<p>I was recently nominated by my IB Physics 2 teacher to the United States Achievement Academy. They basically only invite top students for a collection of a national yearbook. They request $60 if you'd like the yearbook, or the option to be included without having to buy one. </p>
<p>Is this a scam? I've done research on it and couldn't find anything on whether or not it's a scam other than it has been around for at least 30 years. My teacher claims this is a legitimate program. They also offer 400 grants and a $10,000 scholarship.</p>
<p>If it's not a scam, would this be something I could add to my update package for my ED Deferrment?</p>
<p>I have never heard of this organization, nor if my memory serves me right I have never seen it on an application either. I am usually quite skeptical when you have to pay to list your name in something (i.e. Who's Who). </p>
<p>It is your choice if you want to add it to your application, but honestly it will not be a factor for us since it is not a known honor / accomplishment.</p>
<p>If they include an option of accepting to become a member of the United States Achievement Academy without paying for membership fee and it's teacher recommended, then its legitimate. Most programs such as Who's Who's of America and National Honor Society of Student Scholars etc... charge a ridiculous fee to become a member. I've gotten many of these over the years and I asked my guidance counselor and he said it was a scam the moment he glimpsed it.</p>
<p>They are basically a vanity publication. No one gets turned down. It's similar to publications amateur photographers, song writers and other artists can pay to have their work published.</p>
<p>Yes, this helps, thanks. I guess it has some merit since your teacher has to nominate you. Either way, I'm not going to buy the yearbook, just check the box that says "include me for free".</p>
<p>I filled out all the paperwork for this and sent in my application for the scholarship. Does anybody know when the winners will be notified (or if they have been already)? Thanks!</p>
<p>well. i know this is really late. but I believe that it is a true organization. I ws recently nominated by my AFJROTC teacher, I am hoping that he knows what he nominated me for. I think i will do it. BUT before i do, I would like to ask: Has anyone here acctually purchased a yearbook and recieved it? isnt it like an ACCTUAL yearbook where you have to pay for one?</p>
<p>it would really help if i could get a verification on the authencity of this organization.</p>
<p>~ i don’t think this is a scam, but i suggest to NOT buy the yearbook because it’s expensive</p>
<p>~ there is a lot of the same crap they send to you to fill out, but i personally think it’s worth it if you end up with a scholarship. make sure to list a lot of activities in the form.</p>
<p>~ the people that work for the USAA have a long process of elimination: first a teacher nominates you and you get a “Who’s Who Among Honor Students” envelope. if you don’t get eliminated then, you get a “Who’s Who Among All-American Scholars” envelope. i’m not sure what happens then because that’s when i got eliminated, but the next year, they sent me a “Who’s Who in Leadership and Service” envelope because i was still in the top 10%. This envelope gave me a second chance at the scholarship. I also got nominated again, so i could’ve applied either way.</p>
<p>~ SUMMARY: fill out the forms, don’t buy the yearbook, and make sure to list as many activities as you can when filling out the Student Biography Form.</p>
<p>It’s not a scam. I’ve been nominated for three different awards from USAA and bought a yearbook for one of them and received it. </p>
<p>Who’s Who is not a scam either. I’ve been nominated for Who’s Who for 4 years and also bought and received a yearbook from them as well. Who’s Who also awards students in college as well. I always see the yearbooks for Who’s Who recipients in the library on my college campus.</p>
<p>Whoever keeps posting nonsense about these organizations being a scam is doing a disservice to high school students who could use them for their resumes and to help in applying for colleges.</p>
<p>These organizations are not scams. HOWEVER, one should really question whether it is necessary to pay for an “honor” that most Admissions evaluators will ignore when looking at an application. For me, Who’s Who, USAA, and other such recognitions that students pay into have little to no value in the admissions review process. </p>
<p>There are enough honors, achievements, and recognition programs out there that carry much value as students actually earn them, not purchase them.</p>
<p>hi i was in a similar situation. I was selected for the national society of leadership and success as high school student and they are asking for an 85 dollar fee for admissions. It is their first time having high school kids involved in the program so I wanted to know if this is a legite program and whether I should pay. A lot of prestigious universities are involved in it but I have no clue on the credibility of the source. Could you all help as the deadline for the payment is arriving soon???!!! Thanks</p>
<p>Never heard of it. You need to ask what you get for your $85 and whether what they provide you for your fee is of value to you. Don’t just pay the fee thinking it will get you into a college, because it won’t.</p>
<p>I’ve read somewhere…go check how you were identified as “high achieving”.
most of these are scams, and the bar is actually quite low. they are in for the admissions fee.</p>
<p>thanks, but searching around won’t get me anywhere as multiple universities have it; so I guess it’s legite. However,…on the last note (“the bar is low”), how does one evaluate the importance or prestigiousness of a program. I mean, do colleges just decide on a scale of 1-10; 10 being highest and most recognized (10 for beta club, 10 for key club, 1 for some party club)…</p>
<p>Is this how that goes? I would like to know, as I am just enrolling in this new honor society because I am not entered in my school one. </p>
<p>This is one of the groups that blanket high schools with unsolicited emails/mail asking for nominations (criteria is pretty low). Well meaning teachers do nominate students. Students get notification and there is a membership fee or yearbooks for sale, scholarships, and even some have started offering t-shirts, honor cords, stoles, stuff mascots. It is so broad that it is for 6th to 12th grade. Sometimes there is an application fee for the scholarships. </p>
<p>Yes, they will give out scholarships–but your odds would be better if you got all the students in your school to throw in $50 and then you drew a name out of the hat to see who got the pot. </p>
<p>Some of these organizations have been linked to identity theft; be cautious giving out your birthdate, address and SSN.</p>