<p>On the common app or whatever application you might use, I know that there is usually a section for awards. You might have heard of the National Academy of Future Physicians and National Student Leadership Conference. I was invited to attend both of them. Both sent this prestigious looking packet, but both require a hefty sum of money. We won't be able to come up with the money and nor do I have time to go, but is it worth it listing it on your applications? My thinking is no, and that it might hurt you. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t consider those to be awards. They’re trying to sell you on attending their programs. An award would be based on some specific thing you did. Like, first place, whatever competition, or volunteer of the year, etc. </p>
<p>No, you can’t list organizations you don’t join as an award. An invitation (pssst it is really marketing material) is not an award.</p>
<p>Plus, those are known “take your money so you can pad your resume” schemes. </p>
<p>They are slick marketeers. They even go about issuing press releases and unknowing people fall for it. They’ll contact your local paper and fax them “bbman88 is among a handful of recipients in the state to be nominated for National Academy of Future Physicians or National Student Leadership Conference. The program does blah blah blah”</p>
<p>It gives an appearance of legitimacy (and even puts pressure on you to attend (i.e. fork out the dough)) but it’s all a pseudo-scam. If you have any doubts, google “press releases National Academy of Future Physicians” or “press release National Student Leadership Conference” . It’s shameful.</p>
<p>Avoid them (and Who’s Who among American HS Students) like the plague.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>I like them, as I like the capitalist system, but they really aren’t awards. </p>
<p>Don’t spend the money!!! Colleges know which programs are “pay to play” programs and don’t give any merit to them.</p>
<p>Yeah, to be “eligible” you need to have a 3.5 GPA (you know, be on the honor roll) and attend a school district that needs the money enough to sell your contact info to organizations like this.</p>
<p>Avoid those scam.</p>