<p>I was cleaning my room and I found a flier for the Phi Theta Kappa thing for my school... I was wondering if joining would be beneficial. I was hoping it might act as an honor society/TAP sort of thing if I joined, since my CC doesn't seem to have an agreement with either of the schools I want to go to.</p>
<p>Opinions? Is anyone in Phi Theta Kappa?</p>
<p>< -- in Phi Theta Kappa</p>
<p>a councilor told me that if you're an engineering major, nobody cares what clubs you're in.</p>
<p>from what i have heard it looks good on applications and you get scholarships...im also thinking about joining this semester</p>
<p>I joined because it looks good on your apps, and its only 80$ to join.</p>
<p>Phi Theta Kappa is very important for CC students...</p>
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Phi Theta Kappa is very important for CC students...
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<p>I don't think its that important because every one that gets a 3.5 or higher is automatically in if they pay the $70. Its redundant because you need a 3.5+ just to make it in anyways. If you become an officer and participate in activities, then thats a different story. But membership means nothing.</p>
<p>I would join Alpha Gamma Sigma over Phi Theta Kappa any day of the week j/k. Being in PTK in no way can hurt you so I would join it. How important it is in your application? Probably not a whole lot but it does show that you are a little bit involved in EC's. PTK will not act as a TAP program, and I really do not know much about PTK since we do not have one at our campus but if you have an honors society on your campus such as Alpha Gamma Sigma you should join.</p>
<p>"Phi Theta Kappa membership guarantees you access to more benefits than any other student organization, and is the only honor society recognized by the American Association of Community College Presidents. As a member of Phi Theta Kappa, your academic excellence will be recognized with the Golden Key Membership Pin, membership certificate and identification card, notation of membership on your diploma and transcript; and you will have the privilege of distinguishing yourself by wearing the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Stole at graduation.
"Membership provides exclusive access to The Phi Theta Kappa Network (<a href="http://www.ptk.org)%5B/url%5D">www.ptk.org)</a>, a compilation of innovative and interactive benefits that will take you where you want to go, in college and in life. Highlights of The Phi Theta Kappa Network include other e-Scholarship Directory -information listings on $34 million in university transfer scholarships reserved exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members
* other scholarships, such as the Academic All America and Guistewhite Scholarships
* ScholarshipTRAK, a scholarship search engine with a database of over 8,000 funding sources; JOBTRAK, a job listing site offering more than 300,000 listings of entry-level jobs, internships and full and part-time positions.
* Membership in Phi Theta Kappa also provides key competitive advantages for scholarship opportunities and job placement.
* Members are eligible to attend various scholarship and leadership conferences."</p>
<p>^ that's what my CCC's PTK advisor emails to prospective members</p>
<p>AGS is the statewide California community college honors society.</p>
<p>Hello I just wanted to make a point that Phi Theta Kappa could just as well be the deciding factor on whether you get into your top choice school or not. I am a Phi Theta Kappa officer and it has made such a tremendous difference in my college experience that I can't even stress it enough. Being in Phi Theta Kappa really opens doors for you. I found a job related to my major on campus because of being in PTK and having the hardworking reputation. My personal statements were based on my experience with PTK. You meet awesome people...the nerd stereotype should be thrown out the window here b/c that's definitely not the case :] You meet people like yourself who care about transferring to a good school and can balance their academics with their social lives. Your professors will have a better opinion of you knowing that you are in this organization.</p>
<p>Also to clarify, Alpha Gamma Sigma is the statewide Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society---being acclaimed all over the US and out. Plus, maybe it's just w/ my school, but AGS doesn't do ANYTHING. PTK has monthly meetings, events, fundraisers, etc. </p>
<p>Good luck! If you have any questions let me know. It's really worth everything to join Phi Theta Kappa!</p>
<p>Our AGS is very active on our campus and by AGS bylaws you have to meet twice a month and meet a minimum 10 hour volunteer service each semester. Also AGS on our campus is involved nearly every campus activity I believe at least on our campus AGS is much more involving than PTK and and is has a little more impact on the application then PTK in California.</p>
<p>My eldest S was PTK and it certainly made a difference for him. Besides the doors it has opened, there was some $$$ available to him as well.</p>
<p>Hello,
I would strongly recommend joining PTK if you are a good student and are planning on transferring to a four year institution which is within the statewide transfer program. I am a permanent resident, graduated from Raritan Valley Community College in 2010, had 4.0 GPA, was inducted into PTK honors society in 2009, was NOT an officer or even an active member, and got a $16,000 TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP to finish my education at RUTGERS! If not for this scholarship, I would not have been able to go to a 4-year university. I had to work hard at my CC, attend the meetings, apply to the scholarship, submit an essay, and I also had an excellent resume, but I was one in 25 students transferring to Rutgers that semester who got that amazing scholarship. It does not fully cover tuition, but with $4,000 per semester and with financial aid, I only end up paying for textbooks, parking, an such. I am eternally grateful to people who helped me to make up my mind about joining PTK. It costs money and it takes time and energy to be a member, but it is so worth it!</p>
<p>Leadership in PTK/AGS can be very helpful. On my campus, leadership in AGS is a stepping stone into other leadership opportunities. Many President/VP’s of the student government for the last few years were officers in AGS some time before that.</p>
<p>PTK/AGS offer some valuable experiences as well. AGS has conferences, one of which I went to last year and was able to talk directly to a UC Berkeley admissions committee member about personal statements. PTK facilitates a national award program as well as the All-USA (USA Today/Coca-Cola) and All-California (CC-League) awards. It also puts you into contact with a lot of people who are aiming for the higher tiers, which can be stimulating and motivating.</p>
<p>That said, it won’t be nearly as helpful as TAP. If you don’t have any other EC/Awards, however, it can help fill some spaces.</p>
<p>Attack of the Zombie Thread!</p>
<p>PTK opens a variety of doors. You provide fellowship and leadership to your fellow students. You are recognized for your hard work. You have competitive edge on ptk.org to enhance your business and professional skills. You work to not only better yourself but your school and your community. You help to merge your college into the community and pay the community back for its support of the college. It is a sense of belonging in a world that can be confusing and floundering. Yes you have to pay dues but that’s 1 time only and that’s your chapter, region, national and international dues all in one. It looks fantastic on your resumes and scholarship applications. You have more doors open to you in regards to scholarships. </p>
<p>Yes you automatically get in if you have a 3.5 GPA and your dues. Your initiation is the dedication to keep your GPA above 3.5. </p>
<p>PTK isn’t a “club”. It is an international honor society. You get to know powerful advisors that can write you amazing recommendations. You get noted for your reputation and let’s face it a good majority of CC students are adults that have families and full time jobs. Your hard work is your reputation. It is hard enough to maintain a high GPA but to maintain that GPA with a full time job and a family…wow. PTK opens the curtains to let that WOW shine through to the right people. </p>
<p>I have to say go for it. If you find (somehow) no benefit of membership, the most you are out are you dues. However, I find it hard to believe that you will not find any benefit at all.</p>
<p>Since this thread has been resurrected, I’ll chime in. ALWAYS be wary when the biggest supporters of a club/society, etc. posting on here have no previous posts to their names. It’s usually a person from the aforementioned organization trying to spark interest in it. Ahem, DMarina and CK9779.</p>
<p>We had the same tactic used by the National Dean’s List a few years ago, and try to find them now… (gone).</p>
<p>With that said, there isn’t a real reason NOT to join PTK (as long as you want to go for a leadership position, or if your local chapter is involved - mine was not). It is one of the older honors societies (at least at the 2-year level). The biggest thing about being in the society is that your GPA is above a 3.5. That alone will make a big difference, not the notation on your transcripts that you were a PTK member. Plus, you get a nifty certificate and can wear the special cord/tassel at graduation. BTW, I was/am a member.</p>