The Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa in the State of Tennessee honors scholarly attainments in the liberal arts and sciences and annually elects seniors and juniors from the College of Arts and Science to membership during the spring semester. Seniors who have completed at least 60 semester hours in the College of Arts and Science and earned a grade point average of 3.600 or better are eligible for consideration, as are juniors with a grade point average of 3.850 who have completed at least 70 semester hours at Vanderbilt . Attainment of the minimum average is not a guarantee of election.
Membership is based on broad cultural interests and scholarly achievements.
Grades earned in applied and professional work are not counted in computing the grade point average. Students who go abroad on foreign study programs in their junior year may be considered for election as juniors if they are able to submit an application in a timely manner. In no event may the total number of persons elected from any senior class exceed 10 percent of the class, or from any junior class exceed six persons. The chair of the membership committee will ask the Registrar to prepare a list of juniors and seniors who have the necessary grade point average at the end of the fall term. The chair will write to each such student, including an application form.