Q&A for How to Be Accepted Into the National Honor Society

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How do I increase my chances of getting into the National Honor Society?

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

Educational Consultant

Expert Answer

Doing well on the PSAT exam will definitely help your chances of being accepted into NHS. I would recommend you start studying for this test as early as possible.

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Question

Is there a limit to the number students that can be chosen in a given school that has a chapter for the National Honor Society?

Community Answer

Fortunately, there is no "limit". Either you make it or you do not.

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Question

Do students need to have weekly community service hours, or just 25 per year?

Community Answer

The minimum required is 25 hours per year, but the more you have, the better you will seem in the eyes of the authorities.

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Can I join as a homeschooled student?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, you cannot. You have to be entered into the database through a school.

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Question

My school has no members in NHS. Can there be only one member (myself)?

Community Answer

If it is due to lack of appropriate grades, then yes; if it is because you do not have NHS chapter at your school, then your school would need to establish one first.

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Question

What should I write in a reference letter for a student applicant?

Community Answer

Mention any type of volunteering, church groups, electives, work experience, leadership skills, etc. that you have.

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Question

I graduated from high school in 2007 and met all of the criteria for grades, community service and leadership. Can I apply for the NHS now?

Community Answer

If you have already graduated, there is no point in being in the National Honor Society, and I'm sure only currently enrolled students are eligible.

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Question

My school does not have a chapter of NHS, but I am in the BETA club. Can I still be a member of the NHS?

Community Answer

NHS is a school-based function. If your school does not have one, then you cannot be in it.

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Can I be in ELL classes or have special ed classes and be in the National Honor Society?

Community Answer

As long as you meet the required 3.25 GPA, you may apply to the NHS.

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May a homeschooler apply to be a National Honor Society Member?

Community Answer

Full-time homeschoolers cannot, but if you're enrolled part-time in a school with a local chapter, you may.

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Question

How can I appeal a denial into the National Honor Society?

Community Answer

Request a copy of the charter and read it carefully for procedures for appeal. The charter will contain both the minimums for qualification and eligibility for appeals.

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Can small private schools have NHS chapters?

Community Answer

It does not matter how large or small your school is, if your administrators wish to have NHS, they can.

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Question

Is a junior in high school required to take the SAT, PSAT or ACT to be accepted into the NHS?

Community Answer

It was not mandatory for me; I did not take any tests, other than the required ones at the end of the year. I would ask an administrator.

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Question

Does the National Honor Society have a membership cost?

Community Answer

In recent years, students have been required to pay a $10 yearly national due.

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Question

Is there a difference in the number of volunteer hours by different chapters?

Community Answer

Read thoroughly through all the categories; they state what each one is for.

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Question

Do you have to be a citizen to be part of the honor society?

Community Answer

No, you can be a permanent resident (greencard) or have a visa. Do note that if you are an undocumented immigrant, it will be very hard to keep it secret if you receive this honor.

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Question

Can middle schoolers join NJHS?

Community Answer

Of course, NJHS is National JUNIOR Honor Society, it is meant for the junior level.

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Question

Do I need to reapply to the National Honor Society if I applied in a lower grade?

Community Answer

If you made it in, then (for most chapters) no. If not, then you will have to ask the chapter if you're allowed to apply again.

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Question

Is there a cost for this?

Community Answer

There is no cost for NHS. It does not require any payments whatsoever.

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Question

Do gym classes count toward being accepted for JHS?

Community Answer

They would count as being involved, and they would help.

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Question

If I don't live in the US, can I still apply and qualify?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Does volunteering at a church camp count toward the volunteer requirements?

Community Answer

Yes, volunteering for church in any capacity should count toward your volunteering requirement.

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Question

How do I write a good essay for NJHS?

Community Answer

It should be at least five pages, and you should talk about leadership, characterization, service, citizenship, and scholarship. These are the pillars of NJHS.

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Question

Is there a National Spanish Honor Society for students in Spanish classes?

Community Answer

Some schools offer a specific honor society called the "Foreign Language Honor Society". Check with your guidance counselor to see if your school offers this.

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Question

What happens if you are already accepted in to NHS and the GPA falls to a 3.47? Is there a probationary period to get the GPA back to a 3.5 or better?

Community Answer

If they notice, they will probably do something about your status with them. Above, it states: "Maintain your GPA even if you're accepted into NHS. If your grades slip, you will be removed from the organization. Below a 3.6 weighted on the 4.0 scale is risky."

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Question

What are some examples of civic, religious, or social groups? (Required on my application)

Community Answer

Some examples are church groups, clean-up groups, or even Student Council groups.

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Question

Why would a school limit NHS membership to 11th and 12th grades?

Community Answer

Because most schools give out the SAT and ACT exams to students their junior year.

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If I fail an AP test, am I not eligible for the NHS?

Community Answer

You will be eligible, but depending on the competition level at your school, your chances to get in may go down significantly.

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Question

How can my service hours be proven with the National Honor Society if I did my community service in another country?

Community Answer

If you have the contact of the person/people that you volunteered for, then you can be proven as they can be contacted and asked.

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Question

Do I need to have 3.25 every year of high school to get into the National Honor Society?

Community Answer

Each NHS chapter gets to decide the minimum GPA, but NHS themselves require this minimum number to be 3.0.

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