When it comes to organizations that are dedicated to making a difference in the students’ lives, it goes without saying that NSHSS is hands down one of the best organizations out there.
For those that aren’t aware, NSHSS stands for National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and is an esteemed organization that’s focused on recognizing the highest achieving students academically.
Despite all the good talks that surround this organization, there are a lot of people questioning its authenticity. If you are one of those people that have been wondering whether or not NSHSS is a legit organization, this article will explore it all.
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What is NSHSS?
NSHSS or the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is an organization founded in 2002 that recognizes the academic excellence of students and provides them with relevant resources that helps them grow as an individual.
The organization was founded by the grand-nephew of Alfred Nobel. Ever since its inception, the platform has gained global recognition, bringing in over 2 million members onboard. It is connected with 26,000+ schools spread across 170 countries.
What are the Eligibility Criteria to Become a Member of NSHSS?
If you want to become a member of NSHSS, there are some set rules and eligibility criteria that one needs to prioritize and pay close attention to. Some of them include:
- GPA of 3.5 or higher
- SAT score of 1280 or higher
- PSAT score of 1150 or higher
- ACT score of 26 or higher
- AP exam score of 4 or higher
- IB tests of 36 or higher
- Be in the top 10% of the class
If you tick off all these individual eligibility criteria, you can qualify to become a member of NSHSS without any issues. Also, interested and qualifying students have to pay $75 as a one-time membership fee to enroll on the platform.
Is NSHSS The Same as NHS?
Before you think that NSHSS and NHS are the same, they aren’t. If you aren’t aware of what NHS stands for in this case, we are talking about the National Honor Society.
Although the two of these organizations have a very similar name to them, there are a lot of differences when it comes to their operation.
Compared to NSHSS, getting into NHS is a lot tougher and the eligibility criteria for the latter are a lot stricter. Also, NHS has been operational for a longer period compared to NSHSS.
More than the academic resources, NHS focuses on helping students figure out what they love doing outside the classroom. This includes school or community service, working with charitable donations, etc.
Also, the membership cost of NHS is free. You don’t need to pay for anything, provided that you qualify for the membership.
Is NSHSS A Legit Organization?
Before you reach your conclusions thinking that NSHSS is a scam organization, it isn’t. The organization is certified by Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, so you know that its operations are legit.
However, certain factors behind the operations of NSHSS have led to people think that something might not be right.
- The most common striking point is the similarity in the name with NHS. This has led to people thinking that the former is either NHS or associated with NHS, which is a much older and more established organization.
- When you are invited by NSHSS to become a member, they mention the high school’s name on the invitation letter, which has led to people thinking that the organization is being endorsed by the respective schools.
- The one-time membership fee isn’t refundable and given how big the organization is, even that charge seems sketchy. Also, the fees don’t translate well into bringing many different opportunities for the students, further sparking a light bulb in people’s minds about the legitimacy of the company.
Owing to some of these individual factors, people are now inclining more towards NHS instead of relying on NSHSS.
What are some Common Misconceptions about NSHSS?
Albeit the reviews posted by some of the members, you can’t deny the fact that NSHSS is an operational organization that has helped students out with scholarships and college acceptance.
Some of the misconceptions associated with the said organization include:
Scholarships – NSHSS doesn’t offer scholarships directly. This is hands down one of the most common misconceptions that people have. That said, the organization will connect the students to several scholarship opportunities that they have to apply for to avail the financial aid or assistance.
Boosting career prospects – The membership of NSHSS alone isn’t guaranteed to be a resume booster, contrary to popular belief. If you are relying solely on it to get entry into colleges, that’s not how things work.
Will Joining NSHSS Improve College Chances?
NSHSS, as we mentioned, isn’t a resume booster. So, if you are solely relying on this membership to get yourself into one of the leading colleges in the country, that’s not how it works.
There are four tiers present in the organization – Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4.
The highest tiers are Tier 1 and 2 and Tier 3 and 4 are the lower tiers. If you want to enhance your chances of getting into a college through NSHSS, the students in Tier 1 and 2 often have a higher chance compared to students in Tier 3 and 4.
Conclusion
If you have been wondering about the popularity of NSHSS and how it functions, we hope this article gives you all the insights that you need. The organization is legit but there are a few factors associated with it that make people question its authenticity.
