What is Phi Delta Epsilon? Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity is an extensive network of premedical and medical students as well as practicing physicians that all have the common goal of providing medical professionals of quality. PhiDE creates physicians of integrity with a life-long commitment through fellowship, service, mentoring, and formal training in leadership, science, and ethics.
Is it a "Greek" fraternity? Phi Delta Epsilon is a professional/academic fraternity. PhiDE focuses on preparing pre-medical and medical students for their future careers in medicine by helping its members build their resumes and interact with a strong network of proactive and determined brothers and sisters. For those who are interested in also joining a social fraternity, it is still an option at USF. Students at USF are allowed to join one professional and/or one social fraternity without conflict.
Who can join Phi Delta Epsilon? Anyone! Phi Delta Epsilon, despite its distinction as a "fraternity", is open to all students as long as they are planning on pursuing a career as a practicing physician (M.D. or D.O.). Both men and women are allowed to join and there is no prejudice against any race, religion, or beliefs. PhiDE's founder Aaron Brown created the fraternity solely to offer an option for the discriminated Jewish students at the turn of the 20th century. Since then, PhiDE has prided itself on its extreme diversity and equal opportunity. Click HERE to join!
How much does it cost to be a member of Phi Delta Epsilon? Annual membership dues are $210 for new members and $85 for recurring members.
What benefits do I get with being a member of Phi Delta Epsilon?
International Fraternal Organization: Membership offers networking opportunities with medical students and physicians throughout the United States and Canada. PhiDE is actively represented on over 30 medical school and university campuses and has members in every state, many in North America.
Professional Interaction: Members are directly affiliated with chapters, clubs, and emeritus groups in major metropolitan areas throughout North America.
Upperclass-level Support: Each membership level receives mentoring and support from those who have successfully completed the previous course of study. Medical students offer assistance on school related topics, medical school applications, and the MCAT. Graduate physicians offer assistance with residency selection and career choices.
Annual International Conventions: Scientific programs, leadership training, round-table discussions, and social interaction are all part of the Annual Business Meeting in the Fall and the Scientific Meeting and Convention in the Spring.
Student and Graduate Hosts: Students traveling for medical school visits and residency interviews may be housed with local fraternity members when they travel.
Career Enhancement: Insight into the practice of medicine is gained through one-on-one and group interaction with students and physicians. Active involvement in chapter community service projects and other chapter activities aid pre-medical students in making informed career decisions.
Leadership Development: Chapter officers and project coordinators learn leadership skills such as motivation and delegation techniques, communication and organizational skills.
Organization: Chapters create their own leadership structure, annual calendar, and budget, thereby gaining valuable experience in the fundamentals of organization and business.
Community Service: Members increase their awareness of community needs, activities, problems, and solutions by sponsoring philanthropic endeavors, special events, and fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations.
Job Board: On the PhiDE international website, there is an exclusive job board that past PhiDE members use to post job listings for current members. This is a great way to get your foot in the door once completing school.
Acceptance Rate: The national average acceptance rate for PhiDE members is around 94% which is far above the whole national average which is around 50-60%.
Insurance Programs: PhiDE offers insurance plans for life, medical, dental, disability and more through Pearl Insurance Co.
What happens after I graduate or transfer from USF? There are Phi Delta Epsilon chapters all over the globe! PhiDE supports over 90 medical school chapters and over 50 premedical undergraduate school chapters around the world. With this intensive network of chapters, chances are that if a member applies to a medical school or transfers to a different undergraduate university, they will find another chapter awaiting. Graduates in good standing with their pre-medical chapter will be automatically invited into the medical chapter at the medical school they attend if one exists. PhiDE offers an extensive membership that spans throughout not only undergraduate and medical schools, but also far into your career as a physician. For more information, including a full list of our chapters and benefits of being a member of Phi Delta Epsilon, please visit our international website HERE.
What kind of time commitment does Phi Delta Epsilon require? PhiDE understands that all of our members have extremely busy schedules with a difficult course-load and multiple extra curricular activities. Because of this, PhiDE is flexible with our meeting times and often meet during times that are not usually "busy" times of the week. Also, we work in sub-committees which allow for quick and organized planning of events and activities which helps lessen the time commitment of everyone. We often have bi-weekly "tabling" at Bull Market for recruitment or fundraising purposes. Tabling is a great way to stay in touch with your fellow PhiDE members and people come and go as their schedules allow. An average weekly commitment is approximately 5 hours per week, although this differs week to week.
What is the new member initiation process? In order to become a new member, PhiDE offers two new member initiations per year. Every fall and spring semester, PhiDE holds events like information nights, barbecues, and other fun activities so that the current members can get to know the new applicants. At the end of this process, there are formal interviews and the applicants with the most drive and excitement not only to become a part of PhiDE, but in their desire to one day become a well-rounded physician receive membership into the fraternity. PhiDE and USF are both committed to a strict no-hazing policy.