NSHSS: Confirmation Needed on Bogusness with Scholarships and Memberships

Paying for College
1

<p>I recently received a letter from the National Society of High School Scholars that said I was invited to be a member with many scholarship opportunities and something to put on my college applications...BUT! It seems weird and sketchy and I've heard from a few people that it is not real and the $60 membership fee is to just get your money. Does anyone have any information on this? If so please tell me!</p>

2

<p>Save your $60. You can use it to buy supplies when you go to college. The organization is a real one, but it will not enhance your resume in any way. You are right in your assessment…these folks want YOUR money.</p>

3

<p>I second thumper’s take.</p>

4

<p>Use the Search function for NSHSS, you’ll find many more comments like the two above.</p>

5

<p>If you want to put it on the resume, just keep the letter, and add that you were invited to join the NSHSS on the resume. Saves you $60, but you can still list the honor.</p>

6

<p>Not sure why you would think it is bogus. My D has already received $8000 in scholarships from them (3 separate scholarships).</p>

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<p>Because it is. If you have to pay to be eligible for scholarships, it’s bogus. Just like if you have to pay in order to collect your “lottery” winnings, it’s bogus.</p>

8

<p>ReadyCollege: At first I didn’t and thought it was cool but I thought I should do some research before PAYING for an an organization that had invited me for my “outstanding academic achievements”. That quote was strange to me because I am not even in the top 10% of my class and I have A’s with a few B’s. I looked up and met none of the requirements (they did say that invited people might not make any of the requirements) to be a member. It was weird so I went and did some more digging and as you see from earlier comments and can see from other people posting about it, it is not worth it. I’ve received multiple scholarships and awards through school and different web sights. However, I’m glad your D has had good expertness with this program and good luck in the future.</p>

9

<p>I see your point that the membership fee makes it seem that it is not a legal entity or something is bogus. When my D registered with them about 4 years ago, we looked at the membership fee as being similar to a college charging an application fee to process the applications. There is definitely no point in joining this organization if you think that you will not qualify for any of their scholarships.</p>

10

<p>These so-called honor organizations hand out a tiny fraction of their fees in scholarships so they can appear legit. You’d have better odds buying $60 in lottery tickets. Stay away. And don’t put the invitation on your resume as an “honor”, because it’s not. Anyone reading your resume would know its meaningless and listing it would make you look foolish. </p>

<p>Here’s a former thread on the subject that is quite informative:
<a href=“National Society of High School Scholars: Real or a Hoax? - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1357375-national-society-of-high-school-scholars-real-or-a-hoax-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;