If you want to impress your future employers or graduate programs, consider becoming a member of the once-secret society Phi Beta Kappa. Although no longer shrouded in mystery, PBK remains the United States’ oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. It champions education in the arts and sciences, fosters freedom of thought and recognizes academic excellence.
Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have PBK chapters and University of the Pacific is one of them. In 2006, after completing the society’s extensive vetting process which underscored the quality of the university’s programs, Pacific was chosen to host Phi Beta Kappa’s Chi Chapter of California.
“It’s really a mark of distinction for our College of the Pacific, the liberal arts and sciences core of the university,” said Director of General Education Chris Goff, Pacific’s PBK chapter president.
In addition, this year two Pacific professors, Courtney Lehmann and Bill Swagerty, were recognized with Phi Beta Kappa’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Membership in PBK means you are part of an elite organization that includes such famous high achievers as presidents Bill Clinton and Franklin Roosevelt, advocate Helen Keller, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, entrepreneur Jeff Bezos and actor Glenn Close, to name just a few. Seventeen American presidents, 40 Supreme Court justices and over 140 Nobel laureates have been counted among the ranks of Phi Beta Kappa since its inception in 1776.
“I think that being part of such an amazing society will open doors for you,” said history major Sarah Hess ‘21, who was inducted into PBK in May. “It stands out on resumes to employers just because it shows that kind of dedication to your studies and your school, it shows not only academic dedication and excellence but also an interest in a wide range of subjects, which I think is unique.”
How to get into Phi Beta Kappa
While you don’t apply for membership, there are things you can do to become eligible for an invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa.
Here is what you’ll need to be eligible:
- Junior or senior standing
- GPA of at least 3.7 for seniors or 3.9 for juniors
- Pass a college-level pre-calculus course
- Complete four semesters of college-level foreign language or its equivalent
- Fulfill the literature course requirement
Hess believes there’s a huge advantage in starting to think about joining the society as early as your freshman year.
“Map out your four-year plan,” Hess said. “Anybody can really set their mind to it at the beginning and work toward that goal by their junior or senior year. It’s a great opportunity, a really amazing society with a lot of benefits.”
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.
On a lighter note, you will be able to exchange the society’s “secret” handshake with such well-known Pacificans and PBK members as writer Matt de la Pena ’96, lawyer and counsel to tribal governments Little Fawn Boland ’98 or novelist Suzanne Rindell ’03.
If you’re interested in learning more about Phi Beta Kappa, can contact Chi Chapter of California President Chris Goff at cgoff@pacific.edu.
Very interesting. Had no idea that Pacific was a PBK university!
Can you be a part-time student to be considered for Phi Beta Kappa?
Can I be an online student at Northern Arizona University studying Elementary Education and be considered for Phi Beta Kappa?
You’d need to check whether Northern Arizona University has a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and then see if online students with your major are eligible.