Individual chapters may, in their bylaws, add to these criteria. Chapters may NEVER reduce the basic national criteria. Additional chapter criteria must be based strictly on academic achievement, and they must be measurable. A chapter may increase the GPA requirement for admission, for example, but not require that eligible students be voted into membership by other members, or impose any non-academic requirement such as community service. Chapters are also discouraged from imposing any requirement that involves subjective evaluation, such as a paper competition, which will almost inevitably result in disputes. They may not include extracurricular requirements or any sort of “pledging” process.

Members should follow the guidance of the Chapter Advisor when writing the section of their bylaws which lists admission requirements, and should feel free to consult with the National Office whenever there is a question.