Apply for the 2020-2021 Initiate Class

The application for membership in the ODK chapter at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will open August 31st and must be submitted no later than October 2nd at 11:59 PM. If you have questions concerning the selection process, completing the application, or Omicron Delta Kappa, please do not hesitate to contact the Membership Committee: unlincoln.odk@gmail.com

The Lincoln Circle is aligning more with national values and will no longer be an exclusive senior honor society. We will be accepting applications from current Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students at UNL. This means that current Juniors who apply to ODK have the potential to be in ODK and can still apply and become a member of another senior honorary on campus.

About ODK

Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. Through membership in ODK, you enter the ranks of over 300,000 women and men whose peers recognize them as scholars and leaders.

ODK, the National Leadership Society, is one of four members of the Honor Society Caucus, a consortium of the most prestigious honor societies in the country. ODK recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Omicron Delta Kappa was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia by fifteen students and faculty leaders. The society recognizes achievement in:

  • Scholarship
  • Athletics
  • Campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government
  • Journalism, speech and mass media
  • Creative and performing arts

Who Can Apply

To qualify for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, students must meet the following requirements:
  • Undergraduate students must have completed at least four semesters as a full-time student by October 2nd (two semesters for transfer students) at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
  • Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student standing during the 2020-2021 school year.
  • A cumulative grade point average must be in the top 35% of class within applicant’s respective college.
  • An achievement of distinction in one of the five areas of leadership listed on this application.

How To Apply

To apply for membership to ODK you must:

  • Fill out the first part of the application here. Search for "University of Nebraska - Lincoln" in "College/University Name," and then select "Junior". You are required to enter your NUID as the student ID number. This will be used to match your application on the ODK website to the other pieces of your application.
  • Fill out the second part of the application here. Fill out the entirety of the application. Please complete four essays (250 words maximum). There are two required prompts and three optional questions. From the optional essays, pick two. Your application will not be considered if you fail to complete four essays.
  • You are required to submit a letter of recommendation. Please ask your letter writer to submit the letter here by October 2, 2020. If your letter writer is not an affiliate of UNL, please have them e-mail the letter to unlincoln.odk@gmail.com.

To prevent bias from influencing our selection of new members, ODK uses a blind evaluation process. It is essential that none of your application materials contain your name. Only provide your name when it is specifically requested.