Is this membership worth it or is it a scam?

[windycitymom]

One son has received an invitation to join the "The National Society of High School Scholars". He was nominated by his teacher. The cost to join is a one-time membership fee of $45.

My other son in college received an invitation to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. There is is one-time membership fee of $75.

I'm inclined to blow it off as a money-making scheme, but I want to know if anyone else has joined this and is it worth it? There is talk of opportunity for scholarships, internship possibilities, etc. Will this look good on a resume? What would you do if your child received this?
Pitch or Pay?

 

[HunnyPots]

I think your instict is right. Their list of "scholars" is really just a list of people willing to pay to have their name in a book. My son was supposedly nominated as well. Yeah, sure - he's a c+ student at best and not exactly honors material (but he's still a great kid ) but he's listed among "national scholars"? Keep your money...

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I wouldn't actually pay to join these things. They don't hold much clout. Some employers tell you not to list them on resumes; some colleges won't accept it as an activity.

But, some of them do give you discounts and "member benefits"... so if those appeal to you... or if your sons just want to say they're in it. If I recall NSCS gave some pretty decent discounts on travel.

Otherwise, ehhhh, there are better honor societies. Unless it actually meets as a bonafide organization in the school, with the honors that go along with it at graduation or an induction ceremony, I don't know that it would mean a thing to them. If they would plan on being involved, ie, if there is an active chapter that does things, then perhaps.

 

[senoragilbert]

Just so you know, the teacher nomination thing is the biggest honor. I get these things in my mailbox and it looks pretty above-board, they want you to nominate kids for this recognition. But it's basically like Who's Who. If he wants to put it on a resume, just say he was nominated. Paying to be in the book (and the mugs, books, t-shirts and other junk) is how they make the big bucks!!!

So be proud that your child was nominated, but you don't have to spend a dime if you don't want to!

 

[AnnaS]

My son was also nominated a few years ago while in high school and I thought it was a scam/money making business - I remember thinking they could have not been talking about my son. He was and is a great "kid". Was very athletic in high school. Played basketball and baseball, ran indoor/outdoor track, cross country (would have joined more sports if he could) but he did not do that great academically - needless to say, we did not pay to join the "list".

 

[MELSMICE]

My DD's have been nominated also, however, we opted not to join the list.

 

[lovepurple]

My daughter was nominated also. But she is only in the seventh grade. I am not sure how she got on the mailing list, but I think it is just a money making scheme.

 

[Aliceacc]

Total SCAM!!!!

You get into the book for free. But who wants to be IN a book if you don't have a copy of it??? So of course you'll WANT to buy the book-- it was $30 the last time I heard, it's probably a lot more now.

Some of the worst students I've ever taught have been nominated. No colleges take this stuff seriously.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It sounds like "Who's Who among American High School Students". My parents paid for me to be in that when I was graduating. Anybody who pays can be in there - no academic success required!

DS is being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society tonight. It is free.

 

[Aliceacc]

DS is being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society tonight. It is free.

And THAT, on the other hand, is a big deal. Congrats to your son!

 

[audrabolster]

total scam. you recieve a letter in the mail saying you were nominated by a teacher, and no name is given- of course it is a letter sent out to everyone graduating. There is no additional opportunities or scholarships just because you are on this list.

 

[ekmom]

DS received the college one a few weeks ago. I was suspicious since he has about a 3.4 average and his sister who is 3 years older and has a much higher GPA never received it. After googling it and reading the info out there, we concluded that it wasn't worth $75.

 

[ceecee]

DH husband keeps getting these cards to be put in a book with other Eagle Scouts! This has been many years ago, he suspected they would want to sell you the book as well. His University that he graduated from does that too. They compile info on each student and then try to sell you the alumni book and it cost $150.00. If you say no to that there's a cheaper paperback version.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Scam, scam, scam. College don't care if you get in (I was in Who's Who in HS and College). Employers REALLY don't care after you graduate college. it's not like that goes on your resume. So not worth the $75.

 

[mum4jenn]

Scam scam scam. Just like Poetry.com. YOu can write any sort of nonsense and all of a sudden you are nominated for all the awards for your poetry....IF you pay all these silly fees!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

My son just got that mail too. It went into the shredder.