Phi Beta Kappa

Hey Guys--I'm a senior debating whether I should try to graduate phi beta kappa. It requires a course that I absolutely suck at--so I face a bit of a dilemma. I already have an ibanking job, and really just want to chilax my last semester. How is PBK viewed in the finance industry--especially with regard to buyside exits and business school? It is worth the extra work?

12 Comments
 
Best Response

We got into PBK at the beginning of our senior year....I guess they induct more based on the grades of your last semester.

As far as knowledge on the street, I think that is the only honor society in a liberal arts college that is known to most people. Its definitely prestigious. Plus its something that kind of stays with you on your resume for ever....you often hear people say " oh this guy graduated summa cum, phi beta kappa etc...."

I mean since you already have a job, it wont help you right away, but maybe later on? And keep in mind this is not only given for academic excellence, but all round excellence, including toughness of course cirriculum etc...so it says something positive about you and the work you did in college.

I only thank my lucky stars they inducted me before the grades of my senior year...hehe...let's see if I am the first guy to actually get kicked out based on low grades in the last year :-p

 

And you're concerned about PBK? If I were you, I would treat my next few weeks as if I were in a hospice...

Relax man. If you can attain it, great. But if you don't, you've secured an offer and that's all that matters.

Enjoy life now as you know it.

"Cut the burger into thirds, place it on the fries, roll one up homey..." - Epic Meal Time
 

I wouldn't be going all out to pull a 4.0 my last semester, but remember that for MBA admissions your entire undergraduate record is reviewed. It would really suck if you did extremely well and then decided to sit on your ass and do miserably your last semester.

In banking there is no slacking ever, so don't do it even when the opportunity presents itself.

 

Another potential networking opportunity.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Aspernatur voluptate delectus rerum quaerat. Exercitationem rerum est cum quia atque maiores. Recusandae possimus praesentium accusamus quam aliquam quis consequatur aut. Hic nobis quo quo atque voluptatem. Et et quia quia et quo consectetur perspiciatis. Quos corporis voluptatibus non. Eius repudiandae distinctio officia accusamus qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”