Is NSHSS a Scam?

If you’re thinking of joining the NSHSS, you need to know: Is NSHSS a scam? 

Below, we explain whether NSHSS is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety before joining this organization. 

What Is NSHSS?

NSHSS stands for the National Society of High School Scholars. 

According to the NSHSS website, it’s an academic honor society founded in 2002. It says it recognizes and serves high-achieving high school students from more than 26,000 schools in over 170 countries. 

Membership is supposedly based on rigorous academic performance criteria. 

Beyond academic recognition, NSHSS offers access to scholarships, leadership development programs, internships, and study abroad programs, among other things.

Is NSHSS a Scam?

The NSHSS is not a scam, but whether joining it is beneficial is up for debate. 

NSHSS offers scholarships and other benefits (e.g., leadership development programs, internships, study abroad opportunities, and additional resources like access to a newsletter and event notifications). 

However, some critics argue that the large membership size may diminish the value of these opportunities. 

The student newspaper of San Juan Hills High School writes that the NSHSS creates an illusion of exclusivity that is undermined by the large number of recipients and that the organization employs aggressive marketing tactics. 

According to College Vine, it appears like the NSHSS deliberately chose a name similar to the National Honor Society (NHS), an organization with a longer history and stricter qualifications. 

The similarity between the names often causes confusion. 

People seem to have a generally negative opinion of the NSHSS on internet forums, arguing that the society charges money without providing meaningful benefits or recognition in college admissions. 

The NSHSS is Better Business Bureau accredited and has an A+ rating. 

Security

In its privacy policy, the NSHSS says it uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your data.

It retains personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined, comply with legal obligations, and resolve disputes.

NSHSS doesn’t store credit card details on its servers. PCI-DSS-compliant processors handle your payment information.

Privacy

The NSHSS privacy policy explains the kind of data the organization collects, for what purposes, and with whom it shares it. 

The NSHSS collects personal data like:

• Identifiers (name, email, phone, etc.).
• Demographic details.
• Internet activity (IP address, browser info).
• Social media data.
• Payment information.
• Location data.
• Employment details.
• Audio recordings.
• Inferences (about your interests and other characteristics). 

NSHSS collects this data when you register, interact with the site (including educator nominations and service inquiries), make payments, contact customer service, participate in social media activities, or apply for employment.

It uses this data to deliver membership services, manage scholarships and grants, process event registrations, and handle donations. The NSHSS also uses this data for transaction processing, promotions, and to manage user preferences. 

The NSHSS says it may share your information with third-party service providers only to facilitate services. 

It says it does not share your personal data with third parties without your consent, except if it’s required to do so by law or for business purposes.

You have the following rights and choices:

• You can update or correct your information via the Member Dashboard.
• Opt out of promotional emails, text messages, and direct mail.
• Request access, data portability, deletion, or corrections of your personal data.

So, Should You Join NSHSS?

Depends. 

For many people, NSHSS might offer only small additional benefits. 

However, NSHSS might be worthwhile if you’re on the lookout for additional resources and networking opportunities or if you’re interested in exploring different academic societies. 

How to Participate In NSHSS Safely

• Do your research. Read reviews and testimonials from current and former NSHSS members to see what their experiences have been like. 
• Weigh the costs vs benefits. Before joining, clearly understand what the NSHSS membership fee covers. 
• Review the NSHSS privacy policy. Read the NSHSS’s privacy policy to understand how they will handle your personal information. 
• Consult people you trust. Talk to school counselors, teachers, family members, and/or friends who may have experience with honor societies to get their opinions on NSHSS.