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I just received a letter from this organization, and I wonder if this is a scam or not, it's website is www.nationalhonorroll.org . And I wonder if this organization has anything to deal with National Hornor Society, Thank you!

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 09:58 am: Edit

I have heard that it is bogus. Someone on another board that I used posted an article from, I think, a Seattle paper saying that it's not an honor, but is a money-making venture. Try searching the Internet to find out info on it.

By Leo on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 03:47 pm: Edit

but the letter says there's no any kind of fee included to get this hornor, does this proves anything? like not a scam?

By NYmom on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 04:15 pm: Edit

I posted above on this...but here it is again. Read this article and you'll learn how names get on these lists:

http://www.collegejournal.com/aidadmissions/newstrends/20011206-golden.html

The no fee is what gets you interested. The catch is that between the "prestigious academic award," and the Pennsylvania Ave address (which, incidentally, is also the address for Mail Boxes, Etc. on the GWU campus), and the no cost, your ego is supposed to be so pumped up that you fill out the form, send it in, be so thrilled when you get admitted, and then just have to see your name in print and pay to do so. This letter stressed "free" but the next will probably have the "ordering" info in it. They all do.

By concerned mom on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 12:53 pm: Edit

My son was also nominated for the National Honor Roll. Our first letter stressed the fact that it was free, but the second letter showed the costs for receiving the printed material. I too am unclear as to whether the statement that they would make available scholarships, notify colleges, the governor and media are bogus or not.

By NYmom on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 01:50 pm: Edit

Probably what they say is true. This would keep it legal. But remember, there are 25 scholarships (no idea what they're based on - they could be given to friends for all we know). Anyway, think of the odds. Also, they would want to notify everyone they can think of; that's more free advertising for them.

By Tong Xiong on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 03:56 pm: Edit

I've also recieved a letter that I was nominated by the National Honor Roll thing too, but haven't heard form them since and the letter I've recieved said to watch my mail for the next letter, but never heard from them since. So I wa wondering if it's a sam or what!? If anyone know-please let me know at my email: lisa_xiong2002@yahoo.com.

Tong Xiong

By beware on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 09:10 am: Edit

When typing "National Honor Roll" into the google search engine I found this article on the website of a televison station.


Wednesday, July 24, 2002
National Honor Roll Receives Low Marks
Wayne Havrelly

KIRO 7 EYEWITNESS NEWS CONSUMER REPORTER
High school kids in our area have been receiving a letter in the mail congratulating them for their academic achievements.

Is this a legitimate honor or a scheme to get your money?

When kids open the letter they get excited and so do their parents.

Why not? It implies the student is very close to getting a college scholarship.

It sounds almost too good to be true.

"My son pulls it out of the mailbox and goes 'I'm on the National Honor Role'," says Melissa Murray, mother of Greg Murray, a high school student who received the letter.

Greg Murray just finished his freshman year at Clover Park High School in Lakewood. He thought the letter honoring him for his academic achievements might just be his ticket to a college scholarship. The letter promises to notify colleges.

"It would have made my mom a little happy for me," says Greg Murray.

"It says right off the top there that your son is one of the top four percent of students in the entire country and you're saying that's probably not the case, no it can't be. He passed, but not at an honor role level ... not even close!" exclaims Melissa Murray.

Apparently grades don't matter to the National Honor Roll, but money does. For $50, Greg can get a book with his name in it -- and even more if he wants his picture in the book.

Our investigation reveals the National Honor Roll is actually a private company registered in New York, but honorees send money to a Washington, D.C. address.

The company lists 14 professors and business leaders on its standards committee. We tried calling them all.

James Wade, a business professor at the University of Wisconsin, is one of them. I asked him by phone how students are selected and how much the company pays him to be on its committee. He said no comment and hung up.

No one else on the list called back.

Greg hoped the National Honor Roll would help him get into West Point.

"It would have helped me get into the academy and everything but I just have to find other ways to get there," says Greg.

"Because I can't afford to put him through and to offer him something like this and ask money for it, I think it's really unfair," says Greg's mother.

We checked with officials at several school districts and they believe the National Honor Roll is a waste of money.

Paying to get your child's name in the book doesn't make them an honor student and it certainly won't help them get into college.

Hard work and good grades are still the keys. School officials say that the letter belongs in the garbage.

By dropout on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 07:07 am: Edit

I think that this list is somehow connected to a web site that helps find college scholarships. This has got to be where they get their list. I am 43 years old and just got mine yesterday. since I haven't been in high school for nearly 30 years I pretty much figured it it was a scam.

By WILSON on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 11:42 am: Edit

IAM A MOTHER I DONT HAVE MONEY TO THROW IAM TO MADE IT IN THE WORLD AND HELP MY DAUGTHER BE THE BEST SHE CAN BE AND SOMETHING LIKE THE NATIONAL HONOR ROLL LIFT MY DAUGTHER SPRIT THINK GOING TO GET AWARD FOR DO HER BEST AND THEN THEY SCAM FAMILY AND LET OUR KIDS DOWN THAT NOT GOOD BUSINESS.

By Ridewitmeg2k (Ridewitmeg2k) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 04:00 pm: Edit

I HAVE RECIEVED A LETTER FROM NATIONAL HONOR ROLL BUT DID NOT TURN MY PROFILE IN ON TIME. DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY I STILL CAN TURN IN MY PROFILE, OR AT LEAST CONTACT THE COMPANY ITSELF.

By Helen C on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 09:55 am: Edit

My daughter also received this notice from National Honor Roll and after reviewing the previous messages, I conclude that it is no more than a marketing ploy. Unfortunately,that is how some choose to use personal information to make a living and this happens on the professional level in the adult years also .

By BethSue on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 11:49 am: Edit

After reading all your letters, i have been convinced that this National Honor Roll is a scam. But it's too late for me i already sent in my money. My next goal, to stop the check.

By NHR on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 07:36 pm: Edit

I guess it all depends on how you define "scam". I assume it's legal since the National Honor Roll DOES send out press releases like it promises and does publish book with info on the students who sent in their profiles. I was surprised to find out when doing putting "National Honor Roll" into a search engine how many newspapers publish the names of "inductees" into the "National Honor Roll" even though it appears that there is no real criteria for admission.

One thing I thought was strange on the application was that one of the "honors" to check was Duke Talent Search when the heading said DO NOT CHECK ANYTHING YOU DID PRIOR TO NINTH GRADE.
Everone who participates in the Duke Talent Search is a SEVENTH GRADER. This made me question the intelligence of the National Honor Roll people.

By Debbie Spence on Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 10:06 pm: Edit

My daughter just got the first letter. What I would like to know is how do they get their names and address, and how can they scam kids

By Lish Ren on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 07:29 pm: Edit

I have been on the National Honor Roll and Who's Who Among American High School Students. I have also just recently received word that I am being inducted into the National Honor Roll again. That means that I'm now also in the National Honor Roll Gold Elite. I do not think this is a scam. I receive very good marks in school and these organizations do not lie when they say you don't have to purchase anything. It is entirely up to you if you want a plaque or a certificate or a book for that matter. I ordered the plaques and they were everything the organization said they would be. I am very happy with it. Some people may think this is a scam but I for one am proud of it and I keep the awards on my wall.

By Kimberly on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 03:04 pm: Edit

I recieved the letter yesterday, I am hoping it not a scam, my daughter was so excited that I didn't get a chance to reseach the internet to find out any information, and I sent her name and her photo. I'm going to try to stop my check. If any one have any information for me please email, I am feeling very disappointed, not over the money but just giving information pertaining to my daughter, I really feel invaded.

By Theresa Wheeler on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 09:22 am: Edit

I don't know, for 49.00 they are doing what they say and you get a type of yearbook. Basically you are paying to get your kids name out there and getting into college these days is all about marketing.
Has anyone not sent the money and still has been listed?

By Andrew S. on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 10:02 pm: Edit

National Honor Roll did everything it said it was going to do. I bought a book and it was delivered with no problem. How could a free listing with a money back guarantee be a problem?

By bbb on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 10:48 pm: Edit

Theresa, being in that book isn't very effective marketing. Also, the listing should be free. They make their money from book sales.

Andrew - "a free listing with a money back guarantee" - huh???

By CONCERNED MOM on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 05:12 pm: Edit

My son received a mailing from Who's Who Among American High School Students regarding a scholarship application...they charged $2.95......then I also read that they rent commercial lists from a company called NRCCUA - sounds like a scam to me.

My son also received a scholarship application from National Honor Roll and there was NO FEE to submit an application. This National Honor Roll company sounds legit.


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By KathiGriffis on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 07:31 pm: Edit

My daughter has also received a notice from the National Honor Roll. She is on the Honor Roll at school. Although, she sent in her information we didn't include any money. The fees they ask for are a little out of my league. The noticed that we received did not include the name of Mr. Wade from the University of Wisconsin. So I don't know what to think.

By JCG on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 07:44 pm: Edit

Apparently this company has had some problems in the past. They are listed in the Better Business Bearu (I can't remeber how to spell it) All the problems that they have had in the past have apparently been fixed. They do give you an name and address and a phone number to contact someone on their staff. I just checked it out and they are legit

By Travis on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 07:24 pm: Edit

I just got my letter today.Im currently in the Ninth grade. When i showed my parent they were so excited,but the farther i read i get les and less excited. PLEASE someone e-mail me the real info on the Nation Honor Roll program

By dxiw on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 12:49 am: Edit

I did it and am part of it. Pretty much you get your picture in this book of "national honor roll" students with yours interests and colleges your considering. Becuase of how many ppl are in the book, I dont think its all that prestigious.

By A.Dean on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 12:16 pm: Edit

What A Scam....it was on our local TV news Scambuster segment. We got one for our daughter and they thought she was a boy and used my maiden name for her last name. Who knows where they get this info - maybe the DMV!! If you still think it is for real ask your school counselor, they will just laugh. Shred it!

By jan grana on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 04:36 pm: Edit

My daughter received a letter from the Middle Schools division last week. She's in college already!!!!

By Calquest on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 08:29 pm: Edit

Jan grana, well, that about says it all! Thanks for sharing.

By Dan T. on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 09:49 pm: Edit

I have just recieved the second letter today and i cant decide wether to throw it away or send it in. I do not consider myself that intellegent. i know that i am not at the top of the U.S. students. i have a B average but that is because i dont try in school. It says that a teacher has to recomend you and i dont think that a teacher would go out of there way for a scam. i dont know what to do but from what i hvae read it sounds like a scam.

By Dan T. on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

My grandpa called Adam smith a congressmen from washington but they have not gotten back to my grandpa so he just emailed Sarah casada to check and by the end of this month i will know if it is a scam or not so everyone that wants to know i will write something in again sometime this month to say if it is a scam or not.

By dumbo on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:29 pm: Edit

Trust me, it is a complete SCAM. Once I recieved it, I threw it in the trash.

By PissyMom on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 08:39 pm: Edit

If you notice on their website nationalhonorroll.org, anyone can go download the application and submit it. Anyone can, it's not a prestigious award. It's getting your face and bio in a book for $50.00.

I'm totally disgusted about this. How many kids have been let down by this??

I know I have a 14 year old daughter who is blue about it. And I'm feeling pretty bad about not looking into it further before I showed it to her.

By Werickso49 (Werickso49) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 09:55 pm: Edit

My son is an honor student, in 10th grade, so when we (the parents) got "the letter" (1st) in the mail yesterday (5/19/03) from National Honor Roll , we both thought What an honor,and we and our son were quite excited. To satisfy my curiosity ,though, I immediately went to google search and after researching "National Honor Roll" and reading all the other postings about this SCAM, we were disappointed but happy we didn't get duped like alot of other parents and students did.Isn't this against the law?If not it should be.I'm convinced that it is a ploy to get money by deception!Nothing can convince me otherwise.Wake up parents/students and don't fall for this.It isn't real!Look it up yourself.....just enter National Honor Roll into any search engine,and see what you get.......even if you enter it in lower case.....You'll be shocked!Good luck to all of you....DON'T sign up for it...........It's not what it appears to be!!!!!!!!!!!

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:44 am: Edit

Vanity publishing. If you really want a keepsake you can be proud of, sponsor a page or two in your child's yearbook of an activity they participate in or just an extra page for candid snapshots. If all of the parents contacted by NHR, WWAAHS, and USAA sponsored a page in your local yearbooks, you could have some magnificent books all about your students and their classmates. For about $.25 a copy you could make your own commemorative certificate--on any subject, and in any color you wish.

By Parentpaige (Parentpaige) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 11:44 am: Edit

We have received four or five letters from this organization and our son has been elevated to "Gold Elite" status. I have not sent any money and don't plan to. He wanted me to order a patch for his letter jacket but now that I have read these postings, I think that would just be like sewing a piece of trash on it! I'd rather he kept his jacket full of things that really mean something (like his patch from All-State band!)

I'm convinced this is just one more way for unscrupulous people to gather MORE personal info about you and add you to multiple junk email lists as well as knowing way too much about you! From now on all mail from the National Honor Roll goes in the shredder! Oh, BTW, we just got the letter from Who's Who Among High School Students...is that junk too?

By Heling (Heling) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 01:02 pm: Edit

i just send my in yesterday, too late. but i didn't order anything, so i guess it's OK

By Lilshyshy15 (Lilshyshy15) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 04:04 pm: Edit

I also recieved a letter from these people is it real.

By Brokenbracelet (Brokenbracelet) on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 01:39 am: Edit

I wished I checked it out first, but when I got the letter, I just ignored it (it sounded so tempting too!). I then later felt bad, so after seeing I get a SECOND chance, I went for it.

So, I mailed my profile, and got a notification that my profile got accepted, and boy was I happy. *Cough*. When I opened the letter to read it, I saw this one part where it said, "just publish my biography and picture only", and it had "$12.00" near it. I was like, "what the!? I thought it was free".. So that's how I came upon here; I wanted to e-mail the NHR people, but there's no e-mail to be reached, sooo.. (the due date is on Aug 18), I decided to just forget about it. Hopefully, they won't harrass me.

When I went on Yahoo! to search about the NHR, I see positive things, though. I mean, 12 dollars is cheap, but I'm going to have to forget about it.

By Wvlovelee (Wvlovelee) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 06:57 am: Edit

Just to put my two-cents in about this National Honor Roll scam, my son, who is a sophomore in high school, also received a letter exclaming that he had been "selected" for induction into the 2003/2004 National Honor Roll. While my son does work hard for his grades (which are on a modified grading scale), he has never made the school's honor roll, much less a national honor roll, so the alarms were going off in my head the moment I first saw the envelope with his (misspelled) name on it from the National Honor Roll. Although I'm not certain from where this company gets its list, I am certain that it must be through bogus means since my son is mildly mentally impaired and has been in Special Education classes all throughout his school career from pre-school. I would love to take this company down but I have no idea on how to go about it... any ideas?