National society of high school scholars

pittsmom · January 28, 2011, 4:29pm

I have neither the time nor the inclination to research other honor societies. The only reason I bothered looking at NSHSS is because they solicited my son through the mail. They asked for $60…no other organization did. So before I give anyone my money, I like to know who they are. I was unable to gather enough useful information with how NSHSS spends its (including my $60) money…so therefore it won’t get my money.

It all boils down to this - show me how you spend your money. If an organization can’t do that - they will NEVER get my money. I work too hard for it.

EmberC · January 28, 2011, 5:22pm

Great, don’t. But all honor societies charge a membership. That’s how they pay for all that stuff they do.

If by “no other organization” you mean school clubs, sure. But they aren’t the same as national or international honor societies and can’t offer the same lifetime benefits with nationally renowned partner businesses and insurance companies. He’s obviously in high school. If he’s a good student, he’ll get more offers in college, and you’ll see that each and every one has a membership charge.

If you teach your son your value of money and to actually use the benefits, then it’ll pay out. But since you say you have no inclination to research it all, then it won’t. Same as the case with most of the people on here saying they don’t want to spend the time when there’s a lot of TV watching to do in the evenings. Not saying that YOU do, but that’s how the average American spends hours each evening.

On a side note, you were right, it’s 2.7%. Also, apparently the 12% from Golden Key is split up further, because they give out only 5% of their total revenue in scholarships. So, 3% here, 5% there. Golden Key is larger and more established. Now if it were 3% versus 40% being paid out, I’d say, wow, now there’s something up. It looks to me like we’re getting a pretty fair comparison here.

thatelephantt · January 29, 2011, 2:23pm

Hey everyone! So I just received a letter from them saying that I’m a semi-finalist for the Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship–does anyone have any information in regards to the selection process?

On another note, perhaps EmberC, you can address this: I was browsing the list of scholarship winners from the past years–I usually do this for most scholarships/programs I apply to so I can see if there’s anyone local who could give me advice/etc. etc. And I found a couple that supposedly go to the university I would like to go to but when I tried to look them up on Facebook, I couldn’t find them. So I started looking for random people, thinking that I’d have a better chance but that was to avail either. So do you think they made up the names or the names of the schools? I don’t see why they would want us to fill out the scholarship information if they don’t give us the $$. On a side note, I vaguely recall filling out a 2 minute scholarship application last semester…I wasn’t aware that I applied for the Claes Nobel Scholarship.

EmberC · January 29, 2011, 4:19pm

Congratulations!!! That is VERY exciting! Let’s see if this helps any…

Well, they’re not making them up. Whatever I was a member of or won, I was listed, as well as others that I knew, and we are real.
My guess is that under 18 they’re profiles might have restrictions on who can find them (friends of friends?) but I don’t really know that.
It’s hard to tell when you find the right person you’re looking for without adding them as a friend first, and it’s also difficult to search on Facebook, since I don’t think there’s a search criteria, such as state or university.

However, I called the headquarters to ask for you, and I found out that there is a place where past winners have their contact info…
The girl I spoke to actually won that scholarship 3 years ago herself. This is her advice:
When you go to the main site, and log in, you can see a list of all the scholarship that you might be eligible for, and apply (you already did that obviously). Her advice for getting the scholarships:

Get your application in early
maintain your GPA (get yours up even a fraction above the others applying. It won’t be the only criteria, but every little bit helps)
think hard about your essay questions
give unique answers
be honest in your answers because it really shows
and have great recommendation letters
She said really, that’s about it.
((I would add, though, that the more personal details you put into your answers, and personal and family demographics, like being raised in a single parent household, or something, you might find a trigger point in the reader. It also helps the reader feel like they know you and connect with you. I don’t know if that’s completely true, but that’s how I always wrote, and I have won things before. Take that for what it’s worth.))

(Be sure to send in everything you need the first time, whether through email or snail mail, so they don’t have to come back and say, where are your recommendation letters, and then you run out of time)

If you do want to get in touch with past scholarship winners, she said you can go to the main page and there is a link (I can’t get to it, not having a member login) called something like “COLLEGIC BOARD MEMBERS,” and they are all past winners. You can access their contact information there.
Just in case there’s more info that might be helpful, the girl I spoke with is emailing a lady that can give me all the exact info, and I’ll pass that along to you as soon as I get it!

My biggest piece of advice: NEVER, EVER LISTEN TO ALL THE NAY-SAYERS in the world (or on silly forums) who are too afraid to get out and enjoy the world and all that it has to offer.

I’m always happy to see students taking advantage of their opportunities! I’ve gone to so many countries and done so many crazy and great things (here and abroad) that I never would have been able to do (AND GET CREDITS FOR!!) if I didn’t have the GPA I did or join the societies that I did. You are really in for a treat and they will be some of the best experiences of your life!
We went through a very rough time, and my daughter was still able to do a study in England, Spain, and Italy, thanks to a partial scholarship, which definitely helped when we otherwise couldn’t have afforded it. SO DON’T THINK MONEY WILL STOP YOU. I think it also really cements what everyone has always told you about studying and getting good grades, and you will pass that along to your kids too. I am really excited for you and I have my fingers crossed!

I’ll get you more info as they send it along!

EmberC · January 30, 2011, 12:07am

What are you talking about? “The Eisenhowers are associated with People to People, but it means nothing in that case, either.”

What does that even mean?

The reason the Eisenhower name is “associated” with People to People is because Dwight D. Eisenhower (yes, the one that was president of the United States) called a bunch of top American leaders together and created it. If he had nothing to do with it, his name would’t be “associated” with it.
If he were in any way embarressed to be “associated” with the program, his name would have been removed a long time ago. But apparently he thought it was a pretty good thing.

pittsmom · January 30, 2011, 12:44pm

WOW! You aren’t in any way affiliated with NSHSS, yet you called the headquarters to ask if the reciepients are real or made up? Hmmmmm…my biggest piece of advice is this: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be skeptical of those professing to have no affilliation with a group, yet are the biggest cheerleaders of that group. Do your own research and use your brain. It’s your money. Spend it wisely.

MommaJ · January 30, 2011, 3:14pm

Hear hear pittsmom! This thread has taken a very amusing turn. EmberC, you need to be more subtle to maintain credibility. I think your frantic defense has pretty much confirmed that HSHSS is a waste of money. Thanks!

As the parent of a People-to-People alum, I agree that the Eisenhower family should be ashamed to allow their name to be bandied about by the company’s salesmen. They probably get some nice perks they don’t want to give up. Whatever the program was when it was founded, it is now just another very expensive teen tour. The Eisenhower name, like the term “student ambassador”, is used as a deceptive sales device. Buyer beware, beware, beware.

UVADeanJ · January 30, 2011, 3:27pm

I researched this group a while back because someone told me CavDog might be admitted.

I found this article about the founding of this group:
[Ousted</a> Golden Key founder running for-profit honor group for high schoolers | AccessNorthGa](<a href=“http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=169553&c=2]Ousted”>http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=169553&c=2)

From the article…

thatelephantt · January 31, 2011, 4:38pm

Thanks for the response, EmberC!

I actually did manage to get in contact with several people who were past winners!

Addressing Dean J’s comment, I got into one of my dream schools already so I’m looking to win some scholarship $ and if this organization gives me that opportunity, then by all means, I will take it. Thanks for contributing to the thread!

Copterguy · January 31, 2011, 8:20pm

I don’t like the use of the word “scam” for these types of ventures because they are technically “societies” that you can join for a fee. Also, the posts note that some people have won scholarships from this group.

BUT the posts also raise questions about the amount of money collected by this group vs. the amount of money given out in scholarships, and there seems to be a big difference. I actually think this is probably a good money-making venture for the people who run it. So good that they can host conferences and (probably) still rake in a good salary for the CEO.

So maybe RAFFLE is a better word. For $60 you get a ticket to a scholarship competition. If you’re lucky, you may win one of the scholarships. But you also may be out $60 plus the $15 for the NSHSS honor medallion (available at the member store). I must be getting old, but back in my day you did not have to pay for a graduation cord or a medallion.

EmberC · February 3, 2011, 1:05am

Pittsmom,
I’m blown away not only by your admitted lethargy about doing research into your son’s education, but now you can’t read either. Maybe that’s not coincidental.

I didn’t call to ask if they were real or made up. In fact, what I said was, I know that they are not made up. I called to ask if someone searching is allowed to get in touch with past winners for advice. Read ALL of the words before making nonsensical responses. If you can’t make an educated response you just end up sounding dumb, which yes, MommaJ, I agree, is very amusing.

For the last time, I’m not in the group, I don’t know anyone in the group, I don’t get paid by the group. You can tell each other all day long that’s why I say it’s not a “scam” but if you compare apples to apples and get apples, I don’t see the discrepency. And I think I saw a fair comparison from Golden Key, which is a very highly regarded society. You can find the good, the bad and the ugly on anything on the internet, which I have often heard compared with a bathroom wall. I’d tell you to go ahead and compare some others, but you already admitted that you’re too lazy. But if saying I’m an undercover agent to spy on the doubters on some forum helps you puff out your chest and sleep better at night, then by all means, acuse away. I’m an environmental biologist.

For the record, I’m not saying that this honor society will help anyone GET INTO college. Some people do actually like participating in extracurricular activites, and being a part of groups, and even having access to more scholarships. I think that’s fine. People spend far more on memberships to other non-academic programs, which is also fine. I’m not calling any of them a scam either, because it’s money spent on a membership and service rendered. However, I think that being in an academic atmosphere helps a student’s drive to do well. It definitely did for me, and I know that I am not alone in that. If $60 helps in any way helps the student monetarily or academically, I think it’s fine.

Copterguy,
(I’m guessing the name refers to helicopters, which I can’t help but like, since my husband is a home-built aircraft guy and member of the EAA)
I did recieve a letter in the mail, and I did happen to notice that the graduation cords are free. You can buy other stuff too, as you can with any organization, but that’s just optional. You can show your affiliation with the free cords at your graduation.

thatelephantt,
I see that you already got in touch with some of them. However, as promised, this is the additional information I got: (and good luck to you!)

In response to your inquiry about the NSHSS Collegiate Board, please visit the following link: [The</a> National Society of High School Scholars - Student Council](<a href=“http://www.nshss.org/council/]The”>NSHSS Collegiate Council | NSHSS Leadership Programs | National Society of High School Scholars). After clicking on the link you can see a list of the Collegiate Board members’ names and school information. If you see a member that you are interested in contacting, then please forward your request to <a href="mailto:student.council@nshss.org">student.council@nshss.org</a>.

Sincerely,

Alexis R.Carter

Member Service Specialist
The National Society of High School Scholars
International Headquarters
1936 North Druid Hills Road
Atlanta , GA 30319
1-866-343-1800
<a href="mailto:susan.thurman@nshss.org">susan.thurman@nshss.org</a>
[The</a> National Society of High School Scholars](<a href=“http://www.nshss.org%5DThe”>http://www.nshss.org)

EmberC · February 3, 2011, 11:30am

MommaJ, I agree that People to People is kind of expensive. But have you tried to figure out how much it would be if you added in everything they do everyday? It’s absolutely packed; you couldn’t beat it.

But you’re right, the Eisenhower family is probably strapped for cash, and although they’re embarressed by the association, they do it for the travel perks.

pittsmom · February 3, 2011, 9:35pm

EmberC - sorry if my synopsis was not quite up to your liking…but no reason to make ad hominen attacks. I was respectful of your views…one would expect the same respect in return. Others on this board have also tolerated your “cheerleading” without insulting your intelligence…perhaps you might find the maturity to do the same.

Trust me - I can read - as can the rest of us. The poster asked - and I quote - “So do you think they made up the names or the names of the schools?” Those were her words, not mine.

But it doesn’t surprise me that when one doesn’t like the facts that are presented, s/he resorts to personal attacks. I’m sure everyone who is reading this thread realizes at this point that your are a shill for NSHSS. I’ve done my part to warn people to save their money from this lottery…because Copterguy hit the nail right on the head. That’s exactly what NSHSS is - assuming one is actually considering paying $60 for the opportunity to “win” one of their scholarships.

People - save your money. There are plenty of scholarships out there that you can apply for free! You will gain nothing by participating in this organization - other than a chance at a lottery ticket - or being insulted by “alumni” like EmberC.

MommaJ · February 4, 2011, 12:04am

EmberC, I am quite familiar with the pluses (nice tours) and minuses (very misleading sales tactics) of the People to People program, since my child took one of their summer trips to Europe. (Did yours?) And I’m quite certain that Mary Eisenhower is paid handsomely to be its President and CEO. My point was that one cannot evaluate the bona fides or value of any organization by reading a list of famous names on their website–not that I think anyone on the CC community is that easily bamboozled.

As I’ve said, you’ve gone way overboard in shilling for NSHSS, the latest example being your claims that membership constitutes an “extracurricular activity” and equates to “being in an academic atmosphere [that] helps a student’s drive to do well.” Gimme a break.

I do hope you ARE associated with NSHSS. Since joining CC a few days ago, all but one of your 15 posts have been about NSHSS, and you have defended the organization exhaustively. So if you aren’t a principal, employee, or retained PR firm, you are one obsessed environmental biologist. (Do give my regards to John006a, previous NSHSS shill, who joined CC last spring, contributed only three posts, all defending the fantabulousness of NSHSS, and then disappeared.)

pittsmom · February 4, 2011, 12:34am

You are spot on MommaJ. I find it interesting - and curious - that 93.3% of EmberC’s post have been in defense of NSHSS. (As an aside, EmberC has issues with percentages…making 2.7% a 27% in previous posts.) S/he pops out of nowhere - primarily to defend that thread.

I’m curious EmberC - why are you lurking on College Confidential? Do you have children who are of age to be looking at colleges? If yes, do tell. What grade(s) are they in? What are their stats? SAT? ACT? What colleges are they interested in???

But let’s get back to basics:
Just on the membership fees alone last year, this society earned over $4.8 million…and it only dished out $133,000 in scholarships. You do the math and decide.

For those, like EmberC, who aren’t big on percentages - the amount of scholarships awarded is only 2.7% of the amount NSHSS collected in the $60 fees from students.

Copterguy · February 4, 2011, 12:54am

EmberC, even though the letter says the cord is free, it’s actually included in the membership. So it’s $60 for a cord. The medallion is an extra $15 and the “Leopold NSHSS official mascot, 10” stuffed lion" is $13. Cute doll.

I don’t have problems with people making up societies and others joining them. And if it feels good to have your Leopold doll, go for it. I just don’t appreciate the following line in the letter:

"As you prepare your university applications, you may list your selection and membership in the Society as one of your significant accomplishments. According to NSHSS scholarship recipient Rob Wheeler, “I would never have had the opportunity to study aeronautics and physics at a school like MIT, had it not been for NSHSS.”

Now it may be that Mr. Wheeler received a substantial scholarship from NSHSSSSS, but placing that statement after the sentence related to applications implies that it helped with admission.

I actually think it would be interesting to follow the money trail of NSHSSSSSSS. Have any congressmen received donations? Have any universities received donations – as in $5K for the endowment?

EmberC · February 4, 2011, 1:30am

Pittsmom,
Actually, what happened is that I got on here and in my very first post pointed out the difference between a scholarship and an honor society. Apparently you and MommaJ had already appointed yourselves the “scam” experts, so then you both started personally attacking me. So I totally disagree that you treated my opinion with any respect at all. As soon as I said it wasn’t a scam, you went back and forth making false claims and accusations about why I think it’s okay to join a society for membership benefits. That’s not respectful at all, so please get off your high horse. I’ve only been equally repectful of yours, after being personally attacked and accused over and over again about why I hold a different opinion. And again, MommaJ, read these words clearly, I’m not affiliated. If you want to start being respectful now, then stop making false accusations for one.

And now you’re reprimanding me and saying you hope I AM affiliated because all my posts have been about NSHSS when, in one of my posts I addressed Golden Key, and you, Pittsmom got all bent out of shape because “We’re not talking about Golden Key. We’re talking about NSHSS.” So I said, okay, let’s talk about NSHSS. So pick a side.

And yes, SHE asked if I thought the names were made up. I said no, they’re not. Then you said “WOW! You aren’t in any way affiliated with NSHSS, yet you called the headquarters to ask if the reciepients are real or made up?” and that is what I was saying you need to read more carefully because your response didn’t make sense to what I said.

Lottery, as taken directly from Doctionary.com:

<ol>
<li>a gambling game or method of raising money for some public charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes. </li>
<li>any scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance. </li>
<li>any happening or process that is or appears to be determined by chance: to look upon life as a lottery. </li>
</ol>

In no way does this define a membership fee to an organization for member benefits. Again, I will state, if you’re only concerned with scholarships, then apply to scholarships. No magic fairy is coming to your door with a pile of money just because you sent in your acceptance letter and $60.
You have a chance to apply for the scholarships offered directly by the society, this is true. But it is not the only benefit offered. I don’t understand your complete disregard for the fact that all societies offer a number of other benefits besides scholarships.
Scholarships all have a selection process. The names of the winners are not picked out of a hat, and won through chance.

And yeah, MommaJ, she did a summer abroad with People to People. So I guess that makes us equal authorities on the subject. My point is that I’m sure the Eisenhower estate isn’t suffering badly enough to be associated with a program that apparently you decided they’re embarressed by for the perks, as you claimed.
And yes, honor societies do offer extracirricular activites. I don’t know what’s hard to understand about this simple fact, but earning a scholarship is not the only benefit of any honor society.
You are correct: BEING a member isn’t an extracirricular activity, of course. I never said it was. I said they OFFER extracurricular activites for students. You both seem to be fixated on scholarships, in which case, go ahead and apply to a million scholarships. With or without membership. It can’t be more simple than that.

Yes, there is a correlation with students who do extremely well in school, and those who spend time in scholastic environments. And yes, it is my firm opinion that being in an academic atmosphere, especially an encouraging and rewarding one, helps students do well. From your admitted decision to do no research before your previous posts, to the fact that your acronym spelled ASSS, which is not a word (perhaps Association for Scholastically Sensational and Exceptional Seniors (ASSES) or Association for Sensational Seniors (ASS) would have been better thought out) your “gimme a break” attitude toward scholastic involvement and achievement does not come as a surprise to me.

I can only speak from my own experience, and that’s exactly where any of our opinions come from.
I was at the top of my classes throughout my entire school career. In elementary school I received top scores across the board, including scoring at the top of the nation in almost all categories upon graduation. I received an award for being the only student to never miss a day at the school; I actually liked going and being involved. I find a correlation there.
In Jr high and high school I stayed at the top of my class, including the top ten list at my high school. I then graduated Magna cum Laude from one of the Best National Universities, as listed by U.S. News and World Report, and went on with a 4.0 in all my grad classes. Forgive me, but all I can do is give my opinion on my own experiences, and of those I saw around me. I was surrounded by exceptional students who gave much of their time to their university by choice. So yes, I believe that an atmosphere of academic excellence does attribute to students wanting to excell.

And if posting a reply to you makes me obsessive, then you and Pittsmom fall right alongside in that OCD category, because if no one was writing back attacking me for my difference of opinion, then I’d have nothing to reply to now would I?

EmberC · February 4, 2011, 1:40am

Copterguy,
All societies require a membership, and all of them give free cords. I obviously don’t know how far back your day was, but all of the extra merchandise from other societies cost extra, medallions included, and have since I was in school.

And as your prepare for college apps, you may list it. Some people like to do that. That guy probably did get a scholarship. Maybe a Cleas Nobel for $5,000, pretty significant money. Who knows. I’m sure he’s a real guy and he most likely said that. The society helped him, so they can put it in their letter.

This may come as a shock, but we received a letter for my daughter to join, and we didn’t. Without any prodding from her parents, she has spent her extra time and taken extra classes to graduate before her senior year, and I don’t think we’d use any of the benefits. If I thought that the only benefit of joining was to add it to the bottom of a college app, we’d have joined. But I agree, that’s not what it’s about.

pittsmom · February 4, 2011, 7:02am

EmberC - please re-read my posts. I never said NSHSS was a scam. You kept using that word. I simply questioned its math. I never made personal attacks against you. I simply pointed out that you are shill for NSHSS. The only one here attacking individuals is you.

But I want to stay on point. Just on the membership fees alone last year, this society earned over $4.8 million…and it only dished out $133,000 in scholarships.

Copterguy · February 4, 2011, 11:01am

EmberC, I understand that some people on this thread support this Society. Certainly any students who have received scholarships or gone to events and found them useful will think this is a worthwhile organization.

My point about cords is that when students receive a cord at graduation if it’s from the school it’s usually given to the student as a recognition of his or her accomplishments. It’s been some years since I graduated from high school and got a medallion, but I do know that at some college commencements students who graduate cum laude still receive free cords. A lot of academic honors are bestowed without requesting a fee.

This particular group raises some questions for me. Pittsmom and MommaJ and others earlier on have made really good points, and that is why I find this thread informative.

National society of high school scholars

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