Is NSHSS a scam?
NSHSS is a legitimate business, but some think it’s not worth the cost. The NSHSS was founded in 2002 to recognize academic excellence, and they offer members exclusive benefits once they join. However, there are many people who believe that most college admissions overlook NSHSS memberships and that there are not enough benefits for the cost. The NSHSS is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.
Benefits of Joining NSHSS
Exclusive lifetime membership When you become a member of NSHSS, you keep your membership through high school, college, and after so you continue having access to the other perks. You’ll get a membership invite in the mail or your email if you meet one of the following criteria: 3.5 cumulative GPA (88 on a 100-point scale) or higher 1280 SAT score or higher 1150 PSAT score or higher 26 ACT score or higher 4 or higher on an AP exam 36 or higher on combined IB test scores A or higher on the IGCSE Top 10% rank in your class
Access to scholarships & grants NSHSS offers exclusive scholarships to their members that are normally not available anywhere else. They also have the Be More Grant that you can apply for if you’re developing an entrepreneurial product or service. These scholarships and grants can help you save on college tuition.
Member webinars & networking events NSHSS has members-only virtual and in-person events to help you prep for college and careers in the future. These events include professional speakers, college or job fairs, and help with your application.
Opportunities for leadership programs and study abroad programs The NSHSS has ambassador and collegiate council programs that you can join for added opportunities in the organization. These leadership programs also can boost your application or resume to show that you’re driven to succeed. Some programs also allow you to study abroad with a host family, which can also make your college applications look better.
Discounted ACT and SAT prep If you want to feel prepared for the ACT or SAT, NSHSS members get discounts to online courses that guide you through the material. That way, you can save even more money and improve your scores on the tests.
Negatives of Joining NSHSS
Membership requirements are lower than other honors programs. While other honors programs have a set of requirements you must meet, NSHSS only requires you to meet one of the criteria to get invited. Some users claim that this means a lot of people are sent membership offers and it may not be as prestigious as it’s made out to be.
You have to pay a membership fee. The NSHSS charges a one-time $90 USD fee when you first become a member. Some users are unhappy with having to pay and feel like they aren’t getting their money’s worth when they can finally access the perks. There is a possibility to get your membership fee waived if you’re in financial need, like if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, or participate in the National School Lunch Program. While you don’t have to pay any fees when you apply for scholarships the NSHSS offers, some people argue that you can find scholarships on your own without having to pay a membership fee.
Scholarship applications are too competitive. While the NSHSS has exclusive scholarship offers for members, users have noticed that high-value scholarships have a lot of applicants. Because there are more people applying for each scholarship on the site, some members are frustrated that the scholarships they want are unavailable. According to the NSHSS site, you may only win 1 scholarship per calendar year.
Events are crowded or not worth it. A few users who have gone to in-person NSHSS events have not been satisfied with their quality and how crowded they become. Because the events are only in specific cities or locations, some users have trouble affording to travel to them.
Schools may not recognize NSHSS memberships. Some users claim that because there are many members in the NSHSS, universities may not take it into consideration if you include it on your college application. Before starting an NSHSS membership, talk to your school’s guidance counselor and universities you’re interested in to see if they take NSHSS into consideration for applications.
NSHSS vs. NHS
The NSHSS and NHS are both honor programs that offer scholarships. The National Honors Society (NHS) is another program that recognizes academic excellence and leadership. Similar to the NSHSS, the NHS offers their members exclusive scholarships and programs that can make your college applications more enticing.
The NHS has stricter membership requirements. The NSHSS has a broad set of requirements, and you only need to meet one of them to be invited to the organization. The NHS on the other hand has 4 strict requirements that you must maintain to become a member: Maintaining a 3.0 GPA or a B-average, though it may be higher depending on your NHS chapter Doing community service for a set amount of time by the local chapter Taking leadership responsibilities at school or in your community Having good character and a clean disciplinary record
NHS fees are covered by your school. Because the NSHSS is an individual membership, you must pay the one-time membership fee on your own. Local NHS chapters are run by schools in your area, so they cover the larger fees of the organization. Some NHS chapters ask members to pay smaller fees each year, but these are usually only around $20-40 USD.
NHS memberships are more recognized on college applications. NHS has been around for over 100 years while the NSHSS was only founded in 2002. Because the NHS is older and has stricter requirements to become a member, many college admissions offices like seeing it on your application because they know you’ll be a good student.
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