<p>Our junior daughter has been invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the academics honorary. Getting my "Mom brag" out of the way :), my H and I are obviously very proud of her academic achievements (and of her as a whole; we think she's a great girl).</p>
<p>However, I was wondering if it's something she should do or not. I was part of several academic honoraries when I was in college, but my school was not affiliated with Phi Beta Kappa, so I don't know anything about the organization. I did, however, put those affiliations on my resume and they're still there 30 years later.</p>
<p>The letter stated that there's a $75 fee to join, which pays for registration and your membership certificate, which we will gladly dole out if our D thinks she wants to be part of it (she wanted me to ask the folks on CC what they thought). It also talks about a $10,000 scholarship that can be applied for this spring for graduate study; however D's plans are to graduate from college and work for awhile first so this doesn't directly apply to her situation, although plans can always change.</p>
<p>Is this another "name" sort of thing, like Who's Who Among American High School Students, where the primary purpose is to get you to pay for your name in a book/on a roll but it doesn't really "mean" anything?</p>
<p>Or would it be an impressive thing to have on a resume or for an application to graduate/law school - which she may eventually be interested in attending? She's an economics major with a strong interest in the public health sector. Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>Yes, she should join. It is not anything like Who's Who... It is a resume padder, to be sure, but it is a well known organization and designation. </p>
<p>My S' school does not have Phi Beta Kappa, but Golden Key, which is similar, but certainly not the same. He did not join Golden Key as it would not have the same recognition factor. He opted to join the National Honorary Fraternity of his field of study that will have same impact on his grad apps as Phi Beta would for your d.</p>
<p>I think Phi Beta Kappa is "worth it". It's one of the honoraries the actually means something - not only to the enrichment students might get (depending upon the chapter) but it also means something to grad schools, scholarships, and even to some employers.</p>
<p>There's no downside to accepting the invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa, which was established in 1776, if I recall (I did a 200-year anniversary graphic in 76), so it's a venerable institution. I paid a $20 fee back in the day (1975) and have not paid anything else since. Looks very good on a resume.</p>
<p>^that depends on the school. Some select their PBK in junior year, some in senior year.</p>
<p>I don't know the answer, but intuitively it seems that it should make a difference, at least potentially, because it lets the future grad schools/ employers/ etc. know from the first glance at your resume that you graduated at the top of your class, which is always a good sign...</p>
<p>Agree with the above. Congratulations, and PBK really is a different type organization. You can be as involved as you want, or not involved at all, after you initially join. Your daughter will get the occasional mailing asking her to contribute to the PBK foundation but it is extremely low-pressure. Cool pin/keychain too.</p>
<p>My wife's Phi Beta Kappa membership was a contributing factor in her admittance to a highly selective grad school program and her hiring for at least two jobs she has subsequently held. $75 is a small investment in this particular case in my opinion. Congratulations to your family!</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your input, and I will forward the congratulations on to our D, who did all the hard work to merit the invitation. It does sound like a good thing to join. I knew I could get good feedback here.</p>
<p>Phi Beta Kappa probably won't make a difference for grad school applications or initial job offers because it is pretty much GPA-based, and GPA is listed anyway. I still think Phi Beta Kappa is worth joining, though. After a few years it's tacky to list your GPA on your resume'. However, you can list Phi Beta Kappa on your resume' for the rest of your career and have it known that you were a star student in college.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your D. JOIN! Golden Key is open to the top 15% of students per their letters, they actually have an active chapter on son's campus per school info. But, they are not Phi Beta Kappa (also at son's school)- that is the impressive organization to get recognition from. One of those things like being a National Merit Scholar/Finalist, an elite academic distinction that was earned and few people have. Also, something that incurs no extra obligations as I understand it.</p>