Members are discussing the benefits of joining Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at community colleges, focusing on GPA requirements, scholarships, transcript notations, and potential advantages in job applications and transfer to four-year programs. Some users have received scholarships and opportunities through PTK, while others question the value of membership and the exclusivity of the organization. Overall, opinions vary on the worthiness of joining PTK and the impact it has on academic and professional opportunities.
I was recently invited to join Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and was wondering if anyone who has experience with this honor society has found it beneficial other than it looking nice on resumes. My thinking is that most nursing students qualify for this honor due to the grades that must be maintained/acquired for nursing school. How would this make someone stand out in the field of nursing if most nursing students probably qualify?
Has anyone found that it helped them get any new-grad positions when they graduated? Did it help with scholarships? Did it look good when you wanted to transfer to a university? Did you find it helpful in terms of networking? Did it apply to any or none of the above?
I was also wondering what the GPA cutoff is? How low can your GPA fall before they kick you out? I could always ask this at the orientation meeting, but that isn't anytime soon.
I had also heard of Sigma Theta Tau (specifically for nurses) and was wondering what one would need to do in order to be invited to join?
My school does not require participation. But if you are not going to take advantage of a club why join it? Does your transcript show a GPA above a 3.5? That's all PTK shows. No matter what anyone says a 3.5 is a 3.5 and having a notation that says that you paid 75 dollars to be recognized will do little to impress the people reading the transcripts. Now if the schools you are applying to offer scholarships only to PTK members it would be worth it.
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.
I joined PTK last year and it has already been worth it to me. I did not get involved in the chapter because I was just too busy and my lack of involvement did not affect my membership or my transcript, at all. On my transcript it says under comments: Phi Theta Kappa Member, Inducted Fall 2009
PTK offers their own scholarships at many 4 year schools if you are a transfer. I have already been awarded a 500 per semester scholarship because of my PTK membership. It will repeat each semester, as long as I keep my GPA above 3.5.
PTK will not help you win OTHER scholarships, however, your GPA will. I was awarded another 1000 per semester scholarship from the University when I transferred because of my GPA, not because of my membership in PTK.
So does anyone have any first hand experience recieveing a PTK scholarship? I know that you have to be a member to recieve these scholarships but has anyone actually gotten one? I'm invited to join each quarter which doesn't surprise me since most pre-nursing students have qualifying GPAs. Also has anyone been told by admissions into a nursing program that being a PTK member made a difference rather than the GPA that was high enough being what mattered. I'm a poor single mom so $75 is a lot for me and my kids to spend on something that *might* be worth it.
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.
So does anyone have any first hand experience recieveing a PTK scholarship? I know that you have to be a member to recieve these scholarships but has anyone actually gotten one? I'm invited to join each quarter which doesn't surprise me since most pre-nursing students have qualifying GPAs. Also has anyone been told by admissions into a nursing program that being a PTK member made a difference rather than the GPA that was high enough being what mattered. I'm a poor single mom so $75 is a lot for me and my kids to spend on something that *might* be worth it.
Thanks for the advice
I have been awarded a 500/semester PTK scholarship to the University I'm transferring into next month. The U itself awarded me another 1000/semester scholarship because of my grades. For both scholarships to renew each subsequent semester, I have to maintain a 3.5 GPA and be a full time student.
My PTK membership will not make a difference in my actual Nursing School application because acceptance is strictly GPA based, but a potential $3000 (6 semesters) just for the PTK scholarship sure makes it worthwhile to me! If you are transferring to a 4yr program, I highly recommend it.
BTW, in my first post on this thread I said that there are two separate pools of money from my school. That was from a different U than I am starting at in January.
I took the opportunity to join PTK at the community college while trying to get into the nursing program, primarily because it would look good on the resume. I graduated with an Associates in Science degree last week and start nursing school in January. By being in PTK, I was chosen, out of almost 500 graduates to be the student speaker at the graduation, representing not only PTK, but the college, as well.
I also have had the chance to be involved in various communtiy service projects, and am looking forward to potential scholarships when I continue on for my BSN!
And like a previous poster said, being in PTK does wonders to make a parent proud!!!
Being in the nursing honor society does not make you better than any other candidate in the application pool...at least that's the case in this area of the US (Texas Medical Center)...it's more about experience such as were you an EMT, paramedic, CNA, extc before you became a nurse...one of my really close friends from nursing school graduated with a 3.94, was also a part of the nursing honor society, and still hasn't landed a job since we graduated back in August of this year (can you even believe that she was rejected from 2 positions!)...it really stinks because she is a really bright and driven individual and I know that if she were given the opporunity she would excel but times are tough
Hi everyone, I joined phi theta kappa at my CC. I already hold a BA. Does anyone know if the scholarships are open to people with a BA? I am looking to do an ABSN program. If the university awards Phi theta kappa members who transfer in with scholarships, will having a BA preclude me from this? I already e-mailed some of the schools I am looking at, but haven't got any replies
I just received a letter from my school with an invitation to join PTK because of my academic performance. My husband thinks I should definitely join and that it will look good to future colleges and employers alike.
I joined my local chapter and it does look good on resumes, etc, because they only take those with a 4.0 GPA, and you have to keep your GPA above 3.5 to stay in. It also offer scholarships, etc. I think it's a good idea.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I joined. It's on my resume. I don't know that it helped, came up, or was even noticed in interviews or with hiring. But it certainly didn't hurt anything, and IIRC, it was a nominal fee, and I got a pretty yellow sash and pin when I graduated. ?
Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
I joined. It shows up on my transcript and I have received some recruitment letters from 4 year schools because of it. It has also given me access to scholarships for when I transfer. I don't know if it will make a big difference but I don't think it hurts to join.
Jackobe24
1 Post
Is it going to show up on my transcript? How much is it going to help me getting other scholarships or transfer?
What do I need to do once I joined? A lot volunteers and group work stuffs?? (Personally not very good at working with other people)
What if I can't attend meetings, is it still gonna show up on my transcript??