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Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha
from Wikipedia

Pi Sigma Alpha headquarters located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Key Information

Pi Sigma Alpha Medallion used for graduation/recognition.

Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ or PSA), the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of political and social sciences in the United States. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of political science. It is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

Chapters

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The first chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas at Austin, and the society has grown over the years to nearly 850 campuses (as of 2020). A local chapter may be established at any college or university granting the baccalaureate or higher degrees, which is accredited by a regional or national accrediting association, and which offers a major sequence of courses in political science through an appropriate administrative department, school, or division of the institution, and which conforms to other requirements established by the Executive Council of the society. Chapters are guided by faculty advisors and by student officers.

Membership

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There are three classes of membership in Pi Sigma Alpha: student, faculty, and honorary. Student membership is open to juniors, seniors and graduate students currently enrolled in institutions where the chapters are located, who meet the following qualifications:

  • For undergraduates, completion of ten semester-credits or fifteen quarter-credits in political science, including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher in all political science courses, and an overall GPA placing the student in the top one-third of his or her class. Individual chapters may raise the eligibility threshold; they may not lower it.
  • For graduate students, completion of nine graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B in those courses.

Faculty in political science departments where chapters are located are automatically eligible for membership in the honor society. Honorary membership is intended for persons of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science. No more than two such honorary members may be elected by a local chapter in any one year.[1] Election to membership may be based solely on stated criteria and is irrespective of membership in an affiliation with any other organization or group. Chapters may not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Membership, once conferred, is for life.

The lifetime national membership fee is $35.00. Individual chapters sometimes collect additional money from each initiate to use for their own chapter programs. The initiation fee is the only payment members ever make to the national office of the honor society. There are no annual dues.[2]

Governance

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Pi Sigma Alpha is governed by an elected Executive Council, which acts as its board of directors. The Council includes the President, the President-elect, the Treasurer, the two most recent past presidents, the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics faculty advisor, the Executive Director, and twelve other members at large. Six of these are elected every two years to serve four-year terms. Members of the Council are almost always faculty of recognized distinction in the field of political science, or of proven leadership to the honor society. Elections take place in even numbered years at the Biennial Business Meeting of the honor society.[3]

Programs

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Pi Sigma Alpha has programs to benefit its student members and their chapters, and the profession of political science. Programs for chapters and members include an annual Chapter Activity Grants competition, Best Undergraduate Class Paper and Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis awards, Scholarships for Graduate Study in Political Science, Scholarships for Washington Internships, Best Chapter awards, and Chapter Advisor Recognition awards. The organization hosts a National Undergraduate Research Conference[4] each year in Washington, DC. For the profession of political science, Pi Sigma Alpha sponsors major speakers at the annual meetings of the American Political Science Association (APSA), as well as student research awards and travel grants for the APSA Annual Meeting and the regional political science association annual meetings.[5]

Publications

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Pi Sigma Alpha publishes the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics twice per year. It is hosted by the Sigma Upsilon chapter at Elon University.[6]

References

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from Grokipedia

Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ) is the sole dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in , , , and related fields among and students in the United States.
Founded at the in 1920, with its Alpha chapter formally chartered that October following initial conceptualization in late 1919, the society has expanded to nearly 850 chapters on campuses nationwide and has inducted over 300,000 members.
Membership eligibility requires undergraduates to complete at least ten semester credits in or allied subjects with a B average or better while ranking in the top third of their class, alongside similar scholarly standards for graduate students; faculty in relevant departments are automatically eligible.
Pi Sigma Alpha promotes scholarship through benefits including access to graduate study scholarships, Washington internships, a national undergraduate research conference, and chapter grants for extracurricular activities, thereby encouraging sustained engagement with political inquiry.

History

Founding at the University of Texas

Pi Sigma Alpha originated from discussions during a December 1919 monthly faculty meeting of the Department of Government at the , where professors sought to create an organization dedicated to advancing the study of government. Professor C. Perry Patterson, a key faculty member, was tasked with establishing the society and developed its foundational structure over the ensuing year. The Alpha Chapter, representing the society's inaugural installation, was formally chartered in October 1920, solidifying Pi Sigma Alpha's establishment as a for . Patterson assumed the role of founding national president, serving from 1920 until 1932, while also acting as the chapter advisor at the University of until 1933. The society's core objectives, as articulated in its early formulation, emphasized encouraging the scientific and practical study of government, promoting political reforms, and educating the electorate on governmental functions. Initial membership comprised both undergraduate and graduate students from the University of , selected for their demonstrated excellence in coursework and interest in public affairs. Among the first inductees were individuals who later achieved prominence, including a future U.S. , U.S. , and U.S. Ambassador, underscoring the chapter's early emphasis on recognizing high-achieving scholars. This founding effort at the University of laid the groundwork for Pi Sigma Alpha's expansion, prioritizing academic merit and engagement with political institutions over broader social or ideological affiliations.

Early Expansion and National Recognition

Following its chartering in October 1920 at the , Pi Sigma Alpha experienced gradual expansion in the early 1920s, establishing its Beta chapter at the and Gamma chapter at the in 1922. In 1923, additional chapters formed at the and the , while the society amalgamated with the smaller Alpha Pi Zeta honor group, broadening its national footprint and member base. By the late 1920s, chapters had been added at institutions including (1925), and the (1926), the (1927), the (1928), and (1929), reaching a total of 14 chapters. This period of growth was driven primarily by founding president C. Perry Patterson, who served until 1932 and actively promoted chapter development across diverse regions, emphasizing the society's role in fostering scholarship among students and faculty. Expansion continued steadily into the 1930s, with new chapters reflecting increasing institutional interest in recognizing excellence. By the decade's end, Pi Sigma Alpha had established 31 chapters nationwide and inducted 2,401 members, solidifying its presence beyond and the Southwest. The society's multi-regional chapter network and amalgamation efforts marked its transition to a recognized national honor organization dedicated exclusively to , distinguishing it from general or discipline-agnostic societies of the era. This early national scope laid the foundation for formal acknowledgments, including its later status as the preeminent , though full institutional affiliations such as with the Association of College Honor Societies occurred postwar in 1948.

Post-War Growth and Modern Developments

Following , Pi Sigma Alpha experienced accelerated expansion, driven by the broader growth in American higher education and increased enrollment in programs. The first new chapter established after the war was at , with 15 chapters added overall by the end of 1949. In 1948, the society joined of College Honor Societies, enhancing its national recognition and prestige. The 1950s marked a surge with 49 new chapters and 3,727 inductees, followed by further growth in subsequent decades amid rising interest in civic education and political engagement. By the , 38 chapters were added alongside 10,334 new members; the saw 108 chapters and 30,832 inductees; the added 152 chapters with 41,315 members; the contributed 128 chapters and approximately 56,000 inductees; the 2000s established 176 chapters and inducted 79,163 members; and the added 135 chapters with 70,774 inductees. Organizational changes supported this trajectory, including the creation of an position in , a shift from "fraternity" to "society" nomenclature to reflect its focus, and the relaunch of student essay competitions in 1953. In the modern era, Pi Sigma Alpha has sustained its expansion, reaching approximately 850 chapters by 2022 across U.S. colleges and universities, with over 315,000 total inductees by 2018 and around 8,000 new members annually in recent years. Developments have emphasized scalability and student involvement, such as the introduction of chapter activity grants in 1981, scholarships in 1995, and the inaugural National Student Research Conference in 2014, which grew to host about 200 participants by 2019. Regional conferences began in 2017, further decentralizing opportunities while maintaining national standards for academic excellence in .

Purpose and Mission

Core Objectives

Pi Sigma Alpha's primary objective is to recognize academic excellence in and related disciplines among undergraduate and graduate students, conferring membership as a mark of superior scholastic achievement typically requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 in political science courses and overall academic standing. This recognition extends to honoring outstanding performance through awards, such as best undergraduate paper and thesis competitions, which incentivize rigorous research and intellectual contribution in the field. A central goal is to stimulate scholarship and interest in , , and by facilitating access to resources like the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics, which publishes student work to promote innovative inquiry across subfields. The society provides leadership opportunities, including chapter governance roles and national council participation, to develop practical skills in organizational management and public affairs. The mission also emphasizes supporting through curricular and extracurricular activities that foster informed dialogue on issues, aligning with the founding intent established in to encourage scientific study of problems, advocate practical reforms, and educate citizens on matters. Contemporary objectives include promoting in , though empirical evidence on the causal impact of such efforts on scholarly output remains limited and debated in academic literature. These aims are pursued via funding for internships, conferences, and grants totaling over $100,000 annually, enabling members to engage directly with political processes in , and beyond.

Relation to Political Science Discipline

Pi Sigma Alpha functions as the sole national honor society dedicated exclusively to undergraduate and graduate students excelling in political science and related fields such as government, international relations, public administration, public policy, and public affairs. Membership eligibility emphasizes superior performance in discipline-specific coursework, typically requiring completion of a set number of political science courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in those classes and an overall institutional GPA of at least 3.0, thereby directly rewarding academic rigor within the political science curriculum. This selective recognition mechanism aligns with the discipline's emphasis on analytical skills, empirical inquiry, and understanding of political institutions and processes, distinguishing it from broader honor societies that span multiple fields. Within education, Pi Sigma Alpha chapters embedded in university departments facilitate extracurricular engagement that complements formal coursework, including discussions of current political events, guest lectures from faculty and practitioners, and collaborative research projects tailored to subfields like American politics, comparative , and . These activities cultivate a scholarly that extends classroom learning into practical applications, such as and civic participation, thereby reinforcing the discipline's dual focus on theoretical foundations and real-world governance challenges. By requiring active involvement in chapter initiatives for full member benefits, the society encourages students to apply methodologies—ranging from qualitative case studies to quantitative —in group settings, enhancing skills essential for advanced study or professional roles in and academia. The society's national programs further integrate it into the broader ecosystem, including sponsorship of student paper presentations and speakers at (APSA) annual meetings, which expose members to cutting-edge research and professional networks within the field. It also supports undergraduate research through initiatives like the national student research conference, where participants present empirical studies on topics such as electoral systems, outcomes, and institutional design, thereby bridging with graduate-level and disciplinary journals. This alignment promotes the discipline's core objectives of fostering evidence-based inquiry into power dynamics, institutional behavior, and public decision-making, while providing tangible incentives like for graduate programs that sustain talent pipelines into academia and arenas.

Organizational Structure

Governance and Leadership

Pi Sigma Alpha is governed by an Executive Council that functions as the organization's , overseeing its affairs and adopting resolutions to advance its purposes. The Council comprises the President, President-Elect, , two most recent past presidents, the faculty advisor to the Undergraduate Journal of Politics, the , and twelve elected members, six of whom are elected biennially by chapter advisors or their delegates for four-year terms during formal business meetings held in even-numbered years. The President and President-Elect serve two-year terms, after which the President transitions to a four-year role as past president; the serves a four-year term; and the serves at the Council's discretion. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the President, proposes candidates at least 30 days prior to annual meetings to facilitate these elections. An Executive Committee, consisting of the President, President-Elect, , the most recent past president, the , and three members selected by the , handles operational between full meetings, which occur at least twice annually in spring and fall. Annual business meetings, often aligned with the American Association's annual meeting or conducted virtually, include receptions and formal sessions for voting and deliberation. The manages day-to-day operations, with Tanya Schwarz holding the position since 2021; she previously directed teaching and learning initiatives at the and holds a PhD in from the . Recent Council elections for the 2024-2028 term added members including Dr. Amy Below (), Dr. Mary Manjikian (), Dr. Paul Musgrave (), and others, primarily political science faculty serving as chapter advisors.

Membership Criteria and Categories

Pi Sigma Alpha maintains three categories of membership: student, faculty, and honorary. Student membership is divided between undergraduates and graduate students enrolled at institutions hosting a chapter. Undergraduates must have completed at least half the credits required for a baccalaureate degree, along with 10 semester hours or 15 quarter hours in —including at least one upper-level course—while achieving a B average or higher in those courses and ranking in the upper third of their class based on overall scholarship. Graduate students qualify by completing at least 9 graduate credits in with no grade below a B. Individual chapters may impose additional academic requirements, such as elevated GPA thresholds, but cannot lower national standards or introduce non-academic criteria like service obligations or subjective evaluations. Faculty membership extends to any instructor in the department, school, or division hosting a chapter, with initiation requiring no formal ; members hold the same privileges and duties as students, and chapter advisors receive complimentary national membership. Honorary membership honors individuals of demonstrated excellence in and is conferred either by a chapter—limited to two per year via a two-thirds vote of voting members present—or by the national organization itself; those eligible for but failing to meet student criteria are ineligible for this category.

Chapters and Geographic Distribution

Pi Sigma Alpha maintains chapters at colleges and universities throughout the , with at least one chapter in every state, the District of Columbia, and select territories. As of the latest official listing, the organization supports 607 active chapters domestically and internationally. This widespread presence ensures accessibility for students nationwide, reflecting the society's mission to recognize academic excellence across diverse institutions. Geographic distribution correlates strongly with state population and the density of higher education institutions offering political science majors. Pennsylvania leads with 54 chapters, followed by California and New York with 47 each; Texas has 39, while Illinois and Ohio each host 33. Less populous states typically have fewer chapters, such as Wyoming, Guam, and Puerto Rico with one each, and Alaska, Delaware, and Nevada with two each. Territories like Guam (1 chapter) and Puerto Rico (1 chapter) extend the society's reach beyond the contiguous states. Internationally, Pi Sigma Alpha has a limited footprint, with one chapter in at Universidad de las Américas. Some sources reference an additional chapter in , though it is not enumerated in the primary official directory. The concentration in high-enrollment states underscores the society's alignment with major centers of education, while universal state coverage promotes equitable opportunities for membership.

Programs and Activities

National Conferences and Research Opportunities

Pi Sigma Alpha organizes the annual National Student Research Conference, which serves as the organization's primary national event for undergraduate and master's-level members to present original research. Held typically in February in , at host universities such as or , the conference features 100 to 175 paper presentations across multiple panels, along with poster sessions in select years. It accommodates both in-person and virtual participation, attracting 300 to 350 attendees including students, faculty discussants, and professionals. The conference provides structured feedback opportunities, with each panel moderated by faculty experts who offer critiques and suggestions to refine student work. Professional development components include career workshops, graduate and fairs, networking receptions, and keynote addresses on topics such as race and . Registration is free for eligible Pi Sigma Alpha members, who submit abstracts by late fall deadlines, with acceptance based on research quality and relevance to subfields. The event, now in its thirteenth iteration for 2026, originated around 2014 as a platform to foster scholarly engagement beyond chapter activities. Beyond the conference, Pi Sigma Alpha supports research dissemination through national-level awards, including best paper recognitions at the American Political Science Association's annual meeting and regional political science association gatherings. These awards incentivize high-quality undergraduate submissions, providing monetary prizes and visibility to emerging scholars. Such initiatives emphasize empirical rigor and original analysis, aligning with the society's mission to recognize excellence in political inquiry.

Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Pi Sigma Alpha offers the Penniman Scholarships for Study, providing up to five $2,000 awards annually to inducted members entering graduate programs in , excluding or second-year students. Nominations by chapter advisors require applicant statements on society involvement and career goals, two faculty recommendations, a nomination letter, and official transcripts, with applications due May 1 and notifications in mid-July. Funds are disbursed upon verification of enrollment. The Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarships similarly award five $2,000 stipends each year to members in political science internships in Washington, D.C., with at least one reserved for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars participants. Academic excellence is recognized through best undergraduate and graduate paper and thesis awards, offered to members submitting outstanding work for national evaluation. Pi Sigma Alpha also supports sponsored awards via partnerships, including funding the $750 Franklin L. Burdette/Pi Sigma Alpha Award for the best paper at the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting. Chapters receive funding through Activity Grants, capped at $2,000 per from a $ for 2025-26, to host on-campus events such as guest speakers, excluding expenses. Proposals detailing and scopes are due October 31, reviewed by a faculty committee in November, with grantees required to report expenditures by June 15. Additional speaker grants of up to $1,000 supplement notable off-campus presenters.

Chapter-Level Initiatives

Pi Sigma Alpha chapters organize diverse on-campus initiatives to advance scholarship, encourage student engagement, and build networks among members, faculty, and external experts. Common activities include guest speaker events, panel discussions on contemporary political issues, debates, film screenings, and collaborative roundtables with other groups. These efforts often extend to social gatherings, such as networking receptions or informal meetups, aimed at fostering and community. Chapters also host annual induction ceremonies to recognize new members, which may incorporate academic programming like presentations. The national organization bolsters these initiatives via Chapter Activity Grants, initiated in 1981 to fund non-routine events excluding (discontinued for funding in 2023). Grants prioritize innovative proposals, with a maximum of $2,000 per chapter and an annual budget of $85,000 for 2025-26; applications are due October 31, with decisions by November. Eligible expenses cover publicity, refreshments, and speaker honoraria, supplemented in one case annually by the $1,000 Nancy McManus Speaker Grant. Grantees must submit expenditure reports by June 15 following the funded year. A dedicated Chapter Activity Grants program, launched to enhance democratic participation, supports events like voter registration drives and educational workshops on civic holidays. Funding mirrors general grants at up to $2,000, but targets activities increasing student voting and community involvement; proposals are accepted in two cycles, closing September 15 and October 31, 2025. This distinguishes it from broader activity grants by emphasizing measurable civic outcomes. Chapters document their initiatives in required annual reports, which inform Best Chapter Awards—up to six per enrollment category, each granting $500 for future programming and $200 to advisors. These awards recognize sustained activity levels, incentivizing consistent engagement beyond one-off events.

Publications

Undergraduate Journal of Politics

The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics (ISSN 1556-2034) is a peer-reviewed academic publication dedicated to showcasing original research by undergraduate students in and related fields. Founded in spring 2001 by the Delta Omega Chapter at , the journal emerged as a platform to elevate undergraduate scholarship amid limited outlets for such work at the time. It accepts submissions from undergraduates regardless of major or year, with particular encouragement for members of Pi Sigma Alpha, and covers diverse subfields including American politics, , , and political theory. Operated as a student-led initiative with faculty oversight, the journal employs a rigorous double-blind process involving both undergraduate peers and faculty experts to ensure scholarly quality. Articles typically range from empirical analyses to theoretical essays, selected for originality, methodological soundness, and contribution to political discourse. Published biannually in spring and fall editions since its inception, it has issued volumes continuously through at least spring 2025, available online via the Pi Sigma Alpha website. This structure provides participants with hands-on experience in , from submission guidelines requiring anonymized manuscripts and adherence to style manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style to editorial decisions emphasizing constructive feedback. The journal's operations rotate among host institutions affiliated with Pi Sigma Alpha chapters, typically on three-year terms, to distribute administrative responsibilities and foster chapter involvement. Purdue hosted the inaugural period, followed by subsequent hosts including and, since fall 2020, Elon University's Department of and Policy Studies. As of October 2025, Pi Sigma Alpha seeks a new host commencing July 1, 2026, reflecting the society's model of decentralized yet nationally coordinated undergraduate engagement. This rotational hosting has sustained the journal's growth into a recognized venue for emerging talent, with over two decades of issues archiving student contributions without institutional bias toward specific ideologies.

Newsletters and Handbooks

Pi Sigma Alpha publishes the Newsletter of Pi Sigma Alpha twice annually, in fall and spring editions, distributed by the national office in Washington, D.C. The publication facilitates communication across chapters by including national announcements, chapter-specific updates, scholarship opportunities, and event highlights, with submissions encouraged from members via email to the national office. Archival issues, spanning from 1949 to at least 2007, are available as PDFs on the organization's website, documenting historical developments such as chapter installations and leadership transitions. In addition to the newsletter, Pi Sigma Alpha issues specialized handbooks to support chapter operations and governance. The Chapter Advisor Handbook, updated as of August 2023, outlines the advisor's role as the primary liaison between local chapters and the national organization, providing detailed guidance on membership induction, reactivation processes, and compliance with society bylaws. Complementing this, the Student Officer Handbook & Social Media Guide—with editions for 2023–2024 and 2025–2026—advises chapter officers on maintaining bylaws, organizing events, and leveraging platforms like Twitter with the society's logo for visibility, emphasizing student-led initiatives to recognize high-achieving political science students. These resources, referenced in broader descriptions of Pi Sigma Alpha's outputs, aim to standardize practices across its network of over 900 chapters while promoting engagement in political science scholarship.

Impact and Reception

Achievements and Contributions to Scholarship

Pi Sigma Alpha has significantly advanced scholarship by recognizing and supporting outstanding undergraduate and graduate students through targeted awards and funding mechanisms. Since its founding in , the society has inducted over 315,000 members across nearly 850 chapters, fostering a network that promotes rigorous academic inquiry into and . This recognition extends to notable figures, including U.S. President , three justices, and numerous members of , whose subsequent contributions to and governance reflect the society's emphasis on scholarly excellence. The society's funding programs have disbursed over $1 million in chapter activity grants, enabling initiatives, lectures, and professional development events that enhance empirical and theoretical work in . Annual awards such as the Howard Penniman Graduate Scholarships—over 100 granted since 1995 at up to $2,000 each—support members pursuing advanced degrees, thereby sustaining a pipeline of scholars contributing to peer-reviewed and academic publications. Similarly, the Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarships, totaling 70 awards since 2004, provide practical experience in policy environments, bridging theoretical scholarship with real-world application and influencing evidence-based policymaking. Through its National Student Research Conference, initiated in 2014, Pi Sigma Alpha has facilitated presentations by hundreds of undergraduates, culminating in over 450 participants between 2014 and 2019, which cultivates original research and skills essential for advancing causal understandings of political phenomena. Best paper and thesis awards, alongside best chapter grants (12 awarded in 2021-22), incentivize high-quality empirical studies and chapter-level innovations in scholarship dissemination. These efforts have notably supported diversity in the field, with chapters at since 1956, broadening the empirical perspectives incorporated into discourse. Overall, Pi Sigma Alpha's initiatives have professionalized student research, yielding long-term impacts on academic careers and the intellectual rigor of the discipline.

Criticisms and Limitations

While Pi Sigma Alpha is recognized as a legitimate , some prospective members question its value relative to the one-time national membership fee of $35, plus any chapter-specific dues, arguing that benefits such as resume notation and graduation recognition do not substantially enhance career prospects or networking opportunities for most participants. Active involvement in chapter activities may yield greater returns, such as leadership experience or access to scholarships, but passive membership often provides minimal practical advantages beyond symbolic prestige. Critics of discipline-specific honor societies like Pi Sigma Alpha highlight their inherently selective criteria—typically requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses and junior standing—which can foster perceptions of by privileging high achievers in an academic field already characterized by ideological skews toward liberal perspectives, potentially limiting broader ideological diversity among inductees. This exclusivity may disadvantage students from underrepresented backgrounds who lack equivalent access to rigorous coursework or advising, though empirical evidence on disparate impacts remains anecdotal. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Pi Sigma Alpha faces statutory restrictions on lobbying or partisan activities, constraining its ability to directly influence policy or engage in applied political advocacy, which limits its scope compared to more activist-oriented student organizations. Broader research on honor societies indicates mixed career outcomes; while leadership roles correlate with higher graduate school acceptance rates, general membership shows negligible effects on job placement or salary trajectories in competitive fields like political science.

References

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