Need some tips or advice...

Y

yjcabansag

New Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2017
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First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm YJ (the Y is pronounced as E and the J is pronounced as Jay)
I'm aspiring to attend any of the Service Academies next year. (I'm an incoming Senior)

Okay so here's my dilemma...
So I went to California Boys State (it was fun and truly a one of a kind experience) and I've learned through my peers that there's this Nationwide honors organization called the National Honor Society. They told me that they were members in their local schools and that it can be a huge addition to college applications.

So I did my research, I found out that I have to be in contact with my local school district in order to start a chapter, and that it would require not only students, but also the teachers and the school administration to make it work.
Knowing this, it made me wonder if does it really matter? So I looked it up, I researched how being a member of the national honor society weighs on a student's college application. I found out from multiple sources that it's basically like a normal club, and that officers are always the ones who get the accolade or "additional points" from an admissions perspective.

My dilemma is that I am truly concerned about making a step to contact and talk to my local school district about the establishment of a National Honor Society Chapter in our city if it doesn't really weigh a lot on college applications.
I considered the factor of having some of the school's administrators to allot extra time and effort into this organization. In addition to that, I've also considered that since we have a local chapter in our town, our local junior high school's also going to be involved with it as well.
In conclusion, I just want to know what you guys think about this. Should I just pursue and convince my local school district to start a chapter in our city? Or should I just let it go since it would not really benefit a lot of students in terms of college admissions?

I would really love to see what you guys think! I've been lurking in this forum for quite a while now. I figured that this would be a good thing to discuss.
 
yjcabansag said:
First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm YJ (the Y is pronounced as E and the J is pronounced as Jay)
I'm aspiring to attend any of the Service Academies next year. (I'm an incoming Senior)

Okay so here's my dilemma...
So I went to California Boys State (it was fun and truly a one of a kind experience) and I've learned through my peers that there's this Nationwide honors organization called the National Honor Society. They told me that they were members in their local schools and that it can be a huge addition to college applications.

So I did my research, I found out that I have to be in contact with my local school district in order to start a chapter, and that it would require not only students, but also the teachers and the school administration to make it work.
Knowing this, it made me wonder if does it really matter? So I looked it up, I researched how being a member of the national honor society weighs on a student's college application. I found out from multiple sources that it's basically like a normal club, and that officers are always the ones who get the accolade or "additional points" from an admissions perspective.

My dilemma is that I am truly concerned about making a step to contact and talk to my local school district about the establishment of a National Honor Society Chapter in our city if it doesn't really weigh a lot on college applications.
I considered the factor of having some of the school's administrators to allot extra time and effort into this organization. In addition to that, I've also considered that since we have a local chapter in our town, our local junior high school's also going to be involved with it as well.
In conclusion, I just want to know what you guys think about this. Should I just pursue and convince my local school district to start a chapter in our city? Or should I just let it go since it would not really benefit a lot of students in terms of college admissions?

I would really love to see what you guys think! I've been lurking in this forum for quite a while now. I figured that this would be a good thing to discuss.
Click to expand...


EVERYONE IS IN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY NOWADAYS! Don’t sweat it, just do what is offered to you. Honestly, I would just tell you to do what you want to do in High School. I’m applying for USAFA 2022 & USMA & the other service academies too. DO NOT DO SOMETHING BECAUSE IT WILL BOOST YOUR APPLICATION! DO IT BECAUSE YOU GENUINELY WANT TO. I participate in 17 extracurricular activities and I do it because I WANT TO. I DO NOT DO IT BECAUSE I WANT TO BOOST MY SA APPLICATION. You are representing your county, city, state, country, and your self. Keep in mind, yes, you want to serve your country and attend a SA. However, all of the Academies wants to see the real you shine! Not someone who is miserable and does EC just to boost an Application. If you fail once try again because success is the only option. We can always apply next year, if this year isn’t our year. Remember to Be true to your self, and perform at your best. Only you can stop your self from your true potential. If you genuinely want something, go for it, do it for your self. Don’t form an NHS for an application. I give you props for being self motivated during this process that seems to last a lifetime.
I wish you the best with your application.
Keep me updated on your status :)
 
I agree with af802990. My son attended a school that does have a NHS chapter and still received multiple SA appointments. When he was a freshman in HS, he wanted to participate in the Team America Rocket Challange (TARC), but the school did not have a team. So he petitioned the school and secured a faculty sponsor and started (and captained) a team. The feedback he received a couple of his liaison officers was these were the types of attributes that the SAs were looking for - someone following their passion and then taking the initiative to work through roadblocks. When looking at the ECs on your application, it's about quality and commitment, not quantity.
 
I appreciate the feedback!

In all honesty, I really want to push the National Honor Society in our city because I feel like our scholars are not really given an accolade or recognition for achieving a certain gpa and service hours.
I'm new to my high school last year, and as a new student, all I did was observe and see what's the flaws and the notable positive traits of our school. I personally think that NHS would make a huge change because of the certificates and "nationwide" recognition given to its members.

It seems weird that no one in my high school or in my community have thought about nor know about the National Honor Society. That's why I'm second guessing if putting a lot of time and effort into the establishment of this "Nationwide Organization" to our city is really worth it.
 
It is ultimately your decision to pursue NHS but, with just a few months left to submit your SA and MOC applications, move ahead knowing the NHS process may not be completed before your applications are due (and I would recommend submitting your applications well in advance of their due dates).

The SA application process is onerous. Unless you are really passionate about NHS, I would suggest investing time on other items that would directly impact your application package (e.g. working out to improve your CFA score, studying to improve your ACT/SAT scores, fine-tuning your application essays). IMHO.
 
yjcabansag said:
I appreciate the feedback!

In all honesty, I really want to push the National Honor Society in our city because I feel like our scholars are not really given an accolade or recognition for achieving a certain gpa and service hours.
I'm new to my high school last year, and as a new student, all I did was observe and see what's the flaws and the notable positive traits of our school. I personally think that NHS would make a huge change because of the certificates and "nationwide" recognition given to its members.

It seems weird that no one in my high school or in my community have thought about nor know about the National Honor Society. That's why I'm second guessing if putting a lot of time and effort into the establishment of this "Nationwide Organization" to our city is really worth it.
Click to expand...

Well then go for it! You want it so go out and get it! Good luck :)
 
AF6872 said:
Forget the NHS and concentrate on your application. DD and DS both had nominations to service academies and never had NHS honors.
Click to expand...

I believe if he genuinely wants to do it he should. However, I understand your view point considering the fact that he’d be very busy all 1st semester.
 
I really appreciate the feedback! It is true that SA applications are long and in fact an onerous one.

With all the advice and tips that all of you had given me, I've concluded that time is the biggest factor in everything. I'm going to make a timeline for my "To-Do's" and ensure that I really focus and weigh my priorities.

Thank you once again! All of you really helped!
 
I'm pretty confident that you are not the first person to bring up NHS in your school district. Be prepared to get some push back if you pursue it. Some districts don't want there to be winners and losers. NHS requires it, otherwise what's the point. Just sayin'. It's part of the "everyone gets an award" culture.
 
NHS is mostly a recognition of some level of academic achievement. Some schools may actually do something as a club, but for others it is simply a recognition of achievement that colleges already measure in other ways. Curious how your peers would know this is a 'huge' advantage to college admissions whey they themselves would just be starting the application process. One thing you will learn about applying to any of the SA's is that lots of friends/neighbors/relatives or even the postman will offer well-intentioned 'advice' when they actually have no idea what they are talking about. No one activity is a magical key to getting an appointment. You are competing for an appointment with students from across the country who have typically excelled in multiple areas. I would instead focus on where you can further improve your resume (i.e. ECA's, leadership, academics, athletics....etc.) since the clock is ticking if you have already completed your junior year of h.s. Spending some/all of your senior year trying to start a chapter may needlessly take up a lot of your time and go nowhere for the reasons mentioned above.
 
I'm really curious to see how it goes tbh. But yeah, I'll definitely put the important things first.

I really appreciate all the tips and suggestions! Will definitely put all of it into account.
 
I think it is a great idea to be the one to start it up leaving a legacy for other students. NHS induction has certain criterias besides having a great GPA. Along with volunteer hours, you have demonstrate leadership in different areas. Every year you have to be able to hit those milestones and then some.

Some people can't hit all those marks. Some people don't realize how all the components set them apart and can be described in an application that does make them stand out. In the end they get the NHS collar for graduation setting them apart even though they my not be the valedictorian or student body president. I say go for it!
 
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