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Does anybody know if this is real? Or anything about it?

By Highlander2000 (Highlander2000) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 12:37 pm: Edit

Yes its for real. They give out $1000 scholarships, i think 10 total. They are like a Who's Who type organization, publishing a yearly composite of OSA's (the scholarships for the seniors, but any grade student can become an OSA).

I hope this helps.

By burningman on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 10:06 pm: Edit

Hmmm, are there any fees associated with this award, or things to purchase?

By Highlander2000 (Highlander2000) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 12:40 pm: Edit

no fees. totally free. no obligations, i believe.

By Asia Comeau on Saturday, November 09, 2002 - 04:31 pm: Edit

You have to pay $15 to be in the 'book of winners and finalists' though...

By jgumley on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 03:59 pm: Edit

My son just got awarded "Outstanding Student of America" Now he goes on to the next level to compete as a semi finalist for the actual $1,000.00 scholarship. For a fee of $42.95 we can purchase a book which will have his name in it. My question is, how selective is the original acceptance which enables him to be published in the book? Is it to be considered a true honor: something you would put on a childs' resume? Can someone other than the organization itself please respond to me? Thanks

By ksweeney on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 09:28 am: Edit

I would ask th e same question as above. I wonder if contacting the Better Business Bureau in Al would be of any help. If something is too good to be true it often is.

By NYmom on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 12:52 pm: Edit

My son combined some advice he got on this board a while ago. He listed Who's Who and Outstanding Student of America by saying he was accepted for these after being nominated by his counselor, and specifically noted his counselor's name.

As for the Better Busines Bureau, my guess is there'd be nothing wrong with the practices of organizations such as these. Basically, they want to sell you their book, but they don't require you to buy the book to go on to the next level of scholarship consideration.

One interesting thing tho'. I may be mistaken but I think in Outstanding Students, the deadline for ordering the book is a short one, then the scholarship considerations go to a committee before they go out to the next step. I wonder how many students who don't order the book actually get thru the "committee" and on to the last step?

By Colby Senal on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 04:28 pm: Edit

My daughters letter came in the mail today. This sounds just like Who's Who Amoung High School students. My daughter has made Who's Who for the last four years. We bought a book with her picture in it. We never got the book, and that was four years ago. For the last three years since, we ignore their letters. It seems it's all just a money making scheme to me. With Outstanding Students of America, only picking less than one percent of applicants as semi-finalist, they should have a darn good shot at getting that $1000 I would think. I'll believe it when I see it. They say 100 percent of the proceeds of the book go to students for scholarships. If they only sent the letter to less than one percent of the applicants, that wouldn't make for much scholarship money would it? I smell a fish and it's beginning to really stink.

By NYmom on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 09:51 pm: Edit

Be careful of the possibility of misreading. The letter reads: "This is not a random Drawing and all students who apply are not accepted. This prestigious honor is one bestowed to less than 1% of students nationwide." It does not say: "This prestigious honor is one bestowed to less than 1% of all applicants."

By seeker on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 07:03 am: Edit

"all students who apply are not accepted"...odd.

By Caramelapple (Caramelapple) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 07:21 pm: Edit

Does anyone know anything new about this? I just got notified today that I'm a semi-finalist and I could be in the book but it really really sounds like a scam to me... or at least not important at all because almost everyone who is a "semi-finalist"