| Founded in 1776, Phi Beta
Kappa is the nation's oldest honorary society with chapters at 255 of
the foremost institutions of higher education across the country. Phi
Beta Kappa recognizes and encourages a commitment to excellence in the
liberal arts and sciences. Since its founding in 1968, the Lambda Chpater
at UC Santa Barbara has initiated 2,008 new members. It is designated
the Lambda Chapter of California because it was the eleventh chapter established
in California. (Lambda is the eleventh letter of the ancient Greek alphabet). |
| Members are elected by the
Lambda Chapter from candiates for degrees in the liberal arts and sciences,
usually in the top ten percent of the graduating class. The Selection
Committee (comprised of 6-8 Phi Beta Kappa faculty members from different
fields) evaluates the transcripts of all students who meet the minimum
GPA and foreign language requirements, as identified by a computer search
of hundreds of transcripts as well as others brought to our attention
by members of the faculty and undergraduate advising staff. Membership
in Phi Beta Kappa is by invitation only, one cannot "apply."
However, students are encouraged to speak to one of the officers if they
have questions about how their academic program might meet the requirements. |
| The minimum requirement for
GPA is 3.75 for juniors and 3.40 for seniors. Each senior candidate must
have completed 60 units of work at UCSB (each Junior, 120 units). Candidates
must have completed four quarters of a single foreign language (equivalent
to the intermediate college level). Please see criteria for more details
about these and other requirements. Election to Phi Beta Kappa requires
that the candidate have demonstrated evidence of genuine intellectual
curiosity beyond the minimum criteria for consideration. |
