Honors Societies- significant or just there fill up space on your resume?

[Zakaqel]

I’ve received a couple of invitations to join honors societies and I was wondering if it is really worth it. The application fee is like $75 and I don’t want to give them free money. Is being in an honors society really that significant?

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[searun]

It depends upon the honor society. If it is Phi Beta Kappa, then join it. Phi Beta Kappa is well respected in academic circles such as medical schools.

 

[8744]

I’ve received a couple of invitations to join honors societies and I was wondering if it is really worth it. The application fee is like $75 and I don’t want to give them free money. Is being in an honors society really that significant?

Just say you belong and save the money. Save the invitation and if the admission office finds out that you don't really belong, say, "Yeah, I'm smart enough to be invited to join but too smart to send some collection of pinheads like Phi Beta Kappa my hard-earned money when I can just buy the pin on eBay for a couple of bucks.

I listed a whole bunch of honor societies, some that I outright made up. What are they going to do now? Revoke my medical degree.

You just have to be smart...and cunning.

 

[civilleader]

Just say you belong and save the money. Save the invitation and if the admission office finds out that you don't really belong, say, "Yeah, I'm smart enough to be invited to join but too smart to send some collection of pinheads like Phi Beta Kappa my hard-earned money when I can just buy the pin on eBay for a couple of bucks.

I listed a whole bunch of honor societies, some that I outright made up. What are they going to do now? Revoke my medical degree.

You just have to be smart...and cunning.

I am sure that violates some regulations....you have guts.

 

[pride4jc727]

The one and only original academic national honor society that started them all was Phi Beta Kappa, at the College of William and Mary.

 

[Zakaqel]

The one and only original academic national honor society that started them all was Phi Beta Kappa, at the College of William and Mary.

What would you consider something like The National Society of Collegiate Scholars?

 

[pride4jc727]

What would you consider something like The National Society of Collegiate Scholars?

It is one of many offsprings of Phi Beta Kappa. I would consider it one of many national honor societies descended from the oldest, original, and most prestigious academic honor society an undergraduate can be inducted. PBK is as old as our country; NSCS has only been around for 14 years. I'm not trying to say that it is not a noteworthy achievement because I believe it is; however, I would not put it in the same class as PBK.

 

[Jolie South]

This is my personal take, but I think that what you did to get invited is way more important than getting the actual invite.

If you have the GPA, service, ECs, or whatever, that's what's going to be impressive.

 

[taponthecloud]

simply write a letter to the secretary of your school's PBK chapter and ask for a fee exemption, citing economic hardship. it works.

 

[se2131]

For the engineers out there: TBP (Tau Beta Pi) is the equivalent to PBK in terms of prestige. But engineering majors can only qualify for TBP and not for PBK.

That being said, I still think they're silly (if you're doing it purely for med school applications that is. I can see how they'd be useful for connections if you go into a career out of undergrad). If membership into either society is based solely on GPA (which it often is), then shouldn't your GPA speak for itself usually? I'd rather save my money (and did).

 

[HerrTex]

I don't know if any other universities do this but our alumni association paid for the PBK membership dues so that was cool

 

[Cegar]

Don't kid yourself.

They are space fillers.

 

[dArroway]

Just say you belong and save the money. Save the invitation and if the admission office finds out that you don't really belong, say, "Yeah, I'm smart enough to be invited to join but too smart to send some collection of pinheads like Phi Beta Kappa my hard-earned money when I can just buy the pin on eBay for a couple of bucks.

I listed a whole bunch of honor societies, some that I outright made up. What are they going to do now? Revoke my medical degree.

You just have to be smart...and cunning.

o rly?

ban

 

[Wylde]

This is my personal take, but I think that what you did to get invited is way more important than getting the actual invite.

If you have the GPA, service, ECs, or whatever, that's what's going to be impressive.

QFT, great point

 

[ChubbyChaser]

o rly?

ban

haha doubtful, hes been here since the beginning.

 

[172858]

total waste of time. no question.

 

[TheRealMD]

Honors society = space filling. You don't think the other 17,000 who get into med school have gotten some kind of similar honors too?

Pre-med clubs also fall along similar lines. Such a club should not be an end in and of itself. I used it as a stepping stone to get in touch with physicians I could shadow. Stuff like that is ok. But when you see people joining 10 different clubs and they can't really tell you what they did in them? I call BS! Only mention what is meaningful.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

All 15 of my ECS will be honor socities... They are of utmost importance

 

[iatrogenic7]

I’ve received a couple of invitations to join honors societies and I was wondering if it is really worth it. The application fee is like $75 and I don’t want to give them free money. Is being in an honors society really that significant?

No. You could let your GPA speak for itself. A few schools (ie. Columbia, Hopkins) do ask about honor societies/awards, but it is by no means a requirement.

 

[greg1184]

PBK seems like a great honor society to join, at least according to the people who actually count (e.g. faculty, etc).

 

[searun]

Honors society = space filling. You don't think the other 17,000 who get into med school have gotten some kind of similar honors too?

Pre-med clubs also fall along similar lines. Such a club should not be an end in and of itself. I used it as a stepping stone to get in touch with physicians I could shadow. Stuff like that is ok. But when you see people joining 10 different clubs and they can't really tell you what they did in them? I call BS! Only mention what is meaningful.

If you want to go to medical school in Texas, then I agree, it does not matter. An applicant would be better off mentioning his membership in the National Rifle Association and discussing his gun collection in the EC section.

However, if you do not want to go to medical school in Texas, then Phi Beta Kappa membership has value. Yes, certain well regarded schools in the Northeast specifically inquire about academic honors such as Phi Beta Kappa.

 

[chudog15]

useless. its like any other club. being a member and not an officer says nothing about the commitment or participation you've devoted to the organization.

 

[8744]

o rly?

ban

LOL

nt lkly

 

[iA-MD2013]

LOL

nt lkly

hahaha!

 

[searun]

At my college, the Phi Beta Kappa induction ceremony was during commencement festivities. There was a very nice brunch the morning before commencement with the students and their parents. Faculty spoke, and the students were recognized individually, and it was a big deal to the parents.

My father got tears in his eyes and choked up, and he also paid the $75, and the cost of the brunch. All I had to do was walk up and get my PBK certificate, and if it meant so much to him, and all I had to do was eat breakfast and then put it on my med school application, who am I to complain. My father does not cry that often. So it was worth it to me.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Just say you belong and save the money. Save the invitation and if the admission office finds out that you don't really belong, say, "Yeah, I'm smart enough to be invited to join but too smart to send some collection of pinheads like Phi Beta Kappa my hard-earned money when I can just buy the pin on eBay for a couple of bucks.

I listed a whole bunch of honor societies, some that I outright made up. What are they going to do now? Revoke my medical degree.

You just have to be smart...and cunning.

You remind me so much of myself.

 

[searun]

Just say you belong and save the money. Save the invitation and if the admission office finds out that you don't really belong, say, "Yeah, I'm smart enough to be invited to join but too smart to send some collection of pinheads like Phi Beta Kappa my hard-earned money when I can just buy the pin on eBay for a couple of bucks.

I listed a whole bunch of honor societies, some that I outright made up. What are they going to do now? Revoke my medical degree.

You just have to be smart...and cunning.

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Sure, yes, you have been to war, and you are a cynic. We get it. Oh, and you are a resident and you are a cynic. Very impressive, being a cynic. So say something cynical so we can all be impressed by how cynical you are.

And tell me that one again about the 92 year old lady. And how cynical that made you. Wait, let me read your clever fake personal statement again so we can see how clever and how cynical you are. Please.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Sure, yes, you have been to war, and you are a cynic. We get it. Oh, and you are a resident and you are a cynic. Very impressive, being a cynic. So say something cynical so we can all be impressed by how cynical you are.

And tell me that one again about the 92 year old lady. And how cynical that made you. Wait, let me read your clever fake personal statement again so we can see how clever and how cynical you are. Please.

searun, i think i love you. 😍

 

[taponthecloud]

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Dad?!

 

[se2131]

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Sure, yes, you have been to war, and you are a cynic. We get it. Oh, and you are a resident and you are a cynic. Very impressive, being a cynic. So say something cynical so we can all be impressed by how cynical you are.

And tell me that one again about the 92 year old lady. And how cynical that made you. Wait, let me read your clever fake personal statement again so we can see how clever and how cynical you are. Please.

Not everybody's parents tear up at the PBK ceremony. For some ppl, it is bullsh*t. He's allowed to be cynical about honor societies. The PBK ceremony clearly meant a lot to your father, so I doubt that PandaBear would say that it's totally worthless for you to join.

For some parents, their kid graduating from the 5th grade is a big deal. Obviously I'm not trying to equate that w/ PBK, but you see there has to be some point where a ceremony is basically BS for most ppl.

For me, for example, NHS is TOTAL BS. But it has different significance for each person.

 

[Cegar]

NIH is TOTAL BS.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

NIH is TOTAL BS.

national institutes of health?

 

[dArroway]

LOL

nt lkly

LOL

oopz

 

[TheRealMD]

NIH is TOTAL BS.

Pretty sure you meant to say "NHS".

 

[8744]

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Sure, yes, you have been to war, and you are a cynic. We get it. Oh, and you are a resident and you are a cynic. Very impressive, being a cynic. So say something cynical so we can all be impressed by how cynical you are.

And tell me that one again about the 92 year old lady. And how cynical that made you. Wait, let me read your clever fake personal statement again so we can see how clever and how cynical you are. Please.

Dude, PBK is total bull****, just like Mensa. You're smart, we get it, but most people don't know or care. They are both money-making scams. As for sports, well, my youngest daughter and my wife are saber fencers and if they win something that's a big deal.

As for being cynical, that's should be, and used to be too, the default position of everyone who claimed to be educated. In fact, cynicism, or a recognition of the way things really are as opposed to how you want them to be, is the only way to go. I am reasonably certain that you style yourself a cynic about many things, it's just that academia and the prestige of your particular university are your personal shibboleths against which you will suffer no insult.

Medical school admissions is stupid, by the way. You think that the schools are selecting for idealism and the usual tripe but in the end, while everyone is not in it only for the money, if the money wasn't good most of us would drop this mother****er like a hot potato. Consider me and the other residents who post on SDN, the ones who are not blowing cotton candy up your *** I mean, as "eyes on the ground," forward observers giving you some G2 as to the lay of the land.

 

[suwaifo]

As I recall from your previous posts, you are a parent. When you daughter or son gets inducted into PBK, make sure that you tell your kids that it is bullsh*t, and don't show up for the induction ceremony. Oh, and don't show up for commencement when they graduate from college because that is bullsh*t too.

And don't show up when they get inducted into the National Honor Society in high school, and don't show up when your son or daughter makes all league in some sport because it is all bullsh*t, and they can lie about it anyway on their college applications.

Sure, yes, you have been to war, and you are a cynic. We get it. Oh, and you are a resident and you are a cynic. Very impressive, being a cynic. So say something cynical so we can all be impressed by how cynical you are.

And tell me that one again about the 92 year old lady. And how cynical that made you. Wait, let me read your clever fake personal statement again so we can see how clever and how cynical you are. Please.

Personal attacks much? Hahaha you think that not showing up is supposed to be a bad thing or something? If I were a parent, I would tell them to feel lucky that they have parents while they grow up. It's obvious that some people here have been spoiled to the point that they don't even realize that having parents is a blessing.

Anyone that goes to "their daughter's honors ceremony" just because it is an honors society obviously doesn't care much about their daughter. Someone who really cared would just be there for his or her daughter, whatever the occasion may be. Oh, and graduation is BS too. All this fancy fluff in college is just so people can cover up the fact that they're sacrificing years just of their lives just because of the system's mechanics.

 

[Mx300]

I dont mean to highjack the thread but if someone was in Phi theta kappa at a community college while in high school would they still be able to join Phi Beta Kappa at a university? I thought it would be better to ask the question here rather then start a whole new thread..

 

[greg1184]

This board really is something else.

 

[Character]

IT DEPENDS really, im in Skull and Bones and thats all we talked about during my interviews. It was the sole reason i received so many in the first place.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

lol @ the OP being banned.