Students can receive a number of scholarships through NSHSS, an organization whose services can only be accessed by registered subscribers. Is It Worthwhile to Join NSHSS? Honours organizations include the National Society of High School Scholars. While some people confuse it for the NHS, it’s crucial to remember that while they share many of the same purposes and goals, they are two associations.
What is National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
The National Society of High School Scholars is an honors society. While some people mistake it for NHS, it’s important to note that, while both have the same goals and objectives, they are two different entities. NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) is a members-only organization that provides students access to a variety of scholarships.
Fields the scholarships NSHSS covers can range anywhere from STEM, art, writing, leadership, advocacy, environmental sustainability to diversity. Thanks to its partners, NSHSS is said to generate more than $2 million in scholarship funding per year, which is shared by some of its 1.7 million plus members.
A brief history
In 2002, the National Society of High School Scholars was founded by James Lewis and Claes Nobel — if the latter’s name sounds familiar, it’s because of the fact that he’s related to the founder of the prestigious Nobel Prizes. Continuing the family’s legacy of recognizing and rewarding excellence was the primary goal.
The mission of NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) is simple: to recognize academic excellence as well as to encourage its members to apply their unique talents, vision, and potential for bettering themselves and the world, too. The organization aims to provide a range of resources supporting transitions not only from high school to college but also from college to profession.
How NSHSS Finds Members
The National Honor Society finds members by allowing high schools to define membership eligibility requirements, albeit some of them must align with the national eligibility requirements set by NHS itself, and their teachers to nominate candidates. Nominated individuals may then fill out and submit the membership form for evaluation.
It’s a slightly different thing for the National Society of High School Scholars. When it comes to recruiting members, NSHSS works directly with high school principals and teachers — their assistance is sought by the honors society in identifying students who may be qualified to join.
Those who meet the eligibility requirements are sent invitations by NSHSS. It is estimated that around 100,000 new high schoolers join the organization per year. Since not all of those who get invited actually join, especially since it’s not free, it’s safe to assume that the organization sends out hundreds of thousands of invitations yearly.
Eligibility requirements
Almost 10 criteria are used by the National Society of High School Scholars in order to determine which nominated high schooler is eligible to join and which one isn’t. But it’s important to keep in mind that becoming accepted into the honors society requires you to meet only at least one of those.
Let’s take a look at one of the things you must meet to get an invitation to join NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars):
- GPA of at least 3.5
- Grade of at least 88 on a 100-point scale
- PSAT score of at least 1150
- SAT score of at least 1280
- ACT score of at least 26
- AP exam score of 4 or higher
- IB exam score of 36 or higher
- IGCSE exam grade of A
- Being in the top 10% of the class
While an NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) membership is lifetime, students must be nominated while still in high school in order for them to be eligible to receive an offer to join the organization.
Is the NSHSS worth joining?
In the opinion of the College Transitions team, NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars is not worth the $75 membership fee. We do not recommend that students ever pay for membership in an honor society. While they do offer many legitimate scholarship avenues to members, we would never even recommend applying to any singular scholarship opportunity that requires an entry fee. The same applies to the multitude of scholarship opportunities through the NSHSS.
NSHSS Scholarship Awards
Each year, more than $2 million in scholarships are awarded by NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) and its partners. These grants may be used to offset a student’s tuition costs at any accredited institution or university in the globe. Every one of our members may benefit from one of our scholarships since they span a wide range of subjects, including leadership, activism, STEM, art, diversity, sustainable development, writing, and much more.
Additionally, one won’t have to compete with the entire globe simply to be considered for the prize because a number of our scholarships are exclusively available to NSHSS members.
Free webinars and online conferences
Frequent FREE webinars and online events are offered by NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) and its partners in an effort to aid students in preparation for college and professions. We are committed to giving students the tools and knowledge they need to advance throughout these unheard-of moments in their lives.
Students and their parents may learn more about the subjects that interest them the most by attending webinars on writing college applications, getting scholarships, paying for college, financial literacy, basic safety measures during COVID-19, and a wide range of other topics. These seminars and events are absolutely worth attending, yet unless you are a member, you won’t receive email notifications about them.
Personal Events and Awards
Our in-person member activities happen both before and after COVID on college and business campuses around the country. Interactive seminars, college and job fairs, mentor roundtables, a member appreciation ceremony, and much more are all included in these events.
The NSHSS not only takes the time to formally acknowledge our members’ academic accomplishments, but also facilitates connections between students and professionals from top universities and organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, CIA, and Columbia University and scholars. Scholar’s Day, the Society’s greatest annual event, sees over 1,400 students, parents, and educators congregate in Washington, D.C., for two days of networking, dining, and other activities.
Student Exchange Initiatives
Members of NSHSS have access to a variety of study and educational travel opportunities abroad, allowing them to discover new places like Sweden during the NSHSS Nobel Week or secure financial aid to volunteer abroad in countries like Spain, Vietnam, Italy, France, and many more with organizations like CET. check out their scholarships page and look for CET programs and the NSHSS Nobel Week.
Leadership Initiatives
Every high school or college student, as well as a young professional, should work to develop or improve their leadership abilities. Because of this, NSHSS provides three special leadership programs tailored to each person who falls into that group. Intercollegiate Representatives and NSHSS Champions have the chance to spread the word about NSHSS in their communities or schools, offer academic advice and suggestions to other participants and prospective members. They contribute or receive help with their own initiatives from other NSHSS groups. NSHSS Fellows (NSHSS Alumni and working professionals) are also provided opportunities to network with experts from various fields and to advance their academic and professional aspirations.
Opportunities for Networking
The possibility to network and establish a group of other bright students like yourself is among the most beneficial features of NSHSS. This built-in network of students from all over the world provides possibilities and friendships that conventional school-based academic routes, such as a club or a study group, may not provide. Due to the firm NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) virtual community, one can also participate in or volunteer for other students’ projects.
Discounts
NSHSS affiliates offer a range of choices that help students transition from high school to university and from university to profession at a discounted rate, with funding required for study material, admissions advice, and other fees. Partners such as Outward Bound Costa Rica, Move38, SMARTTRACK College Funding, and many others provide NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) members with special discounts on resources, facilities, and even travel overseas prospects intended to assist students navigate or expand their educational and professional aspirations and experience.
College Preparation
NSHSS and its partners’ list of college preparation tools and opportunities are growing on a weekly basis. NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) continues to collaborate with prestigious higher education institutions whose goals connect with NSHSS’s desire to assist students in succeeding. College admissions advice, ACT/SAT prep, interning/volunteering overseas, athletic recruitment prep, and so much more are all available.
Students and their guardians may meet top college college admissions professionals at NSHSS affiliate events to talk about writing college admission application, scholarships, financial assistance packages, and other topics connected to college admissions. As an NSHSS subscriber, there are several wonderful benefits available that are well worthwhile using when you join.
Drawbacks of NSHSS
Critics contend that the NSHSS invites nearly all high school students since the requirements are so wide, which lessens the significance of the achievement. Colleges are also often wary of organizations that demand money from members.
Only students who satisfy one of the following academic requirements for membership are eligible to join the NSHSS. As a result, NSHSS membership is more exclusive and may thus be less valuable to list on your portfolio.
- PSAT score of at least 1150 and a minimum GPA of 3.5
- SAT minimum score of 1280 AP minimum score of 4
- ACT minimum score of 26
- 36 on all IB tests combined
- being in the class’s top 10%
The NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) does not, however, offer free membership like the NHS does. To join the organisation, students must pay a $75 lifetime subscription fee. However, eligible students who lack the necessary funds may apply for a fee waiver through their program.
Although they provide access to scholarships and other perks, none of them, particularly the scholarships, are guaranteed to be awarded to you. However, keep in mind that you must pay to even be considered for this scholarship, and since many individuals may obtain member status into the NSHSS(National Society of High School Scholars), there may be severe competition for it.
Conclusion
The legitimacy of the National Society of High School Scholars cannot be disputed. After all, a large portion of its more than 1.6 million members have or are receiving scholarships. Additionally, it collaborates with several local and foreign schools.
To get the chance to join the NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars), you must receive an invitation or be nominated, though. Additionally, you will be required to pay a $75 one-time membership charge. If you receive a complimentary invitation to join another honors society, such as NHS, consider the advantages of joining NSHSS first.
