 |
 |
|
F.A.Q.
Are all fraternities the same?
NO! According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, there are a
few types of fraternities including:
-Professional: restricted to a field such as medicine, cultivates strengths in
order to serve the community and provide assistance. ex) Phi Chi
-Social or General: known for social gatherings, these are what one
traditionally thinks of in a college fraternity
-Service: primary purpose is community service
-Honor Society: Membership is exclusive and based on past achievements
-Academic
-Research
-Religious
-Cultural
Because Phi Chi is a fraternity, is it
restricted to men only?
NO! This is a common misconception with fraternities.
Fraternities can be male only, female only or mixed-sex organizations while
sororities, a term first used in 1874 at Gamma Phi Beta at Syracuse University,
are restricted to women only. Today, some women's only organizations are
called "women's fraternities." Phi Chi Medical Fraternity is co-ed and has
allowed women to join since the 1973 XL Grand Chapter Convention.
What is a Fraternity?
According to Oxford Dictionary, a fraternity is “a group of
people sharing a common profession or interest.” Early examples include the
Beta Kappa Society, founded in 1776 to be the first Greek letter fraternity, and
Kappa Lambda Society of Aesculapius, the first professional fraternity founded
in 1819. Synonyms of fraternity include: association, club, order and society
What are the costs to join Phi Chi?
There is a one time initiation fee paid to the National
Fraternity of $100. Individual chapters are allowed to set chapter dues
independent of the national fraternity.
Who can join Phi Chi?
Membership consists of Active and Associate types. Active
members can be any student of medicine where there is a chartered chapter.
Associate members are physicians who are doctors of medicine in good standing
with the AMA, BMA or NMA, or members of the allied sciences with a doctor’s
degree other than that of medicine where an active chapter is chartered, who are
members of the medical faculty and not an alumni of other national medical
fraternity.
When I graduate from medical school,
will I still be a member?
YES!
Membership with Phi Chi is lifelong. After graduation, you
are still entitled to the benefits of membership. Some members decide to
join the Alumni Association in their area and if there is not one, you can look
into forming one.
What are the benefits of joining Phi
Chi?
-Networking: With members located
throughout the world in a variety of positions, membership is there to give you
that all important foot in the door for everything from basic sciences and
clinical rotations to residency and beyond
-Housing: Many chapters have a house to provide cheep housing for members while
in medical school. These accommodations can also be available to visiting
members during clinical years and residency interviews
-Loans: The Welfare Association is in charge of all loans provided for students
(Junior and Senior members to help in emergencies up to $2000), chapter houses,
medical libraries and lectureships. Email the Welfare Association if you
have any questions at
-Discounts: Phi Chi can offer a variety of discounts on supplies needed for
school such as books as well as other valuable savings. The list is always
growing
-Leadership opportunities
-Awards for achievement both academically and to the fraternity
-Support System: Phi Chi is there for you from helping with classes to
providing housing to helping you unwind after a stressful day. Members
before you have experienced what you are going through and can help guide you
during your medical journey.
-For a more inclusive list, but certainly not a complete one, check out our
benefits page!
Do I get anything to prove that I am a
Phi Chi member?
All initiated members shall receive a membership card with a
unique membership number as well as a shingle, suitable for display indicating
the date of membership and chapter initiated.
My school does not have a Phi Chi chapter, can I start one?
If you are interested in starting a new Phi Chi chapter or re-activating an existing chapter, please visit out New Chapter page and we will be more than happy to help answer any questions.
If you still have questions please ask here.