Guyde LogoGuyde

guyde blog

Are Honor Societies Worth It? A Guide to PTK and AGS

April 6, 2026 • 12 min read

honor societyPTKAGStransfer

Are Honor Societies Worth It? A Deep Dive into PTK and AGS

Every semester, thousands of community college students receive a mysterious email: "You've been invited to join Phi Theta Kappa!" accompanied by a request for a membership fee. Is this a legitimate honor or an expensive line on a resume that nobody cares about? This guide breaks down the truth about honor societies at Santa Monica College.

1. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK): The International Standard

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest and most prestigious honor society specifically for two-year colleges. It is an international organization, meaning its name carries weight at almost every university in the United States.

PTK Membership Facts:

  • Eligibility: Usually a 3.5 cumulative GPA and 12 completed degree-applicable units.
  • The Fee: Expect to pay a one-time fee of roughly $80 - $100 (SMC has its own chapter dues on top of the international fee).
  • Transcript Notation: Once you join, your official transcript will list you as a "Member of Phi Theta Kappa."

The Real Benefit: Scholarsoft and Transfer Scholarships

The #1 reason to join PTK is NOT the resume line—it is the Scholarships. Many private universities (like USC, LMU, and out-of-state schools) offer dedicated "$5,000 - $10,000 per year" scholarships specifically and ONLY for PTK members. If you plan to transfer to a private school, joining PTK is a massive financial ROI.

2. Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS): The California Powerhouse

While PTK is international, Alpha Gamma Sigma is the California Community College Honor Society. Because it is local to California, it is extremely well-recognized by the UC and CSU systems.

SMC's chapter of AGS is one of the most active on campus. Unlike PTK, which is often just a fee you pay to get a notation, AGS at SMC is a Service-Based Organization.

How AGS Membership is Earned:

  • Initial Membership: 3.0 GPA.
  • Permanent Membership: Cumulative 3.5 GPA and 15-30 units. This is the one that stays on your transcript for life.
  • Service Hours: To be considered an "Active Member," you must complete a certain number of service hours and attend bi-weekly meetings.

Med schools and highly competitive UCs (like Berkeley) value AGS membership because it proves you were engaged with your community, not just sitting in a library.

3. PTK vs. AGS: Which Should You Join?

If you have the money and the GPA, join both. They serve different purposes.

Choose PTK if:

  • You want access to private university transfer scholarships.
  • You want an internationally recognized name on your resume.
  • You don't have time for weekly meetings or service hours.

Choose AGS if:

  • You are transferring to a UC or CSU.
  • You want to build a network of high-achieving friends on campus.
  • You want documented service hours for your application.

4. The "Resume Filler" Trap

Let's be honest: just having "Phi Theta Kappa Member" on your resume won't get you into Harvard. Admissions officers know that all it took was a 3.5 GPA and $80.

To make it "Legit," you must seek Leadership Roles within these societies.

"Don't just be a member. Be the Chapter President. Be the VP of Service. Be the Treasurer. Managing an honor society with 500+ students and a $5,000 budget is a world-class leadership story for your transfer essays."

If you are an officer, you can legitimately claim that you coordinated regional conferences, managed membership drives, or oversaw large-scale community service projects. That's what transfers.

5. Other Specialized Societies

Beyond PTK and AGS, SMC has several discipline-specific societies:

  • Psi Beta

    The national honor society for Psychology students at community colleges.

  • Mu Alpha Theta

    The national honor society for Mathematics. Great for STEM/Engineering majors.

  • Sigma Chi Eta

    The honor society for Communication majors.

  • National Society of Leadership (NSLS)

    Often seen as more commercial/fee-based, but offers great leadership training videos.

Final Advice for SMC Students

If your GPA is currently a 3.4 and you haven't reached the 3.5 threshold for PTK, don't worry. Use the Search tool on Guyde to find professors who have A-heavy distributions in your next GE classes.

One semester of "Easy A" classes can easily push your cumulative GPA into PTK territory, unlocking thousands in transfer scholarships.

Find High-GPA ClassesSMC Club List

Looking for more ways to stand out? Read our guide on Starting a Club or Organizing Service Projects.