The National Society of High School Scholars: Evaluating Legitimacy and Controversy

The National Society of High School Scholars - An Overview

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is an organization that recognizes academic excellence among high school students. According to its website, NSHSS "identifies top students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment". The organization claims to have inducted over 1.7 million student members since its founding in 2002.

Students cannot apply for membership in NSHSS - they are invited to join based on their academic performance. Specifically, students are invited if they have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher or score in the top 10% on college admissions tests like the SAT or ACT. Inducted members receive a membership kit that includes a certificate and lapel pin, are eligible for various scholarships, and gain access to career and networking resources.

The Debate: Is NSHSS Legitimate or a Scam?

There has been an ongoing debate about whether NSHSS is a legitimate honor society or simply an organization running a scam to make money from students and parents. Here are some key points on both sides of the argument:

Arguments That NSHSS is Legitimate:

• NSHSS is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A rating. The organization meets BBB standards in areas like transparency, honoring promises, and responsiveness.
• Over 300 colleges and universities officially recognize membership in NSHSS. Some schools even offer scholarships specifically for NSHSS members.
• NSHSS provides various benefits to student members, including scholarships, career resources, volunteer opportunities, and discounted admission to partner institutions.
• The student membership criteria of a 3.5+ GPA or top 10% test scores indicates that NSHSS inducts high-achieving scholars.
• Many students and parents report having positive experiences with NSHSS and benefiting from the networking and scholarship opportunities.

Arguments That NSHSS is a Scam:

• NSHSS has been criticized for misleading marketing practices that imply it is an official "National Honor Society" when it is not affiliated with the National Honor Society or NHS.
• The membership criteria allow NSHSS to induct a very large number of students each year, making it seem less elite/exclusive. Critics argue NSHSS is more about making money from membership fees than recognizing excellence.
• Some argue the benefits of membership are not worthwhile compared to the cost. For example, the scholarships offered are often small awards.
• There have been complaints about NSHSS sending repetitive mailings soliciting upgrades to more expensive membership packages.
• While NSHSS has a BBB accreditation, it also has over 130 complaints filed against it with the BBB, mainly regarding billing/fee issues.

Conclusion

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this debate. Some students have found value in NSHSS membership and been recognized for their academic achievements. However, parents and students should be aware of the concerns around aggressive marketing tactics and providing their contact information. Thorough research is advised to determine if the benefits warrant the cost of membership. While not an official honor society, NSHSS does offer some legitimate services. Interested students should carefully consider if it aligns with their academic and career goals.