<p>I just looked at Mensa's website and saw that I qualify with my PSAT scores (probably most people on CC do...the minimum is 180). Would that be worth my time? I know they're smart and all, but since I'm not a member, I don't know if it's organized in a way that would look good on an Ivy league application.</p>
<p>Being a Mensa member only means you are of high intelligence, something that colleges can determine from your SAT scores -- what colleges use for admissions decisions. Consequently, joining Mensa won't help you with college admissions.</p>
<p>^ Agreed. Mensa is an organization for intellectual discussion among people in the top 2% of the population.</p>
<p>Two reasons this will not help:
-Many (if not most) applicants to Princeton would qualify for Mensa, so it would not set you apart.
-As far as I know, there is not much opportunity for leadership/substantial influence, so this would be an EC that shows nothing other than "membership", which means little.</p>
<p>That's what I thought. Thanks!</p>
<p>MENSA does not accept PSAT scores prior to 5/1993...</p>
<p>If you find Mensa and its events to be of interest to you, then go for it. If you're looking for a "leg up" in the EC realm, then don't waste your time and keep searching for something that actually interests you.</p>
<p>As for the perceived "prestige" level of Mensa in college admissions, it's on par with "Honor Roll" in my opinion. My personal interaction w/people in the organization is that they are socially.... "unique". I'll leave it at that.</p>
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<p>"unique" or "inept?" ;)</p>
<p>Yeah, I have always thought that it is great to qualify for Mensa and be a part of it, but one of the worst things you can do is act like you think its some great accomplishment. You wont ever impress anyone by asserting your IQ. I'm a member, but its not like I actually do anything really - its not dedication or anything. Its a even more meaningless test that SATs.</p>
<p>Search and you shall find: </p>