Phi Beta Kappa....Magna Cum Laude, Signa Cum Laude...ect. (HUH?)

[Maine Mary]

Since I've already pestered everyone about Fraternities and Sororities
I've moved on...

What do the subject line words really mean? Sorry. I know this is annoying, but I've wondered about it for 20+ years.

#1 How many of such titles exist?
#2 Is there some sort of heirachy? For ex. you always hear about Magna Cum Laude grads....
#3 Is it (the assumed heirarchy) based on academics or more then that? ie. social prowess or pysical ability...?

But getting back to the 20 year thing... my sister graduated from Wellesley College w/the 4rth highest GPA. I was only a freshman in HS so forgive me when I admit that I was most impressed with her Phi Beta Kappa title but didn't then, and don't know now whatever significance it had...if any.

I just thought it sounde "cool" :eyes: (hey i was a kid!!! geesh! :-) )

[LosinIt]

1. Phi Beta Kappa is a national collegiate Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa is a national 2 yr college honor society

Summa Cum Laude - With highest Honors
Magna Cum Laude - with high honors
Cum Laude - with honors

they vary by GPA, which also may vary by college,not sure.


LosinIt
-Magna Cum Laude, SUNY Canton 1976
-Phi Theta Kappa

-Magna Cum Laude, Rochester Institute of Technology 2000

That's how it's usually listed.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Good Description

Just one add: Usually Summa Cum Laude is normally straight A's. (GPA: 4.00) I have never heard of a uni that didn't require that for SCL. (That doesn't mean some don't, just that i haven't heard of one.)

MCL is usually at least a 3.8, which would essenitally be a solid A, where no more than 1/5 of classes would be B's. For most people, that would be, at most, 4 B's and the rest A's. But, that may be more varied by school.

I had MCL's in undergrad, grad chemistry, grad mathematics, and SCL in economics. So, i have a bit of experience in this, but i really don't think any of this means that much in the long run. I can brag about it now, and tick people off, but other than that it's got little value.
The Professor

[TXDemGal]

2. Some notes on the above

Phi Beta Kappa is an honorary society, membership in which is based on academic ranking at an institution of higher learning. It was founded in the mid-1700s at William & Mary, I believe. Membership is limited to "liberal arts" students only. There may be some sort of "good citizen" component given consideration, as well.

Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude designate overall cumulative grade rankings on graduating from an institute of higher learning. I think the Latin translations are "With Highest Honors," "With High Honors," and "With Honors" or something like that.

Anyone else feel free to jump in here and save me.... :shrug:

[LosinIt]

3. your Latin is correct

I took 5 years in high school and it still comes in handy sometimes.

[jdots]

4. Chimp went to Yale

Yumping Yimmony he should be in Yail for a long time.

[hickman1937]

5. Damned if I know.

Sounds like your sister was one of those achievers. My only brush with sororities was when I was a freshman, and my room mate wanted me to pledge hers. I went to the house, drank some punch, ate some popcorm, sang some songs, and bailed. It was the 70's.

[FuzzySlippers]

6. Phi Beta Kappa links

http://www.pbk.org

http://www.wikipedia.org/pbk.htm

[Sgent]

7. Phi Beta Kappa

Also evaluates institutions as well as the individual students. You can be sure that any school with a PBK chapter is considered in the upper percentile of colleges in their education.

PBK was originally a social fraternity formed at Harvard. When Harvard instituted the "no secrets" rules back in the 1800's, PBK decided to become an honors fraternity instead of going underground.

They do accept females now.

There are also a variety of other academic fraternities. Some are also honors like PBK, and others are open to people in specific majors or schools. In comparison to social fraternities, they will have much lower dues and initiation fees.

[Maine Mary]

8. Thanks so much for the info

But how long ago did Harvid do that?

[Sgent]

9. I would have to get out my pledge manual

to find out exactly, but I know that Harvard did the no sercets thing somewhere between the civil war and the turn of the century. All fraternities were required to turn over their initiation manuals and "secrets" to maintain official recongition.

Most fraternities decided to go underground, but some (PBK amongst them) didn't.

[Maine Mary]

10. Oh my ! An intelligent man....

who can keep (or locate) secrets.......... ;-)