Why is Phi Beta Kappa a big deal?

Many influential people in American history distinguished themselves academically during college when they were elected and inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, a national academic honor society commonly known as PBK. Seventeen U.S. presidents and more than 150 Nobel laureates have been Phi Beta Kappa members.

What is the point of Phi Beta Kappa?

To celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts. Phi Beta Kappa (ΦΒΚ) stands for Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης (Philosophia Biou Kybernētēs), which means "Wisdom [lit. love of knowledge] is the guide [lit. helmsman] of life".

Is getting into Phi Beta Kappa a big deal?

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.

Do employers care about Phi Beta Kappa?

Simply put - yes. No matter how long and impressive your work experience is, there is no harm in boosting your resume a little more. Even if it is not relevant anymore, Phi Beta Kappa is still worth the mention. It is a significant honor, and you should find a place for it on your resume.

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.

5 Reasons Why A Phi Beta Kappa Membership Matters

What is the most prestigious honor society?

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor society.

How do you get invited to Phi Beta Kappa?

The standard pathway into this group is through stellar college grades in a wide range of challenging classes at an approved college or university. Only about 10% of U.S. undergraduate institutions have PBK chapters that induct students.

How hard is it to get into 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.

Is Phi Beta Kappa good on a 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.

Is Phi Beta Kappa good or bad?

In conclusion, Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious honor society that recognizes academic excellence and encourages community service and leadership. While the society has made efforts to address issues of systemic bias and social injustice, it is not currently certified as an Inclusive Honor Society.

What famous people are Phi Beta Kappa?

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.

Is Phi Beta Kappa a secret society?

Phi Beta Kappa began as a secret society to provide students with the freedom to discuss and debate any topic. Ever since then, freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression have served as hallmarks of ΦBK.

Is Phi Beta Kappa at Harvard?

Undergraduates are elected to the Harvard College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa three times a year.

How rare is Phi Beta Kappa?

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.

What percentage of students graduate Phi Beta Kappa?

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

Does Phi Beta Kappa look good for law school?

It will not affect your grades or anything that has to do with law school. It just simply looks nice on the CV and quite a nice humble brag to give during interviews to law firms. But in short, you do not HAVE to join the society for applying to law school. How does one join Phi Beta Kappa?

What do you wear to Phi Beta Kappa ceremony?

At the December ceremony, students wear professional attire. At the May ceremony, students wear regalia. The chapter's current practice is to present each student with a certificate, a Phi Beta Kappa key, and an honor cord during the ceremony. Our thanks to the various college deans for their support in this regard.

Is Phi Beta Kappa invitation only?

Only students at a college or university may be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Membership is invitation-only and contingent upon fulfillment of minimum requirements. Chapters are expected to determine the specific application of standards stated in these stipulations.

Are you a member of Phi Beta Kappa for life?

An invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa recognizes and honors exceptional academic achievement in the arts and sciences. It is a mark of outstanding personal achievement that will have an impact on the rest of your life and career. Phi Beta Kappa membership lasts a lifetime.

How does a college get a Phi Beta Kappa chapter?

Those seeking a chapter will be expected to produce both qualitative and quantitative evidence demonstrating that their institution has standards that encourage excellence, a system of governance that promotes academic freedom and vigor, a scholarly faculty, a promising student body, a library and other educational ...

What is the motto of Phi Beta Kappa?

The Greek initials for the society's motto, "Love of learning is the guide of life," form the name Phi Beta Kappa.

How do you describe Phi Beta Kappa on a resume?

How do you describe Phi Beta Kappa on a resume? Add Phi Beta Kappa to the education section of your resume. Under your degree, college name, and dates of attendance, add a bullet point to highlight your honors.

How many people are inducted into Phi Beta Kappa?

Phi Beta Kappa chapters are the heart of our Society, inducting over 10,000 new members each year. Every year, Phi Beta Kappa's 293 chapters at U.S. undergraduate institutions induct exemplary juniors and seniors who excelled in a rigorous arts and sciences education.