<p>Hi I got a mail from a program named "The National Society of High School Scholars"(NSHSS). I really have no idea what this is and none of my friends do either. Do you know about this? It seems to be a useful resource but accepting the invitation and becoming one of the member requires a $60 fee. I want to make sure if that is necessary. Thanks for answering! :)</p>
<p>Well, before other people post, it isn’t a scam.</p>
<p>It’s useful in that you can apply for several scholarships through the program but it’s not easy to actually receive them as so many apply.</p>
<p>Another good part about it is that you can apply to be a NSHSS Ambassador so pay attention the e-mails for anything to add to your EC list - I didn’t :/.</p>
<p>$60 gets you membership and a box of some stuff like a bumper sticker, card, t shirt etc. Not worth it for that, but I guess it is if you receive money from them.</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s not something to put as an honor but an overall helpful asset if used correctly. Good luck!</p>
<p>Please use the Search function for NSHSS, this is a FAQ.</p>
<p>@shah95 Thanks for your reply. What if I’m not planning on scholarship? Because due to my performance for now, I don’t consider myself extraordinary enough to apply for scholarship. I just want to get into my dream college. Do you have an idea of how’s the website helpful in any other way?</p>
<p>@entomom I’ll definitely keep that in mind. How else could I use the website? Thanks for your remind. :)</p>
<p>Indeed, this question comes around again every time NSHSS sends out a batch of new mailings. Use the “search” function at the top of the page to find old threads on the topic.</p>
<p>I agree with Shah95 that NSHSS isn’t a scam, and also that it’s a bad value for almost everybody who pays to join. </p>
<p>NSHSS promises that if you send them $60, they’ll put your name in a book, send you a bumper sticker that your parents can put on the back of the Sienna, and provide you information about (mostly low-dollar) scholarships that you could apply for. As far as I know, they keep their word about the book and the scholarship info.; all you need to do is look at a the minivans in a supermarket parking lot where I live to see that they definitely keep their word when it comes to the bumper sticker.</p>
<p>But the thing is, you could get information about scholarships on your own with a little effort and a broadband connection. That leaves you paying $60 for a bumper sticker and getting your name published in a book (that you could buy, but which isn’t included in your $60). Is that a good value? I don’t think so. But if you do, then I guess you should send them $60.</p>
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<p>Jennifer, doesn’t this kind of tell you something about NSHSS right there? You don’t really think of your self as competitive for the scholarships, but they’d still be delighted to take your $60. Does that tell you something about both NSHSS’s business model and its selectivity? And if it says something (something not terribly flattering) about NSHSS’s selectivity, how is belonging to NSHSS going to help you get into your dream college?</p>
<p>NSHSS sends out probably a hundred “invitations” to my class each year. Just FYI, only the lower-level students in my class accept those “invitations,” if that tells you anything. It may not be a scam, but it sure isn’t worth $60. Just rely on your own ability to find scholarships, your own academic integrity, and your interesting ECs to get you into college. I doubt that NSHSS can help you with any of those.</p>
<p>You do get access to lots of scholarships, and for $60 dollars, it might end up being a bargain.
I’d say there’s nothing to lose, really.
But it isn’t selective and it won’t look impressive on the common app.</p>
<p>"You do get access to lots of scholarships, and for $60 dollars, it might end up being a bargain. "</p>
<p>If you do a cursory check on the company’s revenue versus the $ they give out in scholarship, you’ll see that you’re almost better off getting $60 Powerball tickets. And your parents’ minivan with the NSHSS sticker won’t be the source of derision from those who know better. (I saw one the other day)</p>
<p>@Sikorsky I don’t really understand the last paragraph…Could you rephrase that a bit? Do you mean that yes, being a part of NSHSS helps with my admission?</p>
<p>If I can speak for my friend Sikorsky: you yourself said you weren’t a particulary mind-blowing applicant and were surprised to get the NSHSS invite.</p>
<p>What does that tell you about the “selectivity” or the relative honor of such a designation? When was the last time you were NOT on your school’s honor roll? 2nd grade? Is that something you’ll prominently place on your resume? Of course not – because of its relatively lower standard and ubiquitousness.</p>
<p>Here you go: if NSHSS is had by every 3.2 - 3.5 GPA student in America, what does paying $60 having NSHSS on your “awards” tell any college admissions officer in the country? Absolutely nothing.</p>
<p>Like I said before, have mom go buy $60 in lottery tickets instead of sending it to NSHSS.</p>
<p>What T26E4 said. Belonging to NSHSS tells colleges two things about you. </p>
<p>One is that your grades aren’t bad. But belonging to NSHSS doesn’t necessarily mean anything more; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re an outstanding student. And colleges will already know from your transcript what your grades are like.</p>
<p>And the other thing? You used to have $60!</p>
<p>@T26E4 thanks for the explanation. 
Now I get it. Totally.
@Sikorsky again thanks for the information. I really had no idea why I got the mail since I don’t even study in the US. So I guess I’ll just ignore it.</p>