National Society of High School Scholars - Worth it?

I recently received an invitation to join the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). I know there's also the National Honor Society (NHS), so I'm a bit confused about the difference between them. Is NSHSS worth joining, and will it help my college applications?

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is different from the National Honor Society (NHS) in a few ways. NHS is a more well-known organization, usually affiliated with schools, and focuses on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. NSHSS is a membership-based organization that offers scholarships and other benefits to its members, but it's not directly tied to your school. Many students are invited to join NSHSS after meeting specific academic criteria.

When it comes to the impact on your college applications, NHS holds more weight, as it is more widely recognized and highlights your qualifications in academics, leadership, and community service. Joining NSHSS won't hurt your applications, but it won't help them either, as it's not very selective. For most people, it's not worth the membership fee. You can read more here: https://blog.collegevine.com/is-nshss-legitimate-or-a-scam

That being said, participating in one or both societies shouldn't be the only focus in your applications. Colleges place a greater emphasis on other factors, such as your academic performance, test scores, personal essays, and extracurricular activities, to assess your overall qualifications as an applicant. I hope this was helpful!