Election is based primarily upon scholarship with sound character considered.
Seniors and graduate students must rank scholastically in the upper ten percent of their class. Juniors may be considered in the final period of their junior year if they rank in the upper five percent of their class. Limited numbers of faculty members and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction may be elected. An occasional honorary or distinguished member may be elected by a chapter with the approval of the Board of Directors. A national scholar and a national artist are recognized each triennium.