Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

You and oldu need to get over yourselves (yourself?)

Excuse me?

Prestigious honor society struggles with lack of name recognition
Students regard Phi Beta Kappa as just another honor society

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (KRT)

ST. LOUIS -- Phi Beta huh?

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious college honor society, just isn't ringing the same old bell with college students.

ETA: and isn't it only on less than 300 campuses?

I bet it's still the oldest and most prestigious to the individuals who are hiring today's top college students.

300 campuses is correct, I would say.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

Excuse me?



I bet it's still the oldest and most prestigious to the individuals who are hiring today's top college students.

300 campuses is correct, I would say.

Isn't Phi Beta Kappa limited to certain majors though? So a business major isn't eligible, even if they have a 4.0 and a bazillion activities. I know at Ohio University, students in the College of Communications weren't eligible for Phi Beta Kappa either (nor were College of Health and Human Services students or College of Education). So I guess what is the best academic honor society depends on what your major is. (but I would agree that Phi Beta Kappa is the best for those that are eligible for it).

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

Isn't Phi Beta Kappa limited to certain majors though? So a business major isn't eligible, even if they have a 4.0 and a bazillion activities. I know at Ohio University, students in the College of Communications weren't eligible for Phi Beta Kappa either (nor were College of Health and Human Services students or College of Education). So I guess what is the best academic honor society depends on what your major is. (but I would agree that Phi Beta Kappa is the best for those that are eligible for it).

I agree. Basic liberal arts undergrad -- it's still the top, I'd say.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

Isn't Phi Beta Kappa limited to certain majors though? So a business major isn't eligible, even if they have a 4.0 and a bazillion activities. I know at Ohio University, students in the College of Communications weren't eligible for Phi Beta Kappa either (nor were College of Health and Human Services students or College of Education). So I guess what is the best academic honor society depends on what your major is. (but I would agree that Phi Beta Kappa is the best for those that are eligible for it).

For what it is worth, I knew a few Communications majors who were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Also a couple of Chemistry (pre-med) and a Business Economics major. I know that both the Chemistry and the Business Economics major were involved within the Fine Arts Department as part of their studies.

From Membership in Phi Beta Kappa.

"To be eligible for election, students must have pursued a broad program of study in the liberal arts and sciences and met other academic criteria as required by the electing chapter."

My guess is that "other academic criteria as required by the electing chapter" (emphasis on the electing/individual/specific chapter) might explain why certain majors at one campus might be elected into Phi Beta Kappa, but not on another campus. Each chapter decides what that "other" criteria might be. And as such, I would guess that the criteria might change as the membership changes.

[PhiMu_Gator]

I just noticed that a lot of the honor societies I was receiving invites from had GPA's of just 3.0's, which I originally thought to be a good GPA, but not honor society material. that's why I was so confused why those even exist and there are TONS! (I definitely recyled a lot THAT day!) I think the saying is true...

there can be too much of a good thing =)