<p>Are the honor societies that kids get inducted into worth anything on a college application or are they sort of bogus? We just got a letter for the junior one at S’s high school (not national merit) and we’re pleased, of course, but aren’t sure how much its worth. It says for overall achievement in academics, service, leadership and character. (and that’s why he’s grounded this weekend for backtalking? oh well. I guess he’s good at school anyway!)</p>
<p>If his HS is nominating him for something, it must be something important at the HS. Don’t ignore it. It sets him apart.</p>
<p>I agree with VeryHappy. It can’t be a bad thing.</p>
<p>Thanks, CC’ers. I guess I’ll find out more at the induction ceremony but file it away in the college file for the future!</p>
<p>It’s probably not a bad thing, but it’s also the sort of thing where applicants who have it are a dime a dozen.</p>
<p>I joined Beta Club (a non-NHS honor society) in high school. I let my membership expire after I went to the state convention. I liked the people in my own chapter, but the convention felt like a revival meeting, with lots of morality-requires-Christianity bs. Then I found out that our chapter faculty sponsor was anti-atheist. I decided that I no longer wanted to be part of that organization.</p>
<p>My son is in a NJHS. I do not think that it will have any bearings on college admision, since it is only MS, but I would say it teaches character. In orders to stay in he has to tutor - and it has been quite an experience :-)</p>
<p>A very interesting feature of my D’s college app was that she had 2 honor societies: National Honor Society and National Vocational-Tehcnical Honor Society. She had taken an unusual pilot program during h.s. in media studies, and the only place they’d house it was under Vo-Tech. It had a great blend of theater, tv, and radio, attracting some who wanted careers onstage, others backstage. </p>
<p>The academic honors classes were all held in the a.m. at that h.s., so kids could run off to the Community College in the afternoons (no AP’s offered at that h.s., very poor and rural). She was the only one in the h.s. who followed both tracks of academic honors classes and Vo-Tech campus classes. Instead of running off to CC, she bussed over to the Vocational Technical campus of the district. To board that bus, the NHS kids believed she was heading for a BOCES special education program, so she learned all about nasty comments as she boarded. She made only one friend among the NHS crowd, and couldn’t wait to get outathere for college.</p>
<p>By the time h,.s. grad came along, she boycotted her own regular h.s. grad ceremony for the academics, but attended the Vo-Tech graduation with pride. Long story, but I supported her and also enjoyed the Vo-Tech graduation. There were future Police Academy, auto mechanic and cosmeticians, along with the Media Studies program (which was cancelled a few years later). </p>
<p>Her combination of NHS and NVo-TechH.S. was unique and she mentioned it on her college app. </p>
<p>When S-2 stopped making grades that would lead to NHS, we didn’t bother him about it. S-1 earned NHS without much fanfare, but at a much easier h.s. than S-2. No comparisons were warranted or possible.</p>
<p>It’s a great feather in one’s cap but also not essential if there are other feathers.</p>
<p>Praise whatever comes along (once the grounding is done, of course). There will be a place to list in on any college app. Not everyone can get NHS. I’d always see them at S-2’s h.s. and they did many honorific things, like help with schoolwide events, so there might be perks, We attended an induction ceremony; boring, but if you don’t go, the kids think you don’t care. It combines academics and character, so that’s very commendable. Different schools have different cut-offs on the academics, which is why I especially didn’t want to compare my two S’s who attended two different h.s.'s. I don’t think it’s standardized nationally. What makes an A in one school, not so much in another.</p>
<p>I don’t think NHS adds much to college applications, but still meaningful. At some schools, the group is active in community service &/or tutoring. My S got to read morning announcements. Any activity or group that promotes positive activities is fine by me.</p>