To attempt to join MENSA?

[FlyHighLittleBee]

Did the online test on a whim after watching child genius; got 100%. I fancy giving the real thing a go. I guess it will look good on future CVs/ doctorate applications. Or am I misguided? Is it just seen as a waste of time?

[megletthesecond]

I did this when I was a teen after dropping out of school, just to show myself I wasn't completely dense. Had to go to a London uni to take the test. Never put it on a CV though, hadn't occurred to me.

[Stylingwax]

You go for it, but I would die laughing if someone put that they were in Mensa on their CV.

[Marmelised]

My perception, waste of time, self indulgent, needy.
Sorry.
My sister joined years ago and used to get the magazine which was full of people whinging about how their childhoods had been difficult because they were sooooo intelligent. My mum kept suggesting I joined - no chance and my sister only lasted one membership year.

[chickenowner]

I joined when I was a teenager, but left when I realised how tragic I was being.

The only adult I've known who was a member (and told people about it) was a former boss of mine, who was a complete and utter arse.

[FlyHighLittleBee]

You go for it, but I would die laughing if someone put that they were in Mensa on their CV.

This is what I was afraid of. Growing up, I have never even heard it be mentioned, so I'm kind of unaware of perceptions of it.

Think I'll leave it

[LaurieMarlow]

Do what you want, but ridiculous to put it on cvs/doctorate applications.

[DeputyPecksBentBeak]

I read your other thread but had nothing to add for you though.

YANBU to join if you think it's something that will make you happy. It's your life, you only get one, so go and do the things that make you happy. Judgement be damned.

[BoinkAlongQuietly]

chickenowner I had exactly the same experience re your boss.

Do what makes you happy, OP.

sorry you are going through a tough time. Join if it makes you feel good!

[greathat]

My dad's a member he quite likes the magazines. They do story writing etc with it. Don't really know much else

[FlyHighLittleBee]

Thanks guys

No, I'll leave it. I just wasn't sure if it was nobbish, or impressive. Have learnt it's most definitely the former, so I'll just concentrate on my mountains of uni work instead.

[MistressMolecules]

I have asked my husband to pay for the test as my Christmas present and I just don't care!

[FlyHighLittleBee]

Xpost greathat obviously it's not nobbish overall, just using it on CVs etc. Glad your dad enjoys it.

[BrieAndChilli]

I joined when I was 12, the magazines didn't interest me and my mum stopped paying for he subscriptions when I left home.
It's probably worth doing just to see if you can but not really worth anything in the real world!

[EssentialHummus]

As a CV writer - don't do it. It screams "smart-ass".

[RockyBird]

From what I remember it is quite expensive to be a member. That may have changed in more recent years though.

[JosephineMaynard]

Nothing wrong with joining Mensa, but I'd agree about it looking odd on a CV.

Actual, good, relevant qualifications would look much better on a CV.

[MistressMolecules]

But you can do it just for the pleasure, it doesn't have to be about career advancement or whether it would look good on your CV, it can be about doing something that you want to purely for the pleasure of it.

[Foxysoxy01]

I think you should take the test!

It doesn't hurt to join and you might get something from it even if it's just a little self confidence boost. You don't need to tell anyone you are a member if you don't want to or if you do that's fine too.

If I met you and heard you were a member I would be interested and impressed

[HerOtherHalf]

Just my opinion, but I think people who advertise the fact they are Mensa members are twits. IQ tests are a very unreliable measure of overall mental capability and the fact someone thinks they are worth shouting about concerns me far more than someone not having current proof of their IQ. Would you mention on your CV that you'd reached level 1001 on sudoku.com?

[VladmirsPoutine]

Definitely don't put it on your CV. That said, there's no reason why you shouldn't join the community if you want to.
I'm part of a local craft club - I wouldn't ever write "won the craft club prize in 2015" on my CV.

[Bertucci]

I was a member when I was a teen.

But agree with others - it's not something I would necessarily admit to.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

I was a member as a teenager (my parents idea...)

This was 20 years ago, so it may have changed

The magazine had a few interesting articles, but every month there was a letter from someone bemoaning that they hadn't succeeded in life despite having a sky high IQ

They always said they found Mensa invaluable in finally meeting other intelligent people and giving them a sense of achievement and worth

There were many subgroups you could join according to your interests e.g. astronomy, cookery, travel, and those who wanted a hobby could throw themselves into writing newsletters and organising events

For people who don't fall into those groups I couldn't really see the point of the society

I'm not a member now!

[HerOtherHalf]

Getting 100% on the test doesn't mean shit. It's a marketing gimmick to get you to join their overpriced puzzle club, nothing more.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

I regret putting that face actually. It is great if people who haven't achieved their potential due to circumstance can boost their self esteem. Some of them sounded real moaners though hence my face!