National Society of High School Scholars: Real or a Hoax?

<p>I recently received a letter in the mail asking me to join the National Society of High School Scholars. A membership costs $60, but says I can put this "achievement" on my college applications. Is this a real society that can benefit me in the college process?</p>

<p>Do a search here on CC: conventional wisdom: it’s a hoax, money maker. They pay school districts for the lists of their honor roll students and then solicit them with this “honor”. Your “achievement” was your name was on this list that was sold to them.</p>

<p>You can place this in the same file as “Whos Who in American High Schools”. Equally as valuable …</p>

<p>T26E4 is right: hoax, completely.</p>

<p>Don’t be surprised if before long you see a newly registered CC’er post on this thread about how wonderful NSHSS is–they monitor references to the organization and try to counter negative comments.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that “membership” in an organization based solely on your GPA tells colleges nothing more than 1) your GPA–which they already know, and 2) that you’re gullible.</p>

<p>NSHSS is affiliated with counselor associations, scholarship programs, higher education institutions and international school associations. Our partners include Abercrombie & Fitch, AFLAC, Alzheimer’s Association, the National Society for the Gifted and Talented, and the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. Some of our collaborating universities include Spelman College, UC - San Diego, and Purdue University.</p>

<p>^Notice only one post, they use to have so many accounts like that. They are a major money maker. They do have a couple of scholarships but it is totally not worth paying to get in.</p>

<p>“affiliated”, “partners”, collaborating universities". How delightfully murky.</p>

<p>It’s a con job… If you bubble in on the PSAT that your average is an A average, you get an invitation from them. So… It’s pretty much worthless.</p>

<p>What more evidence do we need? 1900+ views and the only “positive” post is obviously a shill poster, post #5.</p>

<p>IMO, hoax seems strong. They promise that if you pay them to join, they’ll publish your name, tell you the names of some places that offer scholarships, and send you a bumper sticker to put on your parents’ car. And from what I’ve seen on College Confidential, if you pay them, they do publish your name, tell you the names of some places that offer scholarships, and send you a bumper sticker to put on your parents’ car.</p>

<p>If you sent them money and they didn’t do those things, I think they’d be a hoax. I think it’s more like a bad value.</p>

<p>They don’t promise that if you join NSHSS, it will impress colleges. Which is good, because it won’t.</p>

<p>Any honor that you have to pay $ for isn’t really an honor.</p>

<p>I am not endorsing NSHSS, but I did want to make anyone reading this aware that the “scholarships” are real, albeit not large or prestigious. Definitely not a hoax.</p>

<p>I know NOLS waives application fee and provides a small ($150) scholarship. </p>

<p>NOLS is an outdoor wilderness education school. My son looked into it as a summer or Gap year program.</p>

<p>I think the question has been fully answered already. I feel that this thread should be closed. Everyone is just repeating the same thing.</p>

<p>Also, something about the NSHSS needs to be stickied or put somewhere in big flashing letters because i’ve been active for not too long and I literally see one thread on this/day.</p>

<p>I’ve read that NSHSS is legitimate, but is it worth paying $60 for? Also I don’t think it’ll stand out on college apps…</p>

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<p>Mostly true, though I think people might disagree with you about Phi Beta Kappa or Tau Beta Tau, both of which generally require fees to join but are quite respected post-college.</p>

<p>Like most membership organizations, a fee is charged to help cover the organizational costs of fulfilling the mission of the Society. Those students who elect to join receive a lifetime membership. There are no annual dues or renewals, ever. Member benefits include:
• Exclusive scholarship opportunities and academic competitions
• Member-only web content
• Free national events and college fairs for members and their families
• Dedicated member-services staff and volunteers to assist students
• Member communications including monthly e-newsletter
• Service and leadership opportunities
• Unique outreach from top domestic & international universities
• Unique offerings through our partners
• Personalized membership certificate
• Personalized press release for distribution to local media
• Peer Networking</p>

<p>Our collaborating universities program connects top universities directly to NSHSS members.</p>

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Not necessarily. During high school I had to pay membership dues for both the National Forensic League and the International Thespian Society. Both of which are considered legitimate honors.</p>

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<p>What would be the point of a membership certificate that isn’t personalized?</p>

<p>“Be it known to all persons that THIS GUY/GIRL (circle one) HERE is a member in good standing of the National Society of High School Scholars,” etc.</p>

<p>Same thing with a “press release for local media” that isn’t personalized. “Action News 9 has learned that a local teen is now a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, but, gosh darn it, we just don’t know *which *local teen it is!”</p>

<p>As I said before, I have no doubt that NSHSS delivers what it promises. I just remain unconvinced that what it promises has much value.</p>