If you know the first thing about Greek life, you have undoubtedly heard of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Founded in 1908, this sorority is the USA’s oldest Greek-letter organization representing Black women.
Over the years, it has boasted some incredibly prestigious members. This roster of famous Black sisters includes Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Alicia Keys, Coretta Scott King, and none other than Rosa Parks herself.
How to join Alpha Kappa Alpha?
If this legacy inspires you, consider becoming a member of AKA yourself! The sorority recognizes two types of members: undergraduate and graduate members. If you currently attend a university with an AKA chapter, and meet basic requirements (such as at least 12 semester-hours and a minimum GPA of 2.5) you can go through “rush”, and be invited to join your university’s chapter.
Even you have already graduated, you can still join a graduate chapter by going to its events, getting to know your local chapter’s members, and finally receiving a letter of invitation.
What are the three ways to become an Alpha Kappa Alpha member?
There are three ways through which a prospective candidate can become an Alpha Kappa Alpha member: Undergraduate membership, Graduate membership, and legacy candidate.
- Undergraduate Membership
To become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, you must attend the official rush event. The information about the Rush event, such as the date, time and location of the activity, is posted a minimum of two weeks in advance. However, the college/university may impose some additional requirements that can affect the membership process. Therefore, the potential candidates who do not attend Rush are ineligible for candidacy consideration at that time.
The “Undergraduate Membership Interest Application Form” will assist the prospective candidates in preparing for a Rush event.
- Graduate Membership
Becoming an Alpha Kappa Alpha graduate member is only possible through invitation. The invitation is given by local graduate chapters only. The local chapter members host public events that candidates may attend to become Alpha Kappa Alpha’s graduate members. The process starts when the applicant receives an official letter of invitation.
- Legacy Candidate
A legacy candidate is a candidate who is the daughter, adopted daughter, granddaughter, legal ward or stepdaughter of an active member or deceased member. To become a legacy candidate, the prospective member shall submit a legacy application. It is required that a living family member must have been an active member for at least two years (two years are defined as twenty- four consecutive months) immediately preceding the submission of an undergraduate/graduate legacy application. However, undergraduates/ graduates applying as legacy candidates must fulfill other membership requirements.
How much does it cost to join Alpha Kappa Alpha?
Unfortunately, like most things in life, membership in AKA comes with a price tag. The sorority doesn’t publish financial data, but the cost of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha run from $700 to upwards of $1,700.
| Membership Intake Procedure | $1,250 to $1,400 |
| Membership for the Undergraduate | $500 to $800 |
Additional expenses to be an AKA
| Member Badge | $ 15 |
| One Time Initiation Fee | $ 195 |
| Annual Membership Dues | $ 85 to 115 |
| Housing Investment Fund Fee | $ 20 |
| Renewing annual membership | $100 to $200 |
| Reactivating Membership | $300 to $500 |
But should this stop you? If you believe in the nation’s oldest Black sorority or any other sororities like Zeta Phi Beta and what they represents, then it shouldn’t!.
How long is the pledge process for Alpha Kappa Alpha?
The pledging period starts with the beginning of the probation period and ends with the initiation ceremony. The probation period begins one week before initiation except on campuses where Panhellenic of administrative regulations differed. The pledging ceremony is part of the induction into a full member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
It takes place no longer than six weeks before the initiation, except where the university of PanHellenic and college or university regulations dictated other procedures. In these cases, copies at the respective college/university regulations accompanied requests permissions to make these exceptions.
How many credits do you need to pledge, Alpha Kappa Alpha?
Any prospective candidate who takes part in pledging either willingly or knowingly is forbidden from the sorority membership. Undergraduates who wish to become Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members should be registered in at least twelve credit hours during the semester the candidate has applied for membership.
What are Alpha Kappa Alpha pledges called?
The people who pledged with Alpha Kappa Alpha are called line sisters. In addition, the pledges call current members of the chapters big sisters or prophets.
How do you get invited to AKA Grad Chapter?
Alpha Kappa Alpha graduated Membership Intake Process, also known as MIP, is only accessible by invitation and a 2-week long process.
The invitation is extended by one of the local graduate chapters, and may not be solicited. To receive the invitation you must attend the public events hosted by the sorority to get acquainted with them.
The local chapters host public events like social activities, cultural presentations and forums, which you may attend to become acquainted with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members and the community service activities in your area. The chapter locator feature on the site provides the names of the chapter and contacts in your community.
The Membership Intake Process begins with an Official Letter of Invitation signed by the local graduate chapter president. No membership activities will take place before receipt of an official letter of invitation.