National Honor Society - requirements?

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

For ours, we need at least an 85 in each class, 5 teacher recommendations, and SIX proofs of communitry service.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

It has become kind of a joke at our school... DS hasn't and won't apply even though he easily qualified as a sophomore.

The whole process is started by a student filling out the application packet - then it goes through a screening process. The induction ceremony is then held at the most inconvenient time possible - usually during sports practice. All this from a lady who preaches that we can't tear these kids in too many directions.

Can you tell I am a little bitter about this?

I am convinced it won't matter in the long run.

When I was in high school many moons ago.... you had to be nominated... and then meet all of the criteria (I believe it was top 2% of my class of 500+) grade point, service, activities, etc... and then you were in. No application process whatsoever.

I think it's crazy that there are so many different processes to gain admission.

 

[SeaSpray]

DS15 (sophomore) came home with the invitation to apply, a couple of weeks ago. He qualified ACADEMICALLY, which is why he was given the invitation to apply, but he had to fill out information listing his experiences showing leadership, community, etc. He also had to write a couple of paragraphs explaining how he exhibits those characteristics. Then they were each interviewed.

Last week, DS was notified that was accepted into the NHS, and his induction ceremony is in a couple of weeks

He filled out all of the paperwork himself, he wouldn't even let me give him advice or suggestions on what he should include. But I realized that if he did get accepted, then it would be because he did it all on his own, and that seemed to be very important to him. All he had me do was proof-read the paragraphs that he wrote, but he wouldn't change a word of it.

He was in the Junior National Honor Society when he was in middle school. For 9th grade, there was nothing available. But now that he's in 10th grade, he'll be inducted, and as long as he maintains his GPA and other activities, he'll continue on next year and his senior year.

 

[momrek06]

It has become kind of a joke at our school... DS hasn't and won't apply even though he easily qualified as a sophomore.

That is really too bad that it is considered a joke at your school.

The NATIONAL Honor Society is exactly that a NATIONAL academic society with Chapters all over this country in all or most h.s. It is a very prestigious organization and students should be thrilled to be invited to join and then inducted. It shows them that all their hard work all year long of maintaining outstanding grades is really a fabulous accomplishment.

DS15 (sophomore) came home with the invitation to apply, a couple of weeks ago. He qualified ACADEMICALLY, which is why he was given the invitation to apply, but he had to fill out information listing his experiences showing leadership, community, etc. He also had to write a couple of paragraphs explaining how he exhibits those characteristics. Then they were each interviewed.

Last week, DS was notified that was accepted into the NHS, and his induction ceremony is in a couple of weeks

He filled out all of the paperwork himself, he wouldn't even let me give him advice or suggestions on what he should include. But I realized that if he did get accepted, then it would be because he did it all on his own, and that seemed to be very important to him. All he had me do was proof-read the paragraphs that he wrote, but he wouldn't change a word of it.

He was in the Junior National Honor Society when he was in middle school. For 9th grade, there was nothing available. But now that he's in 10th grade, he'll be inducted, and as long as he maintains his GPA and other activities, he'll continue on next year and his senior year.

CONGRATULATIONS on your DS!!! This will look awesome on his college resume!!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

That is really too bad that it is considered a joke at your school.

The NATIONAL Honor Society is exactly that a NATIONAL academic society with Chapters all over this country in all or most h.s. It is a very prestigious organization and students should be thrilled to be invited to join and then inducted. It shows them that all their hard work all year long of maintaining outstanding grades is really a fabulous accomplishment.

I agree 100%. But I do believe that the standards should not be set by the individual school. Too much play there in requirements. Our chapter does not do much, nor is it considered much of an honor. I have tried to encourage DS to apply, but the sponsor and some of the things she has pulled are keeping him from doing it.

 

[SeaSpray]

CONGRATULATIONS on your DS!!! This will look awesome on his college resume!!

Thank you! He's hoping so, too. LOL

 

[Hixski]

When I was in high school in the 70's the NHS was a joke. There was a rather large group that was elected to be in. Most were voted out by 1 teacher. She voted against anyone she had in her class that she deemed not suitable. No other criteria other than that for her. It actually caused quite a stink from parents (including mine). In the end they sided with this teacher and about 20 students didn't make it because of her. All her pets did though. Some of them barely had the grade point average. Some that were voted against had 4.0 GPA. Pretty sad.

 

[momrek06]

When I was in high school in the 70's the NHS was a joke. There was a rather large group that was elected to be in. Most were voted out by 1 teacher. She voted against anyone she had in her class that she deemed not suitable. No other criteria other than that for her. It actually caused quite a stink from parents (including mine). In the end they sided with this teacher and about 20 students didn't make it because of her. All her pets did though. Some of them barely had the grade point average. Some that were voted against had 4.0 GPA. Pretty sad.

It is true, though, the way different schools have their own rules. I chaperoned a field trip with my DS' h.s. for a competition. We were in the lobby of a h.s. about an hour from ours and the rules for NHS were posted there and I was pretty surprised at this school as they REQUIRED a 4.0 PERIOD or you will not be invited in!! I knew our h.s. was a 3.5 gpa!!!

DH & I graduated Class of '72! My DH in CT, me in MA...although I was not in the NHS guilty: ) my DH was in NHS in his h.s. AND what was awesome about this fact was that when BOTH my DS' were inducted into their schools NHS, the M.C. of the ceremony asks "If there are any members of the NHS in our audience please stand and be acknowledged?" Both my DS' were thrilled beyond believe that their dad was able to stand!!!

 

[AmazingGrace]

My ds, 13, just got inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society last week. He's in seventh grade and the keynote speaker said that this was the largest group in the school's history.

 

[momrek06]

My ds, 13, just got inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society last week. He's in seventh grade and the keynote speaker said that this was the largest group in the school's history.

Ooohhh, that is the other thing...schools are getting so awesome (at least around here) and having/inviting some fabulous KEYNOTE Speakers at the Ceremony. Usually, someone from the community or the county that has made a huge contribution to society and that the students as well as the parents are thrilled to meet them and hear them speak!!


Amazing: Congratulations on your DS!!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I graduated high school in 2005. In my high school, juniors and seniors without behavioral problems on their records, that also have a 3.5 (unweighted) GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale are invited to apply. We were given a packet. We had to have 7 people (a certain amount of teachers and a certain amount of advisors/community members) fill out forms rating our leadership and character. We had to write an essay. We also had to fill out forms about the activities we were involved in. I believe we had to be involved in at least 3 activities during high school (not necessarily at the same time) as well as at least 20 hours of community service at that point. Applications were then reviewed by the faculty council. If we were chosen (I was) we then had to do 3 hours of service a month, and we had to have a certain amount of points each semester. These points were earned by our service and by being involved in NHS events (Cystic Fibrosis bowlathon, school semi formal, book/cell phone drive, tutoring, etc). My sister just applied for NHS this year and the requirements to get into NHS are now 40 hours of service: 20 in school, 20 outside of school. Don't know what the requirements are once you're in; she didn't make it. Actually most people in her class that were invited to apply didn't make it...
I got a lot out of NHS and if I have one regret from high school it's that I didn't run for officer so I could have gotten more out of it. I actually went to the NHS national conference out in St Louis my senior year, along with my advisor and the officers from my school, and the advisor and about 10 students from one other school in our state. It was an experience I'll never forget.

 

[Deb in IA]

This has been a very enlightening thread . . . if I do say so myself!


So, generally speaking, it seems that:
1. Admission criteria are much more stringent than in the past, with more input and docmentation required of the candidates, and
2. Each chapter sets their own standards and admission requirements, which appear to vary widely.


Interesting . . . I had no idea!!

 

[rie'smom]

We were tapped in a ceremony. The teachers voted on GPA(at least 3.6) and leadership.