Another EC question - National Honor Society?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have the option of joining my school's chapter of the National Honor Society. I am not sure if I should. </p>

<p>Due to a serious illness for the past five years, during the school year all I do is school work (and that's only for a few hours each day) and things related to my health (going to doctor's appointments, etc.). During the summer, I am able to volunteer with my dog at a nursing home nearby (I trained her to be a therapy dog). I also just started knitting blankets for the local Children's Hospital...</p>

<p>Based on my PSAT score (CR:80, M:64, W:70) last year (as a sophomore), I will hopefully place as a Wisconsin NMSQT finalist this year, and will hopefully have an AP Scholar award by the time I apply to colleges. I won the President's Volunteer Service Award several years in a row and was a United Way Youth Honoree, but that was all several years (mainly before I became ill; all before HS). Before I was sick, I was involved with many ECs. I won't bore you by listing all of them.</p>

<p>My teachers have encouraged to join the NHS, with the understanding that I would not be able to take part in the activities of the group (peer tutoring, participation in school activities that do not pertain to my school work, etc.). They say it would look good on a college application. I think that college counselors would look at that and think that I joined it only because I thought it would look good. The truth is that I would have joined it before I became ill, and participated in it fully; however, even though I would like to participate now, I can't. </p>

<p>Should I just leave well enough alone, and not join the NHL? A broader question is, how do I impart to college counselors that I had (and will have, as soon as I'm well) a very active, full life outside of school without coming off whiny or disingenuous? Obviously, a good essay is key, but what do I do about a blank activity list?</p>

<p>If you're still reading, thanks for hanging in there with me. I would appreciate any advice you can give.</p>

2

<p>NHS isn’t that major of an EC. Either you’re in it or you’re not. I suggest just joining and see what you can do with it. Turning down opportunities is generally looked down upon.</p>

3

<p>In my opinion, NHS is one of those EC’s that doesn’t do much for you if you are in it, and if you’re not in it, it’s not like it’ll be missed</p>

4

<p>If you mention your illness in your application (and put in a more in-depth description of what you typed on this thread), I’m sure that college admissions will understand your “blank activity list”. It’s not like you’re choosing to do nothing (like a lot of high school students today). Since you’re physically unable to do a lot of EC’s, I would not worry about it at all. If I were you, I would join the NHS anyway. It’s a honor to join the society, and if your teachers think you’re qualified, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity.</p>

5

<p>I would join anyway. It can’t hurt, and it’s an honor to be inducted. Honestly, to colleges, it wont matter tooo much. But hey, it’s an extra honor when you graduate. I dont know about your school, but we get to wear honor chords at graduation at my school. haha.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all your responses. I really appreciate the advice. You have simplified the decisions for me - since I guess it can’t hurt, I’ll join.</p>

7

<p>NHS requires peer tutoring and service. If you don’t participate (even if you’re allowed not to participate), it’s little more than a silly honor, something that means little at most high schools. No applicant to top schools is expected to join NHS, and especially not one with a health condition that would prevent your full involvement.</p>