Hey all, just a quick question: does anyone know how many students are part of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)? I'm wondering if it's a pretty big organization or if it's more on the selective side. Thanks!
Hi there! The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is quite a large organization, with over a million members worldwide. Although it may appear to have several benefits such as networking opportunities, scholarships, and events, it's important to know that it is not considered highly selective by colleges and universities, and you can often find similar benefits through other avenues.
In terms of extracurriculars and honors, NSHSS falls under Tier 4, which is the most common and least impressive tier in the eyes of college admissions officers. This is mainly because the academic requirements for joining are relatively loose, making it more of a "pay-to-play" organization rather than a truly selective one. You can read more about extracurricular tiers, and activities that would fall into higher tiers, on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities.
If you're looking for ways to make your college application more competitive, it's best to focus on activities that demonstrate passion, leadership, and commitment in a specific area, rather than simply joining an organization like NSHSS just because. A higher level of investment is more attractive to colleges, as it showcases your genuine interests and talents.
Good luck with your extracurricular experiences!
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