Joining NSHSS: Worth it?

I received an invitation to join the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and I'm unsure if I should join. Is it worth the membership fee and will it improve my college application?

It's understandable that you're considering the benefits of joining NSHSS, as many students wonder if it'll have a positive impact on their college applications. Here are some points to consider before making a decision:

1. College Application Impact: NSHSS is often considered a pay-to-play honor society, meaning you have to pay a membership fee to join. While it's not a scam, it also doesn't hold much weight on college applications as it's not very selective. Admissions officers might not view it as a significant achievement compared to more selective honor societies or other, more substantial accomplishments.

2. Networking and Resources: NSHSS does offer some resources, such as scholarships and networking opportunities. However, you can often find similar resources through other organizations or your school's guidance counselor, which might be more tailored to your interests and might not require a membership fee.

3. Hard to Be Dedicated: Because NSHSS is mostly just membership-based, it doesn't offer the same opportunity other extracurriculars do to pursue leadership and demonstrate a deeper level of commitment. Instead of joining organizations like NSHSS, focusing on high-quality extracurricular activities can have a much greater impact on your college application.

All in all, I wouldn't recommend joining NSHSS because it won't bring significant improvement to your college application. However, it can offer some benefits like networking and scholarships if you decide it's worth the fee. Ultimately, it's essential to gauge how valuable these benefits are to you before deciding.