<p>I was just wondering...do colleges take the fact that one is in NHS into serious consideration? I know it can be a perk, but is it something that could "make or break" you? (I'm talking about the good colleges).</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>no. its pretty much worthless nowadays.</p>
<p>They've seen it a thousand and a half times. If you had an officer position or did something noteworthy for the club (perhaps even starting the chapter at your school), then it'd hold a bit more significance.</p>
<p>I agree, it's not unique and it doesn't really mean anything.</p>
<p>NHS is a waste of time if you're only doing it for college admissions.</p>
<p>the way my high school phrased it, nhs won't really help you, but not being in nhs at a school where a lot of people are in it could hurt your chances if the adcom is familiar with your school.</p>
<p>I disagree. There are some nice colleges that offer some scholarship money for NHS membership. For some of us, every little bit counts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
not being in nhs at a school where a lot of people are in it could hurt your chances if the adcom is familiar with your school.
[/quote]
people have the right to pick and choose their activities, including NHS... The time spent doing worthless activities in NHS is better spent in doing one of your PASSIONS</p>
<p>NHS is a waste of time. I rather spend my time doing something else. I am sure college admissions officers from prestigious schools see it so much that not having it makes it a hook..lol Like the above said..it is OPTIONAL.</p>
<p>NHS is as prestigeous as a bucket of spit. Some students from my school got into some really really prestigeous schools after they turned down their NHS invitation. It was a political decision, I guess. So no, colleges aren't going to be mighty curious as to why you aren't in NHS if everything else is great and as it should be. The standard of admission to NHS across the country varies too much and you can't be sure how difficult it is at one school versus at another.</p>
<p>P.S.
I was a member of NHS at my high school; it was overwhelmingly useless.</p>
<p>"admission to NHS across the country varies too much and you can't be sure how difficult it is at one school versus at another."</p>
<p>Agreed , my cousin's school takes all that have an A average and above and at least one extracurricular activity. This is really upsetting because my school is like ten times more rigorous.</p>
<p>NHS is a waste of time, if you have an interest in community service start your own project. itll turn out better and colleges will perceive it better.</p>
<p>Not very important unless you're an officer. It's good for community service hours though.</p>
<p>do it if you want to. forget what colleges think. </p>
<p>the point of NHS is to honor your academic and leadership abilities; being in NHS means that you are among the best-of-the-best in your school. don't listen to all the CC'ers who say that NHS is worthless; they are just haters and idealists fighting the wrong/pointless/easy battles. most of these kids complain about NHS not doing anything and how it's worthless yet they are members. on top of that they don't even try to work hard and improve their school's chapter: usually because they do not have the leadership abilities and charisma to do so. so, seriously, please do not listen to these kids.</p>
<p>also, think about how it will feel when you're not recognized as being in NHS at your graduation; that's when being in NHS really matters. at least that's the case at my school.</p>
<p>basically, do NHS if you want to. quit thinking about whether or not colleges will like it or not. colleges can almost always tell whether or not applicants have this sort of attitude and it's this sort of attitude that allows many top colleges to reject many qualified applicants.</p>
<p>NHS is worthless. my school has about 200 kids in NHS...most of whom are idiots.</p>
<p>Newjack88:
"NHS not doing anything and how it's worthless yet they are members. on top of that they don't even try to work hard and improve their school's chapter: usually because they do not have the leadership abilities and charisma to do so. so, seriously, please do not listen to these kids."</p>
<p>Before you start to generalize the CC critic of NHS--who are the epitome of overachievers--jack, you might to investigate why we think NHS is bucket of spit before talking nonsense. </p>
<p>I’m talking about my particular high school, but the sampling the reactions from many other members here, I don’t believe my experience is unique to my high school.</p>
<p>Point A): “NHS not doing anything and how it's worthless yet they are members.”
- I joined because I didn't know it was worthless and not doing anything (except fundraise like hell for a stupid year-end trip). Most of the activities within the school have already been taken by numerous other clubs: Key Club and Interact for Volunteer, GSA and Civil-Right Club for civil rights, etc. NHS is Johnny come lately. Teachers and administrators hold the pulse of NHS like it is their baby. It is used to force students to comform to their standard of what a good student is. Most of the members got there because of the connections they got within the school administration. Everyone made it out to be this elite organization that will determine whether you get in college or not. Yet in reality, the merits for membership are plainly nepotism. Students who spoke out against the administration on other issues were warned of their NHS standing or potential membership. Students from my school boycotted it during my year. I was ashamed for not boycotting too because I've already paid my due plus heavy parental pressure. I eventually quit before graduation, and no, I didn't put NHS on my resume. There are NHS chapters that hold their members to the highest standard, but those are clearly not in the majority. The general understanding thus far is that NHS is worthless. Those who believe it is worthless are raising a legitimate point that needs to be recognized. It might create a sense of outrage that’d push the national organization to do something about it if it wants to preserve its prestige. Most of us at my school started a letter writing campaign to the national NHS to let them all the problems at my school and started student rallies and protests, so this renders moot your "they do not have the leadership," which brings me to my second point. </p>
<p>Point B) (and probably the most offensive): “on top of that they don't even try to work hard and improve their school's chapter: usually because they do not have the leadership abilities and charisma”
- And why did you make such an outrageous claim? Let me break down what you’re saying, because it’s extremely illogical for someone who is trying to defend NHS. You are saying we “do no have leadership abilities and charisma,” and yet we are all members of our local NHS chapter. I guess what you are saying is that NHS likes to invite non-charismatic losers into its chapters. Which would mean the criticism of NHS being worthless would be valid…Do you get the logical reason here jack? </p>
<p>Point C) “basically, do NHS if you want to. quit thinking about whether or not colleges will like it or not.”
- Hey jack, THAT ISN’T WHAT THE OP WAS ASKING. Read her question before posting a stupid reply. This is her question, “I was just wondering...do colleges take the fact that one is in NHS into serious consideration? I know it can be a perk, but is it something that could "make or break" you?” And our answer is almost unanimously, “NO!” She wasn’t asking, “Is NHS something that deserved my time because I’m for helping my community.” Her question is whether it will help her getting in college (a perfectly legitimate question). And we answered it.</p>
<p>^^^
you actually are reaffirming what i said. if you had good leadership skills and charisma you would be able to improve your NHS chapter. and that's BS that "all" the issues are already covered. if you are an innovative, dynamic person you will be able to find issues to take up. so that nullfies your "Point A" and "Point B."</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most of us at my school started a letter writing campaign to the national NHS to let them all the problems at my school and started student rallies and protests, so this renders moot your "they do not have the leadership," which brings me to my second point.
[/quote]
ugh... you guys are supposed to be leaders. not only are leaders supposed to identify problems they are supposed to solve them. i would agree that your NHS chapter is "worthless" but that seems due to the members lack of taking the initiative.</p>
<p>your "Point C" makes no sense given what i said... is it against the rules to give the OP advice that will prevent him or her from unknowingly jeapordizing his or her chances of gaining admissions to many top colleges by "playing the college admissions game?" i am simply telling the OP to focus on doing what he or she wants to do not on what colleges want him or her to do.</p>
<p>" but that seems due to the members lack of taking the initiative." = "Most of us at my school started a letter writing campaign...started student rallies and protests..." </p>
<p>I'm sorry, what? Protesting, rally, getting the community to notice the problem, and writing letters IS NOT TAKING THE INITIATIVE? Wow, jack, you are living in a very sheltered life. Ok, please tell me oh wise jack, what should we do?
We held meeting with the principals, that went no where, so we took it to the street. I think we showed more balls than most. I might dare say we have "courage." Most problems don't get solved with a few talks and slaps on the backs. It takes prolong action. Please point out where we have failed wise jack.</p>
<p>"you actually are reaffirming what i said. if you had good leadership skills and charisma"
What is good leadership skills and charisma to you jack? What sort of compromise can we get except for a complete overhall of the system, and that is what WE WERE FIGHTING FOR! Cult of personality (aka charisma) does not solve anything jack. I think you are severely naive jack. Charisma and leadership don't solve problem like this--this is not a corporate boardroom problem. It takes direct actions and confrontation when necessary to raise awareness and outrage. The Civil Right movement wasn't won by "leadership and charisma," but by kids getting beat up by Jim Clark and Bull Connor. It takes confrontation. So please explain to me your style of leadership and "charisma." And no, I'm not comparing our little fight with the principal as a civil right movement, but only the method used.</p>
<p>You are not answering the fundamental problems of NHS: a popularity contest that is worth a bucket of spit. </p>
<p>"is it against the rules to give the OP advice that will prevent him or her from unknowingly jeapordizing his or her chances of gaining admissions to many top colleges by "playing the college admissions game?" </p>
<p>Jack you desperately need a lesson in logic, I hope your college education will provide it. By playing the college admission game she will jeopardize her admission chances? Huh, that doesn't make any sense. When you are playing a game or the system, you stand to benefit from it due to an inherent flaw. If you get sting, then you are not playing a game right, and thus putting yourself at risk for no good reason or benefit whatsoever. And in case you haven't noticed, CC was designed to help students improve their chance at getting into college. I might qualify that as playing the game. But if you feel disgusted but it, please shut down your account and make a moral stand.</p>
<p>"so that nullfies your "Point A" and "Point B."
What uh, seriously jack, your attempt at logic is pitiful. Here's point B:
"I guess what you are saying is that NHS likes to invite non-charismatic losers into its chapters. Which would mean the criticism of NHS being worthless would be valid…Do you get the logical reason here jack?" What you are saying has nothing with Point B and nothing with your "nulification"</p>
<p>" i am simply telling the OP to focus on doing what he or she wants to do not on what colleges want him or her to do."
Yes, I agree with this, but we are talking about the fundamental problems of NHS.</p>
<p>so if you're an officer in NHS it means nothing ??
i'm secretary this year and i'm going to be president senior year... is that insignificant and does not really count towards leadership ??</p>
<p>^ Congratulation, you have won an election. What will you do with it? That's what count as leadership, and not the club you are leading or the title you hold.</p>