What do collegiate secret societies do

However, the original initials, F. The F. Society is the oldest-known secret society in the U. The club disbanded during both the American Revolution and World War II, presumably due to the lack of males attending college. Infamous Incidents: The Flat Hat Club, whose members only identify themselves as an organization and never as individuals, often donates money to the school to be used to better student life in some way.

Once, Samuel Sadler, a former vice president for student affairs, said an email popped up in his inbox saying that the Flat Hat Club would like to provide textbooks for students in need. Interesting Facts: Quill and Dagger was the first of the Ivy League societies to admit women into its ranks.

With membership now being too difficult to conceal, the names of newly tapped Quill and Dagger members, like those of several other secret societies at other campuses, are published in Cornell's student newspaper. Quill and Dagger, however, takes this one step further and publishes a book, available on Amazon , with the names and addresses for each member.

This society has also embraced social media and operates a LinkedIn group for alumni. However, at the time of this accusation, 12 of the 40 members of Quill and Dagger were minorities. Interesting Facts: The Cadaver Society is thought to be comprised of mostly pre-med students, but no one really knows since membership is still successfully kept in the dark.

Meetings only occur after dark, with members dressed in black capes with hoods to conceal their faces. The meeting place is unknown, but it has been speculated that there is a system of underground passageways used by the members to keep themselves invisible from the rest of campus. Many theories exist regarding the entrances to these passageways, including suspicious doors that are always locked in the science building's basement, manhole covers, and a small door in the wall of the Leyburn Library.

Since the installation of a turf field, it can be seen on the adjacent hillside. Interesting Facts: The Seven Society was formed when eight students agreed to meet for a card game and only seven showed up. This society is so secretive that members are only revealed after they have passed away, via a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a seven placed upon the grave of the deceased. In addition, the university chapel bell reportedly tolls in a dissonant seventh chord, seven times, in seven-second increments, on the seventh of the hour.

Should you wish to contact the Seven Society, the only way to do so is to place a note at the base of the Thomas Jefferson statue in the University Rotunda.

Its most famous members included Thomas Jefferson, St. George Tucker, and George Wythe. Some secret societies only invite final year students to their groups, so they have the chance to observe them during their third year at the university. What happens behind closed doors is largely unknown.

Rumors of hazing rituals, Illuminati conspiracies, and conspiracy theories involving government agencies only add to the allure of university secret societies. Unfortunately, the majority of these rumors are just that, rumors. Throughout the year and particularly around graduation, secret societies find ways to give back to their university through anonymous philanthropic acts.

Some secret societies also host literary debate groups, lecture speakers, and various events throughout the year. Every secret society has initiations, rituals, oaths, or handshakes that help distinguish its members.

Most societies limit membership to a specific number of students or a particular class year. While the selection process differs from one university to the next, the original selection process for entry into a collegiate secret society began at Yale University.

Then they would ask them if they wanted to join their secret society, and the student would choose to accept or reject the membership offer. Some societies put seal-stamped letters under doors of prospective juniors, while others send cryptic emails inviting them to rush parties.

Our expert admissions strategist help students reach their ultimate US university admissions goals. Book a free consultation to learn more about our Admissions Support Program. Here are the top 8 college secret societies, some unusual facts about each, and their most famous members. Its infamous history is shrouded in mystery and extends back to , when the society was first established. The club chooses 15 new members to join each year. Those selected become Bonesmen and Boneswomen.

All Bonesman and Boneswomen are sworn to secrecy and forbidden to reveal what goes on behind closed doors. Members meet twice a week in a windowless building called the Tomb.

The Tomb presumably comes from a rumor that in a group of Bonesmen allegedly including Prescott Bush, father of George H. Bush dug up the skull of Apache leader Geronimo, who died in , and took it back to their headquarters as a trophy.

Many members have become wealthy and famous business leaders of the world. Skull and Crossbones was allegedly involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the creation of the nuclear bomb. Some even believe it was created by the CIA to recruit Yale students to the secret service.

Crimson Students are 4x more likely to gain admission to Ivy League universities such as Yale. This secret society is built on superstitions and bizarre traditions. The biggest mystery, however, is speculation surrounding how one actually gains a membership. The most concrete evidence of the society existing is the number seven markings left around the campus and their generous philanthropy to the university.

Their donations arrive in letters signed with the seven astronomical symbols in the order: Earth, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Uranus, and Venus. Donations and scholarships are given in quantities that include the number seven. There is so much to suggest this society exists, yet there is still so little we know about them. In , a small explosion interrupted the commencement ceremony. The university used the money to create an interest-free loan for students and faculty members in financial trouble.

Dartmouth is a hotbed of college societies. Crimson Students are 4x more likely to gain admission to Ivy League universities such as Dartmouth. Yet, the rumors of this secret society alone are worthy of it securing a place on our list. They are said to wander the campus at night, dressed in black, their faces covered with skull masks as they mark their sign. Like any good secret society, they also seem to have plenty of money, often making philanthropic donations to the college.

The Order of Gimghoul is one of the creepiest secret societies, mainly because it's named after a University of North Carolina student, Peter Droomgole, who mysteriously vanished from campus in Originally called the Order of Droomgole, it changed its name to sound more sinister.

Membership is invite-only and open to both students and faculty. The group was founded by the most talented British stonemasons, who banded together to charge premium prices for their superior techniques. The American Masons are older than the country itself. The first branch was founded in Boston in , and it expanded rapidly from there. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the organization became a political machine, connecting networks of powerful people to pull strings and influence decisions.

The allure of power and political gain was so intense, in fact, that fraternal organizations became controversial for their ability to entice men to obsessive loyalty. Harwood posited in To combat this, the organization has actively attempted to dissolve any association with underhandedness by opening its doors and spilling its secrets. Today, Mason wannabes still need to be nominated by an existing member, but any man can petition to join.

But these days, Masons are less likely to be railroad tycoons and more likely to be airline pilots like Minneapolis Lodge Master Peter Fakkeldij , consulting firm associates like Alexander Oftelie and entrepreneurial CEOs like Bram Vollebregt. Another difference between then and now? These names are public, their ranks are searchable, and membership is no longer and can no longer be a mystery. It was Tap Night , when collegiate secret societies approach recruits for initiation.

Still today, Yale has dozens of covert clubs. Some, like the famed Skull and Bones , are more high-profile than others, and interests range from drinking and debauchery to philanthropy and human rights.

Recruits are tapped at the end of their junior year to join the following year. In terms of connections and networking, all of my friendships could become relationships with future world leaders. Joining a secret society allows you to enjoy more of these connections. Can they join a clandestine organization without Instagramming it? Jane Doe waited until after she had left Yale to spill her secrets, and everything she told me proved my assumptions wrong.

It started with a cocktail hour, then a formal debate began. Nobody gave me instructions, but it was clear I was to jump in as I felt inclined. When she belonged in , confidentiality was maintained by offline communication and careful codes of conduct. Linonians knew of meeting times and locales only through word of mouth. They never traveled as a group, appearing on campus only in smaller pairings.

The current members were all in masks and robes, and led us around campus, where we had to complete silly tasks like doing a cartwheel while singing a Celine Dion song. While some societies are surviving the modern world, others are struggling to evolve.

University administrations are no longer tolerating the rampant exclusion inherent in traditionally all-male, white, upper-class clubs. In , Harvard cracked down on single-gender social groups i. The policy was a clear warning. The obvious issue for the Harvard administration? But for some secret societies, exclusion has been the least of their problems.