The Prestigious California Xi Chapter
of Tau Beta Pi.

Basic Requirements for Membership:

  • You must be in the top eighth (1/8) of your Junior class, or the top fifth (1/5) of your Senior class. If your name is listed on the eligibility sheets posted in the engineering building, we are under the impression that you already meet this requirement.
  • You must exhibit exemplary character. This will be determined by the chapter throughout the semester.

Additional requirements to become a member of Tau Beta Pi:

  • You must attend all of the required events: interviews, bent polishing, initiation.
  • You must attend at least four (4) additional events prior to initiation.
  • You must perform at least four (4) hours of community service. (see the form at the bottom of this page)
  • You must pay a one-time initiation fee of $110. This includes fees to headquarters, certificate, an engraved pin, 6 inch mini-bent, a four year subscription to "The Bent", a subscription to "The Bulletin", and various meeting and activity expenses.

What to bring to the interview:

  1. An up-to-date resume, this will be provided to companies who approach our Chapter. It should not be TBP specific, and you can update this resume later as it changes.
  2. An unofficial copy of your transcripts
  3. A 'cover letter' to your resume; while your resume is not TBP specific, your cover letter should be. We're not asking you to write a huge essay, but it should cover the following:
    • Why do you want to be in Tau Beta Pi?
    • What can you offer Tau Beta Pi?
    • Something you find interesting.
  4. You should know the answers to the following questions:
    • Where, when, why, and by whom was Tau Beta Pi founded?
    • Who was the first member?
    • Approximately how many chapters are there?
    • How many cities have alumnus chapters?
    • What is the symbol of Tau Beta Pi?
    • What is the name of the chapter at SDSU?
    • When was our chapter founded?
    • What number is it?
  5. Your initiation fee of $110 in the form of a check or cashiers check made payable to "Tau Beta Pi".

Community Service

In order to keep track of your community service hours, we are providing you with the following forms. Feel free to create your own, as long as it contains the same information.

Please have this completed and returned to us by November 15th (that's the day of bent polishing).