When I was a freshman and heard about juniors getting into the NHS like it was a massive accomplishment since “every college loves it”. However, as a junior now, I am constantly looking up info regarding MIT (even past the first page of google! :-bd ) and I came across a blog entry by Michelle G (http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/what-i-did-in-high-school). Interestingly enough she had lived and when to school near my area (around Rutgers) and in her post, she said that she had left the NHS, and look where she ended up, at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, MIT. So my question is this, is NHS really what colleges look for alot (i.e. does it have a major/minor impact on admissions) or was Michelle’s decision to not peruse with the NHS and continue with her high school a good decision, especially if other students think colleges love NHS? (but considering she got mutliple 5s and 4s on SELF STUDIED AP exams, that might not be the case)
Realistically… no. It is not worth it, especially if you are focused on admission to an elite university like MIT.
There’s only space to list 4 ECs outside the essays on the MIT application.
Common app has 10 spaces; NHS is more likely to fit there.
keep in mind you may have a parent that wants to see you wear that cord at graduation…
Really, it’s up to you. It probably isn’t going to be seen as some huge accomplishment by most schools, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing it if you want to. I don’t know how NHS works at your school, but it’s pretty laid-back at mine and has a few mandatory events that serve as community service opportunities/social gatherings.
I was invited into the NHS by my school and chose not to join. I didn’t like some of the requirements and it would’ve caused me to have less time to pursued things I really enjoyed. MIT must have not cared.
I think a good place to put NHS on the application would be by awards.
@musicalmatrices At my school it is pretty well woven into the school in regards to events and activities for members.
@rothstem I was thinking about how much time it would take out my already busy schedule (http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1916167-assistance-required.html#latest), and I need to allocate time to focus on ECs and APs. Thanks for the advice, and if you dont mind me asking… did you get into mit?
I’m a senior at MIT
I wouldn’t worry about. NHS isn’t a universal best club to join. My school’s NHS isn’t even that great, and it has a $50 membership fee. I would be more concerned about the extracurricular activities that I actually enjoy and participate in than the ones that may have good reputation at other schools.
Here is a good heuristic: if it didn’t help you get into college, would you still be doing it?
If yes, do it.
If no, maybe reconsider.
@rothstem Sweet!
@ObitoSigma I see, Im planning on doing something similar.
@MITChris I see your point, thanks for the advice!
Since MITChris has already written on this, my opinion is pretty superfluous, but since it generalizes to other colleges as well, I will go ahead anyway. 
First-order effect of not joining NHS: None
Second-order effects: Is your reason for not joining NHS that the service activities that are required by your school for NHS take up too much time? If so, will that affect your Guidance Counselor’s opinion of you? Is it the case that you “can’t be bothered with service activities” and you would rather hone your Ultimate Frisbee skills or something similar? If so, maybe you should reconsider–actually helping other people is a worthwhile undertaking. Teamwork and athletics are valuable, but you may need to set priorities (not directed at college admission–this happens throughout life). If the NHS at your school only does cheesy service projects, and that’s the reason you don’t want to join, then maybe your could join and redirect their efforts. Or is it the case that you are involved in a research project and you are up pretty late all the time anyway? In that case, if you have the right ethos to participate in service projects and just truly do not have the time, because you prioritize the research experience, I’d say give NHS a miss.