based club as a strong selling point in your app.</p>
<p>IQ tells you one thing. You're smart. But can you measure this kind of thing to the number? No. Smart people will score well, not so smart people will not. But it's not like 148 means anything different from 145, or 140 for that matter.</p>
<p>Secondly, Mensa makes it difficult to score high, but once you near the cutoff, it becomes significantly easier to have a higher score, because, of course, they want more membership.</p>
<p>Actual IQ tests can only be administered by a certain group of people (I want to say a certain field of medical professionals). There is NO test you can buy and/ or take yourself to determine your IQ.</p>
<p>"Look at it this way -- it is like subscribing to a magazine. Many people can subscribe to a magazine, but it is what you do with what you read that makes the difference -- not the fact that you subscribe."</p>
<p>This is an excellent analogy for extracurricular activites. The subscription itself may say a little about your interests...but top schools are looking for the type of people that write letters to the editor :p</p>
<p>Fair or not, there is sometimes a NEGATIVE image about Mensa as well that you should be aware of. Kinda like the remark about the "dungeons and dragons" club. Are they both legitimate clubs/passions? Yes. But sometimes there are negative connotations with each as well. Something to be mindful about.</p>