<p>My S was recently inducted into PBK, but to my knowledge he did not pay any fee. He was sent a letter inviting him to a nice dinner. He would respond to any invitation for food. Each student was asked in invite a faculty guest who got up and spoke about each candidate. This group of students will elect the faculty member to win the PBK teaching award for this year. He was told he was now in the PBK data base, but if he wanted a certificate he would have to buy one. </p>
<p>I agree that it is an honor and worth the $75.00. We're thinking of getting him a framed certificate as a Christmas present since he would never spend money on something like that himself.</p>
<p>Why is it that PBK waits as late as the last day you graduate from College to induct someone?
I have noticed in my S's school, they only select kids in their junior year. Is this because they want to see a consistency in performance?</p>
<p>many universities have multiple induction points. I know of at least one that inducts mid junior year, fall of senior year, and spring of senior year. The different timings reflect the strength of credentials among other things. </p>
<p>At most major universities, the bulk of inductees are at the end of senior year, because that is when the university knows its final standings. So, consistency in performance is one way to look at it, but it is a bit more complex than that.</p>
<p>So far as I know, it's entirely based on grades. </p>
<p>If I recall correctly, I didn't find out until right around the time of my college graduation. I remember I was standing around in a group, and someone came over and handed manila envelopes to a few of us. The notice of selection was inside. One poor guy standing near me was expecting to be selected, but didn't get an envelope. He was devastated.</p>
<p>Phi Beta Kappa is based on BOTH curriculum (an invitee must have pursued a distribution of courses) and grades (invitee must have achieved a particular GPA). And of course, they must be in school at a place that is allowed to confer Phi Beta Kappa chapters (not all institutions have a chapter). Perhaps the confusion persists because campus chapters may vary a bit in their requirements, but all require the combination of breadth and academic achievement.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago the Phi Beta Kappa periodical featured a number of contributions from members about what their Phi Beta Kappa membership had helped them with (if anything). Responses varied; some felt it had been a big deal in the professional lives, others didn't. My advisor told me it would be like a "Laying on of hands" and I should try for the honor. I would agree that in the academic world, where I've stayed, it has been a help. I suspect it's a much less important honor in other realms. But for $75, given the fact that your daughter will always have the honor, I would consider it worth it no matter what her field. I'm glad she joined.</p>
<p>Congratulations to her.</p>
<p>In response to another comment--I would not consider a Phi Beta Kappa designation the same as the GPA because it tells grad schools/employer two other things--one, that the student earned that GPA while pursuing breadth, and that the student attended a college considered worthy of a chapter.</p>
<p>If my school doesn't have a chapter (and thus I didn't join because there is no chapter to join), will this be a big detriment in applying to grad school and/or jobs?</p>
<p>Should this be something HS students look at when choosing a college?</p>
<p>Congrats to your D, Colorado, and to all the other invitees! :)</p>