Phi Sigma Iota Rating, Reviews and Requirements. Is it worth it?

What are the requirements to be in Phi Sigma Iota?

a. Undergraduate students shall be enrolled in the institution represented by the chapter, have completed at least one course in a foreign language at the third-year level or its equivalent (fifth semester or seventh quarter), have completed 45 semester hours or its equivalent, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and rank in the top 35% of their class. If the institution does not calculate class rank, advisors must either make the calculations, or use a minimum GPA of 3.3 on an 4.0 scale as eligibility criteria.

b. Graduate students shall be enrolled in a graduate program in one of the aforementioned programs, have attained a high degree of competence in at least one foreign language, have completed 12 semester hours of graduate work or equivalent, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

What is the history of the Phi Sigma Iota?

• Phi Sigma Iota was founded in 1922 at Allegheny College in Meadville Pennsylvania by Dr. Henry W. Church, members of his department of languages, and advanced students who were meeting to discuss linguistic and literary matters. 
• PSI became a national society when Beta Chapter was established at The Pennsylvania State University in April 1925. 
• At a National Convention held at Bloomington, Illinois in November 1935, Phi Sigma Iota merged with Alpha Zeta Pi, a similar society west of the Mississippi organized by Dr. Etienne Renaud and his associates in the Department of Languages at the University of Denver in 1917.
• In 1982, the Society became the International Foreign Language Honor Society by installing its first Chapter in a foreign country at Universidad Regiomontana, Monterrey, Mexico.
• Today the Society maintains approximately 180 local chapters in the US and at American University in Paris, France.

What are the key benefits of being a member of Phi Sigma Iota? 

Phi Sigma Iota has initiated over 50,000 members since its founding in 1917, and provides

• a national network of colleagues;
• participation in a learning community to broaden horizons;
• local and national leadership opportunities;
• publication opportunities in the Society’s issues of The Forum;
• a Phi Sigma Iota “Gold Pin;”
• apply for the scholarship programs offered by the Society;

Based on the information, here is our review:

Our first observation is: that Phi Sigma Iota is one of the most recognized linguistic societies, which sets it apart from other honor societies.

Our second observation was: that Phi Sigma Iota just passed their 100 year founding anniversary, making it a long standing and respectable society. 

Our third observation was: that in terms of financial benefits, the students don’t have many options other than applying for scholarships.