These days, scams seem to lie around every corner and in every third email you open. As such, when you start receiving offers and information about honors societies, it’s easy to assume these organizations are also scams of some sort. Surely, there are some scammers out there who pose as honors societies with no goal other than to extract money from their members. However, there are also some legitimate honor societies that are well worth joining and definitely not a scam. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is one of them.
How do you make sure an organization is legitimate?
When you come across an honors society you think you may be interested in joining, it’s important to do your research. Here are some key signs that the society is above-board:
- The honors society is a registered, 501c3 non-profit organization.
- The honors society is a member of The Association of College Honor Societies, National Collegiate Honors Council, Association of American Colleges and Universities, or all three.
- The honors society’s admissions officers and other employees have legitimate qualifications, such as a Masters Degree in education or many years’ experience working in the college setting.
What are the benefits of joining an honors society?
Once you find a legitimate honors society like NSCS, what are the benefits of joining? Take a look.
1. Networking Opportunities
Most students land their first post-college job through someone in their network. When you join a legitimate honors society, you will have many opportunities to meet people who work in the field you’re pursuing and who work at companies you’re interested in working for.
2. Scholarships
The cost of college keeps rising and rising, but there are a lot of scholarships out there that can lower the cost. Many of these scholarships are specifically available to honors society members. With more funding in your account, you can graduate with fewer student loans and work fewer hours while you are in school, enabling you to better focus on your studies.
3. Leadership Opportunities
More and more, companies want to hire people with leadership experience. Your average college class does not provide a lot of leadership experience, but honors societies like NSCS do. You can take on an ambassador role at your home campus, hold a position of power in one of the society’s chapters, or even help organize fundraisers and awareness events. Being able to list this leadership experience on your resume will really set you apart from other applicants.
4. A Unique College Experience
College can be as unique as you make it. Many NSCS chapters are involved in community efforts to clean up beaches or gather food for the needy. Other legitimate honors societies are involved in similar programs. Participation in these activities helps ensure that you graduate with more than coursework under your belt — you’ll also have plenty of hands-on experience and a more comprehensive perspective. Within NSCS, you can choose which programs to participate in and customize your own college experience.
With so many scams out there today, it is reasonable for you to be skeptical of honors societies. But rest assured that NSCS and other similar honors societies are not scams. They are above-board organizations that are truly dedicated to enhancing students’ experiences, both during their college years and beyond.
