Confused: Got an NSHSS letter?

Hey there, I recently received a letter from the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), and I'm not sure what to make of it. Is this a legit honor society, or should I just ignore it? Has anyone else had experience with them?

Hey! It's good that you're seeking information before deciding to join. The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a real honor society, but unfortunately, is generally not considered a prestigious honor society. Many view it as operating more as a "pay to play" program, requiring you to pay a fee to become a member. Since the academic requirements for joining NSHSS are quite loose, it won't impress college admissions officers.

To give you an idea, when colleges rank extracurriculars in terms of significance, NSHSS falls into Tier 4—which means it's the most common and least impactful. Instead of spending time and money on NSHSS, it's better to focus on improving your profile through other means, like engaging in leadership roles or meaningful community service. It's all about dedicating your resources to activities that truly demonstrate your interests and abilities.

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/

Should you receive an invitation from the National Honor Society (NHS) or other reputable honor societies, those would be more worthwhile to consider. Good luck with your college applications!