Kandice_K

Wow. After reading the full set of comments here I have to wonder how many people will totally be mislead by a few people who aren't willing to do their own checking and research and merely fly ahead based on the fact that something "seems scam like" to them.

There are a significant number of honor's organizations nationally and internationally. While many of them invite you to join, they are doing so based on information that was provided to them by teachers, schools, and other academic organizations. Some of them are for students in High School; others are for College students. A few are for both.

Who's Who Honors are not a scam. The books are legitimate. Go check the library at your college or in your town. Most of them get complimentary copies. Some of them are inter-related. Who's Who of Teachers for example is where the teachers of the students who made it on the National Dean's List are listed. You have to be nominated to get into most of these publications. Many have GPA requirements. Some do not require you to submit money for inclusion in the publication, unless you want to add things like your picture or have a copy of the publication-- parents of nominee's may want copies of the books, for example.

The National Dean's List is a legitimate honor. You must be nominated and have a high GPA. Most colleges recognize graduates with a 3.5 or higher as having graduated with Honors-- so it is silly to suggest that 3.4 is a low GPA. Most people would not think that-- just go ask your advisor. National Dean's list nominee's are also checked and verified. And they do not require you to pay any thing for the recognition of being in the publication. It is a significant honor, and many places do look for it.

Similarly, Many academic organizations like Phi Theta Kappa are totally legitimate. Most of them have GPA requirements, and are service oriented. PTK for example has a membership fee of 75$. That money goes to paying for the materials and supplied used to not only further the service goals, but to also run the organization (i.e. send you a letter of nomination, provide the membership pin, print and send your membership documentation, provide burgers for the national picnic of members, etc.)
Membership in many organizations costs a fee or yearly membership. Good grief! Many golf clubs are just as legitimate, charge membership fees and are just as exclusive!

Organizations and honors may not be free or cheap. Many of them are willing to waive fees for those who cannot afford them. But just because they have a fee for membership, does not make them scams. The reality is that while a lot of students do not get involved in these organizations, many do. And those who do often end up with a lot of wonderful experiences, skills, and contacts that benefit them later. Not everyone who joins them is very active-- some people are only willing or able to join in on a limited basis. In fact, several scholarships are given to students just because they are involved in these academic organizations, and many times being honored helps students successfully get jobs, scholarships, and opportunities.

Just because they send out nominations to several people or students within a range of GPA's or interests does not mean they are not legitimate or worthwhile. And similarly, having a membership fee does not make them illegitimate, a scam or heinous.

If you really are concerned actually go ask your college councilor or advisor. If you actually did some real checking, instead of just assuming you might find that it is surprising how many of these Honors are REAL and actually mean something.