GENERAL
INFORMATION Membership 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® seeks women who will promote, uphold, and extend its policies and programs. In return, the Sorority is a conduit through which individuals can grow and develop, personally and professionally while simultaneously providing “Service to All Mankind.”
By uniting the talents of more than 355,000 individuals, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has built a strong, cohesive organization that positively impacts the lives of families and communities. The Sorority’s success is based on the depth of commitment, vision and confidence of its members.
Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is classified as undergraduate or graduate. In both classifications:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® does not discriminate in its membership selection practices on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, creed, marital status or disability. Nor will Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® tolerate such discrimination by its chapters or its members. Federal law recognizes the right of college social fraternities and sororities to maintain single sex membership policies. Consistent with that right, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is a women’s organization and membership is open to women.
- Prospective members must have high ethical and moral standards;
- Membership can only be obtained by completing the Sorority’s official Membership Experience (ME);
All current and prospective members have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. These rights are enforced by imposing sanctions for violations of the Sorority’s policies and procedures. A cornerstone of the Sorority’s Risk Management policy is the prohibition of hazing.
- Membership—Graduate and Undergraduate—can only be obtained by completing the Sorority’s official Membership Experience (ME). Contact with current, suspended, or expelled members and/or activities outside of the official ME process are strictly prohibited. Undergraduate candidates shall not participate in any membership activities without the presence of a Graduate Advisor.
- If members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® ask you to perform tasks or participate in activities other than those outlined in our ME, they are in violation of the Sorority’s policies and practices and do not represent the values of the organization. This behavior will not be tolerated and shall result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®will not be extended to:
- An individual who knowingly participates in activities outside of the official Membership Experience.
- An individual who knowingly participates in activities which are demeaning, degrading or demoralizing.
- An individual who knowingly submits falsified documents or credentials.
UNDERGRADUATE
MEMBERSHIP Requirements
Requirements
- Matriculation as a full-time undergraduate student where the campus chapter is located; or matriculation as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited school affiliated with an undergraduate city chapter in the community.
- Must have creditably completed* at least one grading period (or as defined by the college or university) as a full-time student at the institution affiliated with the chapter, immediately preceding submission of application;
*Creditably completed is synonymous with earned full-time hours (12+ hours) for Spring or Fall session, whichever is applicable. - A cumulative and semester average of C+, immediately preceding submission of application. (In those universities using pass-fail grading scales, required competency or good standing systems of grading, shall be acceptable).
- C+ is equivalent to a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale, if the school does not have a plus or minus on the grading scale.
- Some chapters and/or schools may require a higher semester and/or cumulative average for undergraduate membership eligibility.
- Attendance at the official Rush.
Process
An official Rush begins the undergraduate membership process for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Rush information such as location, date and time of the activity is posted a minimum of two weeks in advance; however, the college or university may impose additional requirements that will impact the process. Any prospective candidate who does not attend Rush is ineligible for candidacy consideration at that time.
The Sorority’s undergraduate Membership Experience (ME) begins when a candidate receives a Letter of Acceptance.
- There are no membership activities between Rush and issuance of an acceptance letter. If you participate in any activities between rush and issuance of an acceptance letter, your application for membership will be denied.
- ME activities prior to and after Rush are prohibited; however, the school can require prospective applicants fulfill or meet certain conditions prior to seeking membership.
- Pledging, before, during, or after initiation, is not a part of the membership process, and anyone who knowingly and willingly participates in pledging activities will be denied membership into the Sorority. Additionally, suspension and/or expulsion may result if it is discovered that an individual participated in pledging activities after initiation as a member.
The Undergraduate Membership Interest Application will assist with preparing for a Rush. Prospective applicants need to address any inquiries about the Membership Experience with the Graduate Advisor for that chapter.
All prospective members should review the General Information for the Collegian.
Please also note all prospective members must submit at least one (1) ECCI form but should not exceed 3 submissions – Evidence of Community and Campus Involvement (ECCI)
GRADUATE
MEMBERSHIP Intake
Requirements
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree, with at least a C+ cumulative average, or a graduate or professional degree (Ph.D., M.D., J.D., etc.) from an accredited college or university.
- C+ is equivalent to a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale if the school does not have a plus or minus on the grading scale.
- Motivation and talents to help promote, implement and extend policies and programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
- Attendance at an Information Session with the required documents listed in the Letter of Invitation.
Process
Graduate membership is by invitation only and is not solicited through our graduate chapters. Graduate chapters host public events, such as forums, cultural presentations and social activities, so that prospective candidates can become acquainted with chapter members and learn about service activities they offer to local communities. Do not actively seek membership into the Sorority.
Utilize the Chapter Locator to locate graduate chapters and contacts in or near your community.
The Graduate Membership Experience (ME) begins with a Letter of Invitation signed by the graduate chapter president AND membership chairman on chapter stationery. There are no membership activities prior to receipt of an official invitation letter, and the Sorority prohibits partaking in ME activities prior to receiving an official letter. If you participate in any activities prior to the issuance of an acceptance letter, your application for membership will be denied.
- Pledging, before, during, or after initiation, is not a part of the membership process, and anyone who knowingly and willingly participates in pledging activities will be denied membership into the Sorority. Additionally, suspension and/or expulsion may result if it is discovered that an individual participated in pledging activities after initiation as a member.
LEGACY
REQUIREMENTS Application
Legacy Candidate Status
A legacy candidate is the daughter, granddaughter, adopted daughter, stepdaughter or legal ward* of an active or deceased member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and submits a legacy application. Legacy candidates are not guaranteed membership.
- *Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority defines a legal ward as one in which an appropriate court of law legally places permanent care, control, and custody with a member of the Sorority. Court documentation will be requested.
Legacy Provision
The living family member must have been active for at least two years immediately preceding the submission of an Undergraduate or Graduate Legacy Application. Two years is defined as twenty-four (24) consecutive months. Undergraduates and graduates who apply via legacy provision still must fulfill all other membership requirements.
- Family member(s) can verify eligibility prior to the candidate submitting a legacy application.
FAQ Informations
Q
If a member of the Sorority asks me to attend meetings or study sessions, wear specific apparel or perform certain tasks, am I allowed to participate in those activities?
A
No. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® prohibits such activities, and membership will not be extended to individuals who knowingly participate.
Q
Is it possible for me to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority if I attend an accredited four-year college or university that does not have a chapter?
A
Yes. A nearby graduate chapter in your college community willing to sponsor you can recommend you to the Regional Director for General Membership in the Sorority. Use the Chapter Locator to identify nearby graduate chapters and contacts.
Q
What is the process for chartering an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapter on my campus?
A
Contact the Regional Director for information concerning the possibility of chartering a chapter on your campus. Utilize the Regions section through About AKA to determine the region where a campus is located and click the region’s name for the Regional Director’s contact information.
Q
Can I participate in the membership process at another school if my campus has an inactive chapter?
A
No. You cannot participate in a Membership Experience at another school because your campus has an inactive chapter. Candidates must successfully complete at least one grading period, immediately preceding the Membership Experience, at a school affiliated with the chapter.
Q
Can I become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority if I attend a 2-year community college?
A
No. Candidates must attend an accredited four-year college or university that confers baccalaureate degrees.
Q
If I have already been awarded a baccalaureate degree, can I still apply for undergraduate membership if I am enrolled in an accredited 4-year college for my second baccalaureate degree and considered an undergraduate by the college or university?
A
No. In this scenario, since you already have received a baccalaureate degree, you are only eligible for graduate membership, which is by invitation only.
Q
I received an invitation to membership from a local graduate chapter. Am I eligible for graduate membership if I have not graduated?
A
No. You are ineligible for graduate membership until you are awarded a baccalaureate degree.
Q
Can I seek membership if I am or was a member with another Sorority?
A
If that Sorority belongs to the National Pan-Hellenic Council or National Panhellenic Conference, you are ineligible for membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Individuals who falsify applications will have their membership revoked and will be expelled from the Sorority.
Q
I applied as a legacy candidate but my family member is ineligible. Can I switch to a non-legacy candidate?
A
No. A candidate’s classification cannot change from legacy to non-legacy once a chapter accepts the legacy application and forwards it to the Corporate Office for review. The family member can contact AKA Corporate Office to verify eligibility for legacy provision prior to submitting a legacy application.
Q
What other steps are necessary if I have not received an invitation to membership although I attended all of the graduate chapter’s public events?
A
Attendance at activities does not guarantee an invitation to membership. Members of the chapter will recommend for membership women who are aligned with the Sorority’s mission, service to all mankind. Please continue to network and provide service to your local community and beyond. We appreciate your interest in the sorority.
