The most explicit requirement for membership is distinguished scholarship; however, high grades alone are not enough. We also expect our initiates to have exceptional character and we host events that are designed to help foster this. Initiation and membership in Tau Beta Pi are evidence of personal integrity, a wide range of interests, adaptability, and unselfish participation in community and volunteer activities.
Below is a summary of the requirements that are also stated in detail in the Spring 2025 Initiate Handbook.
Undergraduate Initiate Requirements (Spring 2025)
In order to be invited to join TBP, an engineer must be in the top 1/8 of the Junior class or the top 1/5 of the Senior class (this is determined by credit hours).
Initiate Social
The Initiate Social will be in person on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 2-3pm in the Illini Union Rec Room. You will meet your fellow initiates and the officer board while bowling, playing pool, and enjoying board games. Attendance is mandatory. Email Megan Harrison (mmh@illinois.edu) if you cannot attend.
Informal Interview
You will be asked to have an interview with our current members. The purpose of the interview is not to judge your eligibility to be inducted into Tau Beta Pi, but to allow our current members and officers to know you better. It will last for 30 minutes and take place in person in our office (Engineering Hall Room 101) along with up to two other initiates. Interviews will be scheduled for weeknights, February 3rd to February 14th. Add your name to this spreadsheet to sign up for an interview session.
Initiation Fee
There is an initiation fee of $100 that must be turned in by Saturday March 1st, 2025. This can be submitted through the TBP store. After paying, make sure to upload proof of your payment through this google form! See the Initiate Handbook linked above for a breakdown of the fee.
Point Requirement for Attending Events
You will need to earn a total of 6 points to initiate. You must earn at least 1 point from each category: social, professional, and service. Check the newsletter and calendar for opportunities to earn points. Refer to the Point Tracking Sheet to check the number of points you have earned.
Bent Polishing
Bent Polishing has been a part of our chapter initiation for many years. It is one of the best parts of the initiation process; it is the first place you really get to know other initiates and officers while taking pride in your election. You must attend a bent polishing session scheduled for weeknights from February 17th to February 28th. Fill out this spreadsheet to sign up for a two-hour session.
Committee Participation (Undergraduates only)
The primary goal of each committee is to provide a common task that members and initiates can work together to achieve. Each initiate will be assigned a committee based on their response filled out at the info session. Initiates are required to attend all 4 meetings for their committee. Detailed information on committees, including meeting dates, can be found in the Spring 2025 Committee Info document.
Resume
As we are a professional organization, we receive many requests for the resumes of our members. Your resume must be submitted using this form by Saturday, March 1st, 2025.
Initiation Ceremony
The ceremony will be on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 10am at Siebel Center for CS Room 1404. You MUST attend the ceremony to initiate.
Graduate Initiate Requirements (Spring 2025)
In order to join, you must have been enrolled for one semester with a GPA of 3.75 or higher and completed 50% of the coursework and research by the time you submit your application (determined by the primary academic advisor).
Initiation Fee
There is an initiation fee of $100 that must be turned in by Saturday, March 1st, 2025. This can be submitted through the TBP store. Make sure to take a screenshot of the payment and email it to Wei Wu (weiwu6@illinois.edu). See the Initiate Handbook linked above for a breakdown of the fee.
Point Requirement for Attending Events
You will need to earn a total of 3 points to initiate. 2 points can come from any category (social, professional, or service), and 1 point must come from a service or professional event. Check the newsletter or calendar for opportunities to earn points and the Graduate tab of the Point Tracking Sheet to check how many points you have.
Recommendation Letter
All graduate initiates must submit a one-page letter of recommendation from their primary academic advisor. The letter must explicitly include confirmation of 50% degree completion and GPA > 3.75 in addition to recommending you to the society. Submit your recommendation letter on this form by Saturday, March 1st, 2025.
Report of Eligibility
The Report of Eligibility must be submitted on this form by Saturday, March 1st, 2025. See the Initiate Handbook linked above for more information. The same form is used to submit both the recommendation letter and the report of eligibility.
Initiation Ceremony
The ceremony will be on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 10 am at Siebel Center for CS Room 1404. You MUST attend the ceremony to initiate.