<p>Just a quick question…I received the “Ap Scholar” award recently-- does this count as an “international award” on the common application?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance !</p>
<p>Also, does membership as a Ventures Scholar and National Society of High School Scholars qualify as an “honors”/award?</p>
<p>What about a certificate from toastmasters?</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of AP Scholar being considered International, but other posters may have different opinions on this. </p>
<p>Yes, put Venture Scholar as an honor/award, it is a valid program. I’d advise against putting down NSHSS as it’s really more of a commercial business verging on being a scam than a real award. Do a Search here on CC to see what people think.</p>
<p>It depends on what the Toastmasters certificate says, is it an award or a certificate of participation?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure admissions people know about AP Scholar and similar awards, so just choose a category and move on.</p>
<p>Well, the toastmasters certificate is just a certificate of completion…but during the program I got an award for “Best-Impromptu” speech…if this was done over the summer how should I classify this award? Toastmasters is an international group but it’s not like I was competing against kids from other countries…</p>
<p>Well did people from all around the nation come to the program or was it a regional/local thing? I don’t know why so many people have problems with this, if an award alone is going to get you in, then most likely the admissions committee will know about it.</p>
<p>Well it’s not like i’m flipping out right now about this question. But, since I don’t know the answer, I thought it reasonable to ask.</p>
<p>I’ve done research on NSHSS and there’s a lot of people that denounce it…but a lot that say its legit. If anyone has any info on this program it would help!</p>
<p>From the NSHSS website:</p>
<p>"How do I qualify for membership?</p>
<p>A student must be a 2nd semester sophomore, junior, or senior in high school with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better. "</p>
<p>AND</p>
<p>“3. Membership Fee:”</p>
<p>So, if you’re applying to schools where a 3.5 gpa would be looked upon as a significant honor, NSHSS might be OK to list. However, IMO any organization with a membership fee is suspect.</p>
<p>so for schools like UC Berkeley and LA should I not even mention it? (As well as stanford/ivies of course) </p>
<p>The requirements aren’t very selective…but I do believe that you can only become a member by invitation-- does this redeem it at all?</p>
<p>For the final time, NO it does not redeem it, AOs know all about NSHSS and will discount it like they do Who’s Who and all of the expensive summer travel programs that send you fancy invitations because you’re so “special”. These are top colleges you’re talking about, including Cal and UCLA, and NSHSS isn’t going to make an impression at any of them.</p>
<p>Thanks Entomom! So…I think I’ve decided this…Ventures Scholar can be considered national, ap scholar should probably be state(maybe national) and I’ll disregard NSHSS completely.</p>
<p>Sounds good, AP scholar can be national.</p>
<p>how high an honor is Ventures scholars exactly?</p>