<p>A friend/co-worker recently shared the news that her son had been invited into his school's (a top-30 LAC) PBK chapter. He was hesitant to accept because he thought it was just another organization without significance that asked him for a membership fee--a nominal fee, but a fee all the same. She disagreed with him and encouraged him to accept the invitation and acknowledge that, in her words, this is a big deal. She went on to say that she'd read that the presence of a PBK chapter is one indication of a "really good school".</p>
<p>I'm wondering what your thoughts are on PBK, its significance on a future resume, and its value as an indicator of the quality of the institution.</p>
<p>It seems to me that the impact of being elected a member of PBK is greatest in academia, but it should be a plus in any field where people understand what it means.</p>
<p>Your friend is correct, being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious honor symbolizing academic excellence for students pursuing liberal arts and science degrees. Since inception, 17 U.S. Presidents, 37 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and 131 Nobel Laureates have been inducted members, as well as my H. He’s very proud of his “key”.</p>
<p>Phi Beta Kappa is the real deal. It might be more important in academia–in academia, it is the kind of honor that tends to remain on one’s resume for life, while other honor societies drop off over time. On the other hand, I have read of an advertising agency in NYC where the person running the agency hired only members of Phi Beta Kappa, and preferably those elected in the junior year. (Was this a biography of Caroline Bird? I read it when I was about 10 or 11, so my recollection is not too good.) Ann Landers used to define “class” as the possession of a Phi Beta Kappa key that one didn’t wear.</p>
<p>The proliferation of “honor” societies that are semi-legit has caused people to be wary of any honor that carries a fee. (There’s another thread on this issue, with respect to a fee-charging group.) One of the students in my department did not realize the significance of Phi Beta Kappa, ignored it as a junior, and then after a rough year, was not re-offered membership as a senior.</p>
<p>I believe that some schools will pay the membership fee in Phi Beta Kappa for students who are elected. Princeton may even purchase the keys for the students. Our university does not–the chapter can’t afford it.</p>
<p>New chapters of Phi Beta Kappa can be founded at colleges when the number of Phi Beta Kappa members on the faculty reaches a certain critical value (not sure what that is) and when the universities that already have chapters in the state/region recognize the college as offering a rigorous education in the liberal arts. Chapters are labeled with Greek letters in order of establishment within the state/region. So the presence of Phi Beta Kappa on campus does tend to correlate to some extent with the quality of the institution; but it’s not a guarantor, nor does its absence mean low quality, if the institution focuses outside of the liberal arts (e.g., Olin will probably never have a chapter).</p>
<p>As I recall, the first chapter was founded about 1776-ish at William and Mary.</p>
<p>H and I will be watching when D is inducted on 5/13. Of course, we knew it was special before your post, but I was hoping someone would eloquently describe the benefits and significance.</p>
<p>DD is PBK, and I know there was a one time fee but i don’t remember what is was. I do believe it is a true honor. Her school chapter could not afford to purchase keys for inductees and she chose not to purchase one. I told her we would pay for it but she said it would just get tossed in a drawer.</p>
<p>Several earlier threads on this subject - you can do a search.</p>
<p>I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at my school totally separate from paying a fee or buying a key. This was in The Olden Days - so YMMV at different times or different schools.</p>
<p>I’m not in academia, and my PBK membership has been mentioned in many of my job interviews. It has a lot of magic. PBK and graduating summa cum laude are shorthand ways people can pigeonhole you in a positive way.</p>
<p>It’s a great honor and has great recognition in all places and fields of employment. I am a "73PBK, and I still look forward to getting the publications. My school chapter still asks for a small amount of money here and there,but they also sponsor speakers in NYC, and I can go if I so Choose. Plus, I wear my key with turtlenecks!</p>
<p>“Ann Landers used to define “class” as the possession of a Phi Beta Kappa key that one didn’t wear.”</p>
<p>I enjoyed this comment. When I was elected to PBK 30 years ago, it never was an achievement that was on my radar. My older brother had been elected to it at his school but I had no idea I was eligible for it until the election announcement letter arrived in my dormitory mailbox one morning. My father actually ordered my key for me which I still have but keep tucked away in my jewelry box. As I have gone through the years it’s been an achievement I could be quietly proud of but I usually don’t mention it to anyone. However in the raising of two sons, now grown, and going through my career, there have been many days when I have not felt particularly wise. (Raising kids can especially do that to you!) But then I remind myself of the little gold key in my jewelry box and I smile. I am sure having this honor means different things to different people. For me it’s been self validating. </p>
<p>Having said that, my younger son is about to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering from a high ranking engineering school that does not have a PBK chapter because it is not a liberal arts institution. And I absolutely know he is smart enough to be in PBK. So just a thought that PBK is a measure of liberal arts excellence but there are many other kinds of academic excellence as well.</p>
<p>My son was just notified today that he is eligible for PBK! He’s a senior. I told him the second it becomes official it needs to go on his resume - right next to his GPA.</p>
<p>I really hope this helps in his job hunt, which at the moment is going nowhere… slowly. He’s an economics major and international government minor, and describes himself as “conversant” in Spanish. He’s pretty flexible about what jobs he’ll take, he just wants some sort of international component (even just an international company).</p>
<p>D’s university just got a PBK chapter last year and they were ecstatic. They viewed it as a huge stamp of approval for their university.</p>
<p>(the other thing S has been told to leave on his resume for life: Eagle Scout. It’s at the bottom, under “other” or “Personal info.”)</p>
<p>Well crud, I guess I have no class. One of my favorite necklaces used to be a “charm bracelet” gathering of all my college stuff. PBK key, sorority lavalier, service “spur”, charm of college mascot, etc all jumbled together. It has served as my good-luck talisman many times. Including the day I sat in the paper gown getting a breast cancer diagnosis. The doctor mentioned something about never knowing what to do with his key… I have the PBK membership certificate framed above my desk with my college diploma and other stuff. For the few parents who know what it is, maybe it helps?</p>
<p>Of course it’s worth it. And it would be worth it if they charged a fee every year. Since when are organizations rendered illegitimate merely because they charge a fee (even an annual fee)? Over the years either my employer or myself has paid for my membership in IEEE, ASME, and various other professional organizations. These organizations charge annual fees but few people would claim they were worthless to join, at least not for everyone. Certainly they are only of marginal benefit to some indivduals, but that has nothing to do with how much they charge to join.</p>
<p>As part of my job I frequently testify in proceedings and depositions. One of the first questions out of the opposing attorney’s mouth is what orgainzations I belong to. Granted, it’s a dumb question, but I’m glad I generally have at least one to list. </p>
<p>Sure some organizations and honor societies are worthless but they should be evaluated based on other criteria than whether or not they charge a fee. Most things of value do cost something.</p>
<p>You’re fine, dragonmom. Ann Landers wrote a lot of things that need not be taken overly seriously. In all likelihood, the people who might think it was snobbish to display the key won’t recognize what it is anyway. (Uh oh, now I’m edging over into snobbishness . . . )</p>
<p>I never bought the key, can’t remember whether it was because I thought I’d never wear it, didn’t want to spend the $$ or whether it was just one of those counter-culture behaviors a lot of my set was into in those days.</p>
<p>Years later, I mean a <em>lot</em> of years later (I was well over 40, probably over 50), I decided it might be nice to have and ordered it. At this moment, I have no idea where it is (maybe I’ll go check my jewelry box).</p>
<p>But the Phi Beta Kappa designation is always on my resume. Always was, always will be.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Laflum84! Yes, PBK is big deal and is the real deal.
Parents, you probably will have to purchase the key for your clueless inductee, but that child will be be quietly proud in later life to have been recognized for intellectual attainment in the humanities-- and to know that there are fellow travelers. :)</p>
He’s a senior. I told him the second it becomes official it needs to go on his resume - right next to his GPA.</p>