Alpha Sigma Nu

You can begin your application here.

Your Alpha Sigma Nu Application consists of three parts:

1. Basic Information. Including your name, major etc.
   
    
2. Essay Questions. You will upload your answers to the following questions. Please limit your answers to 250 words or less per question. We recommend uploading a Word (.doc,.docx) or PDF (.pdf) file. The three questions you will answer are...
    
   1. Alpha Sigma Nu is a dynamic honor society whose members embody scholarship, service, and loyalty to the ideals of Jesuit education. They embrace Ignatian values as guides and challenges to be collaborators in the Jesuit mission. What Jesuit educational values do you think you can use as guides in your personal mission and how would that share in the mission of those who are Jesuit educated?
       
   2. Please reflect on how you see these Ignatian values in your experiences in the classroom, service experiences or other extracurricular activities at SJU.
       
   3. Please explain the connection between scholarship, loyalty, and service you experience here at Saint Joseph's University.
      
       
3. Letter of Recommendation. Please arrange a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your qualities of Scholarship, Loyalty to the ideals of Jesuit higher education, and service. When filling out your application, you will enter the email address of your recommender. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to upload your letter of recommendation. All letters of recommendation should be received no later than Wednesday October 14, 2025. You can share with your recommender this short summary of Alpha Sigma Nu.

The Alpha Sigma Nu by-laws state in Section 3.1:

Qualifications for membership shall be based on scholarship, loyalty and service in the institution or community.

• Scholarship means a notably above-average interest and proven intellectual competence.
• Loyalty means a demonstrated commitment to Jesuit ideals of higher education —intellectual, moral, social and religious.
• Service means a proven concern for others demonstrated by activities in support of the institution or the community.

In addition to achieving junior or senior standing, undergraduate students shall have completed no fewer than one and one-half (1-1/2) semesters at a Jesuit institution by the time of their nomination. In addition to achieving junior or senior standing, part-time undergraduate students shall have completed at least one-half (1/2) of their degree program by the time of their nomination.

Students studying on SJU's Lancaster campus are eligible to apply to Alpha Sigma Nu this year, assuming they meet the criteria above! 

Qualifications for Membership

Graduate Students

Every year, the dean of each school will nominate students who they believe best exemplify the characteristics of an Alpha Sigma Nu member. Those graduates who are invited to join will fill out a form of intent and pay their $90 induction fee.

Honorary Members

The Alpha Sigma Nu board will nominate five members of the SJU or local community who they believe best exemplify the characteristics of an Alpha Sigma Nu member. 

The most prestigious Honor Society of Jesuit institutions of higher education.

Juniors and seniors who are in the top 15% of their class and have a demonstrated record of service and loyalty to the Jesuit ideals of education. At Saint Joseph's University, juniors and seniors with GPA's of 3.5 and above are invited to apply.

This is the highest honor at Jesuit institutions, including all disciplines. Only 4% of students are invited to membership.

Lifelong membership, networks and collegiality with a remarkable group of people from all 30 Jesuit institutions in the United States, plus one each in Canada and Korea. The society has an Online member directory with 42,000 plus current names with contact information.

To continue to live the ideals of scholarship, loyalty and service.

No you do not! Alpha Sigma Nu has a Catholic identity, but welcomes students from all faith traditions as well as students who have no faith tradition. 

You can learn more about the mission of Alpha Sigma Nu, as well as the pledge members will take here. 

There is a onetime due of $90 for a lifetime membership. This provides for your certificate and official pin plus all Alpha Sigma Nu mailings for the rest of your life.

No. There is an annual Sustaining Fund, which many members support.

https://www.AlphaSigmaNu.org

Yes, and they are improving regularly. ASN has 50,000 members throughout the world with current addresses for about 85% of them. Alumni may be located in the Alpha Sigma Nu Online Directory.

Yes. This is a recognized and respected credential. Established in 1915, AΣN is a full member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

Yes. Members may contact other members for advice, referrals and positions.

Yes! You do not need to be on campus to submit your application in the fall. If you are unable to attend induction ceremony in the spring, we will mail your certificate and pin.