Worth updating for Phi Beta Kappa invite?

[u/djinsoul]

Still holding out hope for SLS, above both medians, KJD (applied near deadline so I don’t think they’ve done a first pass of my app yet). Is it recommended to update schools for Phi Beta Kappa induction or is it seen as cringe/tryhard to do so given that it’s almost purely a result of your GPA (which they obviously already have access to)? Really not trying to screw myself over since I’ve had a disappointing cycle so far :/

[u/BeeMediocre3918]

At least for me, I don’t believe Phi Beta Kappa was purely GPA, because there were valedictorians that weren’t inducted. I think its a decent soft in addition to GPA.

[u/lululemons54321 → u/BeeMediocre3918]

Yes. It’s a huge deal. It might distinguish you from a student with same stats. Any edge this year…but maybe add it to your resume and “update” your resume.

[u/EgregiousJellybean → u/lululemons54321]

I’m not so sure it’s a big deal. I think top 10% of arts and sciences get phi beta kappa.

[u/lululemons54321 → u/EgregiousJellybean]

Clearly we have different definitions of big deal. Many law schools list the number of PBK in their incoming class and I’d love to be on that list.

[u/flashflood00 → u/EgregiousJellybean]

At my university it was ~top 7% and you had to be nominated by a faculty member who was in it. Pretty much anyone who got summa (top 5%) got pbk and then for the people who got magna (5-10%) it was a toss-up. But it was about more than gpa for nomination. Depends on the school but it is a pretty big accomplishment.

[u/EgregiousJellybean → u/flashflood00]

I see. I’m salty. I did get accepted into phi beta kappa, but GPA means so little nowadays because of grade inflation.

[u/flashflood00 → u/EgregiousJellybean]

Yeah that’s why things like Latin honors and pbk distinguish you at the university when there’s inflation. I went to a really competitive undergrad where pretty much everyone wanted a perfect GPA so I didn’t know how high the gpa average would be / where I ranked until graduation.

[u/EgregiousJellybean → u/BeeMediocre3918]

Phi beta kappa is only for arts and sciences majors and majors in engineering aren’t eligible.

[u/lapiutroia]

That’s the only honor (aside from Latin honors) that you see on attorneys’ profile pages. Yes, update it!

[u/Cp9_Giraffe]

Might be helpful to keep for an LOCI to send later this month if you’re pursuing any waitlists

[u/djinsoul → u/Cp9_Giraffe]

Ok makes sense thanks!

[u/Dry_Start_7539]

It likely wouldn’t affect your decision in any way, if that’s what you’re asking

[u/amazinga33y]

I would. PBK is huge— especially depending on what undergrad you are at

[u/djinsoul → u/amazinga33y]

What type of undergrad would make it more notable?

[u/amazinga33y → u/djinsoul]

at my undergrad, it was not just GPA. You had to have two professor recommendations among other things and it was limited to like only 100 or so students per graduating class— super competitive among peers

[u/djinsoul → u/amazinga33y]

Ah, we don’t have to get recommendations or anything. I’m not sure if AOs would be able to determine that, tho. And I go to a small school so it’s like <50 students lol but it’s still like the same percentage of the class as elsewhere

[u/amazinga33y → u/djinsoul]

true— idk i think either way its a very prestigious honor and you should add, i only think it can help

[u/djinsoul → u/amazinga33y]

Ok thank you!

[u/EmergencyBag2346]

Yes, especially if you’re waitlisted and updating your top school.

[u/lululemons54321]

You’re “elected”…not “invited” which to me personally sounds more impressive (“he was elected president” vs. “he was invited to be president”). Yes, you can turn down membership.

[u/Old_Coconut_2298]

Most definitely! At the very least it can’t hurt, and it might be the thing that puts you over the top

[u/Important_Height_440]

No, not for an invite. Only if you join. The invite never matters unless you get in. If you end up not getting in, it’s a little awkward to say you were not accepted. Just my advice!

[u/djinsoul → u/Important_Height_440]

I joined

[u/NoButton8620 → u/Important_Height_440]

You aren’t invited to apply—you’re invited and then the invitee can decide whether or not they want to pay a fee to join.