I sent the following email to Dr. Stan Supon, who is the Dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University. We’ll see how he replies.
Dr. Stan Supon,
What do you think of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars? I recently received 2 bulky letters in my mailbox: one addressed to my family and the other to me as a “member-elect.”
Before I send in my $75 lifetime membership fee, I’d like to know if this society is legitimate. I see that many colleges have their own chapter of NSCS, and Penn State has their own (which seems to have died off in 2005: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/nscs/).
I started to suspect something when this “prestigious honors society” did not even require an application or credentials to join. They only want your credit card number with a few minor details like your school and graduation date. Upon receipt of the money, they promise a Diploma of Membership, a press release for your local newspaper and an induction ceremony at my school.
To further my suspicions, I found this website which warns other students about a stinky scam: http://cageyconsumer.com/students/scholars.html.
I would like to know your insight into this matter. Is the National Society of Collegiate Scholars really as highly esteemed as it is made out to be?
– Daehee Park
The Conversation {6 comments}
What did you find out from the professor about the membership to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars?
The Dean of the College of IST at Penn State University has not heard of the society and does not recommend it.
It seems like a legitimate, yet pointless organization to me. I’ve gotten about 6 letters in the past 2 years. I’ve researched it on the internet and 50% say scam, 50% say it’s for real.
But what they don’t tell you is there is nothing to gain from loosing that $75. They are playing with the minds of young people who want to make a place for themselves in the world. Nothing will come of joining. This silly organization will not put you at the top of your class or on any “official” honor roll, let alone get you that job your dying for.
Take my advise, trash it. You’ll get more from pasting that silly sticker they sent you on your forehead than joining.
THIS IS A SCAM!!!
I am a member, I joined rather skeptically and should have trusted my better judgement. I received letter after letter and email after email from them urging me to join blah blah blah.
After having paid the 75 dollar registration fee I fell completely off of their radar. No welcome packet in the mail, no membership diploma, no release packet, no more letters or emails now that they have my money.
The members section of the site give you no further access than the standard user will get except you are given access to recruitment
materials to help sucker other students out of their 75 dollar fee.
DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY
Actually, this group is not a scam. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is a member in good standing of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Founded in 1925 the ACHS is the only organization authorized in the US to certify that an honor society exists and is legitimate. The NSCS, started in 1994, has been a member since it began.
The organization is not a scam.
Like many non-profits they need to raise money to sustain themselves and so they can provide services to its members. NSCS has actively sought out partnerships with large companies to increase the number of opportunities it can provide its members. Many members of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) have begun to replicate NSCS’s policies and procedures because it is one of the few honor societies that actually does something for its members.
A lot of people who post about the organization claiming it is a scam have obviously never tried to get involved at the local, regional or national level. My local chapter was very in-active but the society still selected me to be part of the National Leadership Council from 2003-2005. While I was there I worked with the national office to send out monthly alumni newsletters and supervised eight alumni groups in major cities throughout the country (to provide social/networking opportunities for members beyond college). I am/was not a paid staff person at any point so I have absolutely nothing to gain from telling you this.
I hope if there are some students out there looking to become more involved in a national organization (and I do mean ACTIVELY involved) you could really build some great leadership experience here. I know my involvement with the NSCS helped me obtain my first job.
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