What does graduating Phi Beta Kappa mean?

Phi Be·​ta Kap·​pa ˌfī-ˌbā-tə-ˈka-pə : a person winning high scholastic distinction in an American college or university and being elected to membership in a national honor society founded in 1776.

Is Phi Beta Kappa a big deal?

The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦΒΚ) is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity.

What does Phi Beta Kappa get you?

As a member, you have the opportunity to wear the ΦBK regalia at your graduation and the ΦBK key for life. Listing Phi Beta Kappa membership on your resume signals your high level of achievement and capacity for critical thinking to future employers.

What percent of college graduates are Phi Beta Kappa?

Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa is an honor conferred upon fewer than ten percent of each graduating class.

What does it mean to be elected to Phi Beta Kappa?

Both inside and outside of academe, membership in Phi Beta Kappa is recognized as the highest national academic distinction a liberal arts and sciences student can receive. Because it is so highly regarded, applicants for further education and for professional positions requiring Ph. D.'s, M.D.'s etc.

5 Reasons Why A Phi Beta Kappa Membership Matters

What is the hardest honor society to get into?

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is one of the best honor societies, and is also the most selective honor society for all academic disciplines, accepting only members in the top 7.5% of their second semester. For graduate students, they accept only the top 10 percent of students.

Does being in Phi Beta Kappa matter?

Since your membership in Phi Beta Kappa is for life, the advantages go well beyond your college years. You will have a competitive edge in the graduate school or job market, access to scholarships and lifelong access to a network of alumni across the country.

Is Phi Beta Kappa rare?

A Rare Honor

10% of U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters. These chapters select only about 10 percent of their arts and sciences graduates to join. Represented by a signature gold key and three Greek letters, Phi Beta Kappa offers a credential that has national recognition.

Is Phi Beta Kappa an award or honor?

Founded in 1776, the same year as this country, it is the oldest honor society in the United States. Its members continue to be recognized as leaders in their disciplines and professions.

What is the most prestigious honor society?

Since our founding in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa has celebrated excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and championed freedom of thought. As America's most prestigious academic honor society, we are uniquely equipped to advocate for the value and benefits of liberal arts and sciences education.

Is Phi Beta Kappa hard to get?

A Rare Honor

10% of U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters. These chapters select only about 10 percent of their arts and sciences graduates to join.

Is Phi Beta Kappa worth putting on resume?

As your experience grows, your professional achievements will matter more than academic accomplishments. However, that does not mean you should leave Phi Beta Kappa. It is a significant honor and you should add it to the resume if you can.

Who gets invited to Phi Beta Kappa?

To become a member of Phi Beta Kappa, students must meet a rigorous set of requirements. These requirements include a high GPA, a strong record of academic achievement, and a demonstrated commitment to the liberal arts and sciences.

What famous people are Phi Beta Kappa?

How is Phi Beta Kappa chosen?

Students are elected on the basis of excellence of study across the liberal arts and sciences, as exhibited by grade point average and breadth of completed coursework.

How many people get invited to Phi Beta Kappa?

These chapters select only the top 10 percent of their arts and sciences graduates to join Phi Beta Kappa – making Phi Beta Kappa membership one of the most prestigious honors a student can receive.

Does Phi Beta Kappa have graduation cords?

Graduation Honor Cords

Each student who has been invited into Phi Beta Kappa and joined the Society receives an honor cord at the initiation ceremony to wear at commencement.

Does Phi Beta Kappa have a secret handshake?

Our founders, five William & Mary students, envisioned a secret society to discuss important issues of the day. Phi Beta Kappa was the first collegiate society with a Greek letter name and introduced an oath of secrecy, a badge, Greek and Latin mottoes, and a special handshake.

Which honor societies are worth joining?

The best honor societies in the US include Phi Beta Kappa, Honorsociety.org, Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Beta Phi Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

What honor societies are legit?

National Honour Society, Phi Theta Kappa, or Phi Beta Kappa? These are NOT scams. PBK is for 4 year colleges. It's the oldest and most prestigious.

What is the best honor in college?

Summa cum laude, which means "with highest honor," is the highest academic award designated for students in the top 1-5% of a class or those with a GPA of 3.9-4.0.

Is Phi Beta Kappa selective?

Each year, about one college senior in a hundred, nationwide, is invited to join, making Phi Beta Kappa one of the most selective associations in the nation. Fewer than 15% of U.S. colleges and universities have been granted a chapter.

Does Harvard have Phi Beta Kappa?

Forty-eight Harvard College seniors received invitations Monday to join Harvard's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most esteemed academic honor society in the country. The new “Senior 48” includes students from the Class of 2024 across all 12 undergraduate houses and a wide array of academic concentrations.

Does Phi Beta Kappa help you get a job?

Phi Beta Kappa can help you navigate the search for a meaningful career. Whether you just graduated from college or are already established in your field, find tools and resources designed to grow your connections and your career horizons.