How do MENSA invitations work?

Removed by me: apparently my response was offensive.

I was asked while in college because of my SAT Entrance Exam scores, I think it was one of the Department heads that was a member.

My mother passed all their tests over 20 years ago, but never got involved socially. I used to glance through the periodicals they would send, and they aren’t all intelligentsia snobs, from what I saw. If you are a social person and looking for ways to network with a diverse and interesting group of people, it might be a good option. I am not sure what their tests are like nowadays, but as long as you pass, you are MENSA material. This might be a way to meet new people when you move.

I really can’t remember sitting an IQ test although I probably did when I was at school. I agree with what you say Shippy in not wanting to know if you were not MENSA material as it is quite a nice thing to think…just maybe!!

Anyone can do their test, as far as I know. They were set up at the library here some years ago. The invitation came to join after the test was taken. Met some good people who are now good friends. In fact, they met at Mensa themselves and have been together since and have a son a year older than ours. We vacation together and they take our little man for overnight visits once a year so we can attend an overnight work thing.

I’ve been a member on and off for over 35 years. I’ve gone to some events and met some interesting people. At one of the dinners we each were handed 4 letters and were supposed to team up and trade with others to ultimately make the longest word. However since the prize was a fixed amount the more members you had the smaller the share for each person. Some people took it so seriously. I was having so much fun talking to one of the guys I gave my letters away – as did he. Not very sportsman-like. I really enjoyed myself.
I was not “on the market” at the time but I’d say it is a good place to meet someone if that was one of your goals.

By the way, in real life I do not tell people I belong to Mensa.

I have been a member of Mensa since the 1970’s. The membership requirements are related to your score on a proctored I. Q. test. Most groups have a proctored test session once a month or so.

I attended and hosted activities for many years, but as my children got older, I preferred family activities over the mostly adult activities in the local group. Over the years I held many local offices, and I organized several large gatherings.

As with any volunteer group, you get as much out of the club as you are willing to put in.

I’m a member now, and went to a meeting right after I became a member. I also went to a “regional gathering.” I really don’t have any desire to go back, mostly because pretty much all that happened was that we ate and played cards. Whoopee.

The one Mensan I ever met was not a person I would be interested in ever talking to again. Unfortunately, she was a member of our conversational salon for a while. She was socially maladroit, and constantly talked about being a member of MENSA and implying that she was very smart and that Mensans were better than other people.

It’s hard not to think that if she enjoyed it so much, then most of the other members would be a lot like her.

I have found many ways to meet interesting people in my life. Science fiction writers, conversationalists, anarchists, artists, dancers, writers, scientists, philosophers and so on.

I think that forming a group based on an ability to take intelligence tests is not a really useful way to bring together interesting people. It might be a good way to bring together people who want to make themselves feel good about being smarter than the average bear, but that, for me, does not lead to interesting people. It leads to test wonks. Sometimes socially awkward test wonks. And it is really hard for me to imagine them being able to dance, either!

I think @wundayatta expresses pretty much my experience, too. It was too many maladjusted, socially awkward, self-righteous, pugnacious, arrogant people in one place. Sort of like. .. um, Fluther?? LOL Just kidding.

I forgot to mention that I got in because of my ACT score. My husband was told by a ttherapist that she thought that he should be able to take the
test and get in, but he didn’t qualify with his score. I didn’t want to after I took the ACT, because I felt like the
people who have already
responded, but when he took the test I decided to see if I really did qualify because of
my score Just because. I knew that there wasn’t any way I could take the test now and pass. It really wasn’t any fun, because I don’t enjoy setting around hearing other people brag avoid talking about how great they are. (I’m not any good at card games either!)

I guess I should have waited until I got home to answer that!
Now that I’m not in a position to see exactly how I answered it on my smaller screen. The site won’t let me edit my answer anymore now.

@cazzie Kidding aside, I’m sure there are more similarities than people might be comfortable with. Even so, you still show up here from time to time, so Fluther must have some redeeming qualities that are not found in MENSA.

@wundayatta I have to admit, it appeals to my teacher-wanna-be side. But, also, there are people here that warm my heart every day. I would rather be with people with common sense than immeasurable IQ any day of the week.

I have never taken the MENSA tests but have tested as gifted.
Yes, whoopee….if everyone is exceptionally bright but socially mute…well…I want LIVELY interaction.
Maybe they should segregate extrovert members from the land of the silent geniuses. haha

^^loll pity brains don’t equal emotional intelligence I say. Not that I have that either. :)

@Shippy Haha..I’m a perfect blend of bright and scattered at times. That’s how my personality type has earned the label of “wacky professor.”
We’re capable of some amazing contributions If only we can remember where the hell we left our presentation notes. haha