From Philomathean Society

Interested in Membership for Fall 2008? Fill out the info form!

Have questions about Philo? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact the First Censor, Nicole Garman, at firstcensor (AT) philomathean.org.

Membership in the Society carries with it 195 years of tradition, bound together by the belief that one's educational experience at Penn does not, and should not, end at the classroom door. It joins together friends who share a deep respect for one another, friends united in a common purpose of scholarship and in the extension of the thoughts that move between them. Membership also confers your right to become more involved in the Society's means and ends, and help shape what Philo is to be.

The Philo membership process is selective but highly democratic. All decisions of membership are reached only after extensive debate and consideration by all members.

There are three steps for applying to membership; they are designed to give the prospective member as much opportunity as possible to express himself or herself. They need not be performed in any particular order:

• Creative Submission: The only limitation or explanation is that it must fit through our door. Poetry, artwork, tapes of music, or photography are common selections, but so are submissions ranging from Spam Bombs to Elvis Shrines to photoessays about manhole covers.
• Presentation: A four to six minute presentation on a topic of the applicant's choice, to be presented at a general meeting of the society, which typically fall on alternating Friday evenings. The applicant should keep in mind that there is only so much information one can present in the limited time frame. Be creative, practice the speech, and be prepared to answer two questions from members of the society.
• Interview: An informal hour long interview with four members of the society. Ideally the interview is a conversation about the prospective's goals, interests, activities, etc. This is the applicant's opportunity to tell us as much or as little as they want about themself.

If you would like to apply to Philo this semester, please contact our First Censor Nicole Garman (firstcensor AT philomathean.org) and fill out the information form.