How to Become a Member of Delta Sigma Theta

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Approved

You're probably familiar with the community efforts of your local Delta Sigma Theta (DST) chapter. This historically black (but all-inclusive) sorority was founded at Howard University in 1913. You can become a DST sister if you're still in college/university or if you have already graduated with a baccalaureate degree. To become a member, you'll need to be in good academic standing, attend an informational meeting, and fill out the application. Once the chapter receives all your application materials, they'll vote on whether or not to accept you. You'll need to get a majority of votes in order to become a member of DST.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Fulfilling Basic Application Requirements

1
Earn credits at an approved college or university. You're eligible to become a collegiate member of DST if you're currently studying for your first baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree at a school that's recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You should already have 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours.
- Most universities or colleges are already approved. If you're unsure if you're school is, contact your school's academic department.
2
Complete a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree. You're eligible to become an alumnae member if you're a woman who's completed a baccalaureate degree from a college or university. The school you attended must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- You must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4 point scale (or 1.75 on a 3 point scale).
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3
Improve your grade point average. DST will check to see that you're in good standing at your university or college. Your minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.75 on a 4 point scale (or 1.75 on a 3 point scale), although you should try to have a higher GPA to make your application more competitive.
- Check with your school's DST chapter about their required GPA. Some chapters require a higher GPA.
4
Fill out the application. Fill out all portions for the collegiate applicant. The application will ask for personal and educational details (like your address, school you're attending, contact information, and employment information). Be aware that you'll need to type rather than write in your responses.
- You'll need to describe your involvement in school, church and community organizations. You'll also need to explain why you want to join DST.
5
Provide proof of residency. Along with your application, you'll need to attach proof of residence. You could send a copy of your driver's license, a voter registration card, a state or college/university identification card, or a recent utility bill that shows your address. If you're applying for alumnae membership, you must live in the community or area that's served by the chapter you're applying to.
- To locate your local chapter, search for chapters within your region and state. Be aware that some chapters are specifically for alumnae.
6
Pay application fees. Your local chapter will give you information about how much the application costs to process. Once you're a member, you'll be expected to pay around $400 or $500 in national initiation fees and around $250 in chapter initiation fees. Be prepared to pay for the following (which also vary in cost by chapter):
- National yearly fees
- Capital fund fee
- Chapter dues

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Excelling At Delta Sigma Theta's Standards

1
Attend Rush Activity. The local chapter you're interested in joining will host a meeting called Rush Activity. You must attend this meeting in order to join DST. The meeting will give information about the sorority, its goals, and membership requirements.
- You'll be given an application at Rush Activity that you can take home and fill out.
- You will not be able to join DST unless you attend Rush.
2
Impress the existing sisters. Since members of Delta Sigma Theta will be voting on whether or not to accept you as a member, it may help to get to know or impress several existing sisters. You may attend some of their events on campus, volunteer with groups that DST frequently helps, or just ask to talk to existing sisters about their experiences with DST.
- If you feel like you've really gotten to know a DST sister or two, they may be able to write you a letter of recommendation to go with your application.
3
Avoid membership in another Pan-Hellenic society. Delta Sigma Theta only accepts women who are not currently members of any other society that's associated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. or the Panhellenic Conference, Inc.
- If you've been expelled from a Pan-Hellenic society, you're also not eligible for membership in Delta Sigma Theta.
4
Avoid participating in hazing. Delta Sigma Theta has a strict no-hazing policy for any part of the application process. You will not be allowed to join DST if you participate in any hazing activity during Rush or while your application is being considered. For example, if you're being hazed by members of the sorority and allow yourself to be hazed, you won't be admitted for membership.
- If you become a member and haze potential members, you'll be expelled from the sorority.
- You're also responsible for reporting any hazing activities you witness.
5
Consider re-applying for membership. If your application was denied the first time you submitted it, you can always apply again the following year. While the application process will be the same, you'll need to improve your application so you can increase your chance of being accepted. To do so, try to:
- Improve your grade point average
- Get letters of recommendation from women currently in DST
- Write better application responses (longer, more detailed and honest)

Community Q&A

Question

Do I need to get a transcript if I graduated from college years ago?

Community Answer

You will need to provide proof of your college degree from an accredited university, so you will likely need transcripts to do so.
Question

If someone graduated from a private college, are they eligible to pledge with a 3.8 GPA?

Community Answer

It does not matter if you attended a public or private institution; however, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree to qualify.
Question

Can I join as a walk-in if I graduated from college years ago? If so, how would I pursue it?

Community Answer

If you graduated from an accredited college or university, you may be eligible to apply for membership in an Alumnae chapter. You should submit a letter of interest to the Alumnae chapter that is closest to the area in which you reside. Once they have received your letter of interest they will contact you the next time the chapter is having membership intake and advise you on how to proceed.