dot_parker

PTK is legit. I got big scholarships from a few of the schools I was accepted to. I'm still waiting to hear financial/ scholarship info from Columbia, though.

Regarding the National Dean's List, you are not charged anything to have your name and info printed in the book. You only need to shell out money if, like me, you are a narcissist who enjoys seeing your name in print.

zhgiu

"You only need to shell out money if, like me, you are a narcissist who enjoys seeing your name in print. ":

which is why it's a stupid scam

dot_parker

I disagree.

It's really something to add to a transfer application.

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.

renix

<==== PTK Chapter President

PTK is good organization. BTW you get on the NDL is you're in PTK.

rainmanoutofsnow

Perhaps a good measure of this would be to contact an admissions office and ask if they lend any weight to NSCS as a legitimate, extracurricular honor society.

niggit42

Hey, I am a PTK chapter officer, and I can say it is an organization based on community service as well as good academic standng. With that said, I recommend if anyone is interested in PTK, don't just sign up and use it in the fashion expected. (That is just for your transcripts). PTK offers many avenues to really help other people and causes, and if you really want to buffer your transcripts - show that you have taken these oppurtunities and used them!

So don't think just becuase you check marked that you are a Kappan that you are above anyone else, because there will be others that do the same. However, if you started and continued a project of service through PTK- that will be taken into great consideration.

NDL seems to be automatic if you are in an honors society, but I think its sort of stupid because you can't do anything with it. It's not like you have access to anything such as resources or people to DO something, its just a nice memento that will end up meaning nothing in the long run.

blue147

How about Mortar Board? I looked up the quilifications for my university which involves self nomination (filling out an application), an interview, and a minimum GPA of 3.2.

One honor society I know for sure is legit AND an honor to be part of is Phi Beta Kappa:
http://staging.pbk.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home3 .

renix

Niggit is right, PTK has amazing oppurtunities if you are active. Some colleges DO require you to be active to get a scholarship.

blue147

Is PTK a junior college honor society, because I looked on their website and it says that.

mellowcrazy

my college doesn't have chapter for ptk... i feel left out.

lostincode

lol.....

btw, PTK is the biggest scam of them all XD

renix

Well, if that website says that....

diamondprynzez

PTK is legit...

they have volunteer opportunities at KQED and stuff, give lots of scholarships, and are very active in giving to the community. They put together a book drive at my school's chapter

niggit42

diamondperezz^^ are you talking about the Better World Boosk Books for Africa drive at De Anza?