Like I said in post 22, I see that the replies were more blunt than you anticipated. But plz allow me to expand further:
-“It’s just foolish, IMHO. You’ll serve yourself much better if you aim to be the best you can be, eventually targeting a broad list of (hopefully) “elite” colleges.”
I stand by this 100% will repeat that you should aim to improve yourself to be the best possible son or daughter/student/scholar/community member you should be – not simply as a future applicant of college A or college B. My experience is that laser-beam focused kids on Harvard or Stanford or Princeton et al are commonplace but never admitted. Because their goals are so narrow and based upon what they perceive as formulae – rather than being authentic. It’s akin to saying you wish to play for the Denver Broncos while you’re just a high school JV football player. Sincerely, if you aspire to top colleges, reach for the stars – a top college diploma is just a blip on that trajectory. If all you’re doing is looking for an Ivy diploma, then your aiming too low (and consequently, will miss the Ivy too).
-“The GPA cut-off is 3.5. How many kids at your school have a 3.5 GPA? That’s how (non) selective the program really is.”
I understand that Future Physicians was a great program for you and that’s a great thing and I’m not trying to diminish that. Like I said before, that seems to be the general consensus. However, I wanted to counter what you believe (and what Envision LMI espouses) is the unique nature of the selection process. It’s very general and that’s plain. It’s a money making venture. If anyone can submit a paid registration, they are accepted.
-“Looks like this kid’s family was trying to buy him awards.”
An unfortunate reality in the admissions rat race. This thought permeates selective college admissions officers b/c of the emergence of many manyjunkets that market themselves to parents and kids who feel that this will “make them look unique” and dedicated and to be a game-changer on the resume/EC list. Since the “nomination” process is so loose and the “acceptance” criteria is a check that clears, the “award” of NSHSS or Future Physicians or Future Leaders is not much of one.
-“National Society of High School Scholars – you can omit that one too. It’s another vanity money-making venture”
Self evident. Do the research and you’ll find out how “exclusive” this pay-to-join club really is.