Candidate FAQ

Questions

Answers

Q. How do I join Tau Beta Pi?
A. If you are academically eligible, you should receive a letter and email within the first month of the semester. To be eligible you must meet the GPA and classification requirements listed on the How to Join page.

For those who are academically eligible, please also review our schedule to find important information sessions and meetings.

Q. What's the difference between a candidate and an electee?
A. A candidate is a student academically eligible to join Tau Beta Pi. This means he or she has met the current semester's GPA requirement for his or her classification (junior, senior, or graduate student). After a candidate has been elected by the active membership of the chapter, he or she is considered an electee. For more information about Election, visit the Election Process portion of the Candidate Info page.

Q. What do I do if I can't make a meeting?
A. Attendance at meetings is required, but we do allow you to miss one meeting without penalty. If you miss more than one meeting, you must complete two make-up service hours.

You can find a list of our meeting times and locations on the Master List of Dates page. Contact the VPs of Electees if you have major conflicts.

Q. How can I make-up initiation?
A. Initiation is mandatory for TBP membership. If you are unable to make it to Initiation, but have fulfilled all other requirements, you may be initiated the following semester or by a neighboring chapter. Please let us know ASAP if you cannot attend our initiation ceremony so we can make other arrangements.

Q. Can I get a refund of my dues?
A. We suggest not paying dues until after election (Meeting 3), since there is a possibility you may not be elected. We will not return your check if you are not elected. Dues go toward paying for various service projects and socials that we have during the semester.

Q. What is election?
A. Election is where the active members of the Chapter decide if you've demonstrated the character required to be a member of Tau Beta Pi. Each candidate must receive a three-fourths "Elect" vote to become an electee.

Q. How do I know when events are?
A. Our larger events have their own pages linked off the "Events" menu, and all events will be posted on the Schedule.

Q. What in the world is a bent!?!?
A. The bent is the official badge of Tau Beta Pi. As a part of the electee process, you are given the opportunity to polish one if you choose. Vist the Bent Polishing page for instructions on how to polish it.

Q. How should I prepare for the interview?
A. Before your interview, you must fill out the application and the interview form. The in-person portion of the interview is casual and non-technical, and you do not need to prepare.

Q. What's the benefit of being a distinguished electee?
A. Only distinguished electees are eligible to be the Best Electee chosen at the end of the semester.

To earn the distinction of distinguished electee, you must do the following:
  • Attend at least one Engineering Futures session
  • Complete three additional service hours
  • Attend any additional social
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