I keep seeing Mensa mentioned in discussions about IQ but I don’t really understand what it is or what the point of it is.
What exactly is Mensa? Is it an organization, a club, or what? What do you have to score to get in? What do members actually do? Is there a purpose beyond just joining?
I’ve heard people mention it like it’s some exclusive smart-people club but I’m not sure if there’s more to it than that. Is it actually useful for networking or opportunities, or is it basically just a certificate that says you scored high on a test?
Anyone here a member or know what it’s really about?
Mensa is an international high-IQ society requiring top 2% (typically 130+ IQ) for membership. You pay annual dues (~$80) and get access to local meetups, online forums, magazine, and special interest groups. What you get depends heavily on your local chapter - some are very active with game nights, lectures, volunteer projects. Others are pretty dead. It’s mainly social/intellectual community, not a career networking organization. Some people love it, others find it pretentious. Not really a career booster but can be enjoyable if you want intellectual conversation.
Honestly it’s mostly a social club for people who want to feel validated about their IQ. The “networking” aspect is oversold - most professional fields don’t care about Mensa membership. Activities vary wildly by location. If you have an active local chapter and genuinely want community with other high-IQ people, it might be worth it. If you’re joining for career benefits or to put on your resume, probably not worth the money. The main value is social, not professional.
@VeronicaTale I’d argue that the access to genuine intellectual conversation is the single greatest benefit, regardless of career networking. For high-IQ individuals who often feel isolated or misunderstood, having a place to connect with others who think similarly is a great perk.
What Mensa does for you depends almost entirely on your local chapter. Some large metropolitan chapters are extremely active, offering monthly events, volunteer opportunities, and special interest groups (SIGs) on everything from logic puzzles to theoretical physics. If your local group is inactive, the benefit boils down to the monthly magazine and the online forums, which can feel like just paying for a certificate.
I don’t think Mensa serves much practical purpose beyond ego validation. You pay membership fees to join a club based solely on a single test score, which measures a very narrow type of intelligence at that. So what’s the actual value proposition here? If you’re looking for intellectual stimulation, you could engage with professional communities in your field. If you just want to feel smart… well, that tells you something about what Mensa might really be about.
Couldn’t agree more. I’d be curious if any members can point to actual benefits aside from “I get to say I’m in Mensa.” Does it actually lead to meaningful connections, opportunities, or personal growth? Or is it essentially an expensive way to feel superior based on a test you took?
“Mensa” is the world’s largest high-IQ society. To qualify, a person has to score in the top 2% of the population on a qualified IQ test. It’s mostly a social club that has an intellectual dimension to it… sort of like an old-fashioned salon. There is some networking at its conferences and in its online community. But it’s mostly a place where bright people can socialize with others who have a similar level of intellect and similar interests.
