Society of High School Scholars?

Hi! So I just got an invitation to join the Society of High School Scholars (SHSS) and I'm not really sure if it's worth it. Have any of you guys joined this? Does it offer legit benefits or is it just another one of those organizations that don't actually help when applying to colleges?

Hi! I understand that it can be tough to gauge the worthiness of an organization like Society of High School Scholars (SHSS), especially when college applications are on your mind. To be candid, joining SHSS might not provide you with any significant boost when it comes to your college applications.

SHSS is often compared to National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), which is considered a "pay-to-play" organization that doesn't hold much weight in the college admissions process. It's a Tier 4 extracurricular activity, meaning it's a fairly common honor that doesn't show any unique accomplishment or strong involvement. For more on the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities/

When it comes to your college applications, admissions officers value activities and achievements that demonstrate leadership, passion, and commitment. These qualities are better showcased through deeply involved extracurriculars or accomplishments that demonstrate your dedication to a specific field. Instead of focusing on organizations like SHSS, you might want to invest your time and energy into activities that genuinely interest you and can lead to significant achievements or deeper involvement.

Of course, joining SHSS might provide you with some opportunities for networking or personal growth, but it's essential to weigh the costs (such as membership fees) and the time commitment against other potential uses of your time and money. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if joining SHSS is worth it, but keep in mind that colleges typically look for depth of involvement and dedication to a few key areas rather than just a collection of membership titles.