Without a doubt, American Mensa serves a different function for each of its more than 50,000 members. Some enjoy Mensa's mental stimulation and others its social interaction.
Questions asked frequently about American Mensa include:
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What qualifies me to be a Mensa member?
What type of people are members of American Mensa?
What is the purpose of Mensa?
How do I have social interaction with other members?
How do I receive intellectual stimulation as a member?
How do Mensans help others?
Are there groups in American Mensa that share my special interests?
Are there other special benefits to being a Mensa member?
What is the cost of membership?
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What qualifies me to be a Mensa member?
To qualify for Mensa, you must have scored in the top 2 percent of the general population on an accepted, standardized intelligence test. Five million Americans are eligible for membership.
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What type of people are members of American Mensa?
Mensans come from all walks of life. They range from 4 to 102 years old. They represent both sexes, all races, various professions and many beliefs. However, they share one trait: high intelligence.
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What is the purpose of Mensa?
There are three main purposes of Mensa:
1. Identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
2. Encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence.
3. Provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members.
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How do I have social interaction with other members?
Activities are scheduled almost daily on the Mensa calendar. Locally, these range from meetings to guest speakers to parties. Members also attend regional and national gatherings that provide opportunities to meet other Mensans.
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More information about events.
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How do I receive intellectual stimulation as a member?
You'll find a good "mental workout" in the Mensa Bulletin, the national magazine. In newsletters published by each of our 135 local chapters, you can share your opinions as well as read other points of view. Meetings and gatherings provide many opportunities for intellectual stimulation.
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How do Mensans help others?
Mensa Education & Research Foundation
The Mensa Foundation sponsors scholarships, participates in research, rewards excellence in gifted research and publishes the Mensa Research Journal.
Gifted Children Resource Program
This program provides information on gifted children and gifted children resources.
Project Inkslinger
Inkslinger started when the Mississippi and its tributaries flooded parts of the Midwest and South. Several schools and libraries lost their entire collections to water damage. American Mensans helped replace these books and continue to help libraries and schools in need.
Local Groups
Groups volunteer for community-oriented activities in their area, including public-television pledge drives and scholarship fund-raisers.
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More information about Mensans' activities and programs.
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Are there groups in American Mensa that share my special interests?
At the present time, there are more than 140 national special interest groups (SIGs) that range from Chocolate M to Military History and from SCUBA to Mystery Book Swap. These groups are started by members who share a common interest. Groups communicate regularly via newsletters and other forums.
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More information about SIGs.
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Are there other special benefits to being a Mensa member?
Along with the intellectual and social activities, members receive other benefits including programs that offer special discounts to Mensa members. We are always looking into new areas to provide extra value for Mensa membership.
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More information about membership benefits.
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What is the cost of membership?
Current dues for American Mensa are $52 a year. Life, multi-year and family plans are available.
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