proace360

I think they send it out at the same time as NHS for the same reason. I (stupidly) fell for this because I didn't even read the title, it just said something like $60 dues needed. We are going to get our money back, it's unfair and cheap little scam.

tomjonesistheman

Yea, I wouldn't say it's a "scam" but NSHSS does not really help for colleges..especially for top-tier colleges. I paid money for both NSHSS and National Honor Roll but I'm not going to mention either on my apps. It's not worth it.

and also to many, NSHSS may seem awesome just because it is from the "nobel prize family"
but it's Claes Nobel, who's like the grandson of Nobel...he doesn't have any major accomplishments...they are just using his name.

aberdeen15

I paid for NSHSS, and I put it on my applications. There's a small one-time fee, so I don't feel "scammed," but I can't say whether it helped me or not. I got in to all the colleges I applied to, including top-tier schools. Probably the best benefit is access to the scholarships offered only to NSHSS members. Not much money, but money is money when it comes to college bills.

tomjonesistheman

^Did you put NSHSS specifically in your college applications?
And congrats on Stanford! Maybe it was your other ec's/essays/recs/leadership/grades that helped..
I highly doubt they even looked at the NSHSS award.

aberdeen15

^Yes, I put National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) - like that exactly

And thanks!

I agree with you. My point is that I can't tell what did it (well, I think it was my essays), but I understand the uncertainty of joining NSHSS. Being an NSHSS member isn't going to make or break your application, and it's not going to be a deciding factor.

But is being in the National Honor Society or similar societies any different? I think all these societies look better en masse rather than individually. But who really understands admissions...

sakurarain106

I think it's a scam; after I recieved my letter, I found out my ex-boyfriend - with grades and ec's impressive enough only to get him a scathing rejection letter from every top-tier school and even from crappy schools- also got the letter. Let's just say I was disheartened and threw that letter and its free T-shirt offer in the trash. XD

tomjonesistheman

^Lol free stuff is free stuff. I ordered the T-shirt too. It's sitting in my closet right now. I'm probably never going to wear it. But it was free :]

ReachForDreams

It is not a SCAM. They give you what they tell you they will, membership, that free cord thing, and a CHANCE at scholarships. This means it is not a SCAM but HIGHLY unworth it. This will not help you on applications, but only show that you have extra money to waste on this stuff. Also barely anyone gets a scholarship and they are very small amounts.

By the way, not only Juniors get the "invites". I know MANY freshmen who got them too.

tmiles

Its a scam. An expelled freshman received one in my household. I have received several over the last 2 years. They buy names off lists (College Board, etc) and then mass-mail. They use the money paid into it to offer some scholarships to get positive word of mouth going, and continue to survive off the new members. It is not impressive to any college.

ReachForDreams

"They buy names off lists (College Board, etc) and then mass-mail. They use the money paid into it to offer some scholarships to get positive word of mouth going, and continue to survive off the new members."

That doesn't mean it is a scam. You should look up the definition and remind yourself what a scam really is.

tmiles

Scam - "a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle." Dictionary.com

This is a confidence game (they make people feel good about themselves, even someone who was expelled from high school and in no way is a notable high school scholar) in an attempt to make a quick profit. Seems like the textbook definition to me.

Jcancollegebound

I got the same letter too. And when I carried it in to my bio teacher she rolled her eyes at it (because she knew what it was) before I even said anything and said it's a scam.

Noogey23

....
I got this letter last year when I was a sophomore... I my mother paid the money. I did not see the point cuz the scholarships were limited and small, but never mind...
And I received nothing but a certificate :x Sometimes I get retarded emails inviting me to come to their summits, parties or whatever ( I don't remember what it was)... HOWEVER, how do they expect me to come to Denver or New York for a weekend if I live in Bulgaria?!

Noogey23

I do not care if NSHSS is scam; I just what to tell everyone who received this letter: this is USELESS

U
S
E
L
E
S
S
!!!

Ms. Ladybug

Hmm ... people pay an organization money and the organization uses other people's money to pay some people some returns on their money ... while all the while someone is laughing all the way to the bank ... reminiscent of Bernard Madoff, perhaps? Glad I was incredulous when this letter came and promptly put it in the recycling. They are still hounding us to join with e-mails. Anyone know which arm of our justice system investigates scams like these? I for one am sick and tired of HS students (most of whom are minors) being used as pawns in shameless marketing schemes.