<p>Does membership in NHS make a difference at Penn? Are all U.S. accepted applicants members of NHS (which typically includes the top 20% of a HS class?)</p>
<p>NHS = National Honor Society</p>
<p>I hope it doesn’t. NHS at my school was a joke. Since you only need a 3.75 to join, I doubt Penn cares too much whether you are in it or not. Participation in activities as a whole, whether that means NHS or not, is what really matters (I think). </p>
<p>Penn has so many opportunities to serve, which is another reason why I love it here.</p>
<p>It helped me, I was NHS President – but I think other factors weigh more in your application. Be sure to list NHS anyway!</p>
<p>Almost everyone who applies to ivies are in NHS. It doesn’t make an impact because it is not special or unique at all. It’s only slightly significant if you have an officer position or are super involved in it… which most people are so so on that. Plus not all people with 4.0 gpas and tons of leadership accept the invitation to NHS because they think it is overrated. (At my school you are only allowed straight A’s or one B to join. Even a B in a stupid class like physical education counts.) A handful of qualified people declined the invitation to NHS in my school, and they certainly have the qualifications to enter any prestigious university or ivy league they want to. </p>
<p>So no, not all US applicants are NHS members. Obviously, not every school in the USA even has a chapter of NHS.</p>
<p>It’s a small feather in your cap, but I would say the main reason to do it is because it would look suspect not to.</p>
<p>Oh man. I applied ED and put NHS on my app and send it in. the nexst day, I find out I have benn voted president of NHS. I am so mad cuz i didn’t get to put it on my app. </p>
<p>all ED: we find out on friday at 3 pm!!!</p>
<p>I didn’t have any distinctions in NHS and it didn’t hurt me. I think, as others have said, many many kids in Penn were in NHS. It shouldn’t help or hurt you too much.</p>