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What is it? It looks so good in the mail. Is it a scam? I'm a little put off by the fact that they ask for grandparents addresses. However, do they really send it to the governors? Will colleges look at this and laugh, or does it really mean something?

By me on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 01:29 pm: Edit

don't do it....it's not worth the $50 you pay for the book....its a scam in the making

By BBB on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 07:22 pm: Edit

They ask for the grandparents' addresses so they can try to sell them books, too! Colleges will ignore it, and I'm sure the governors have better things to do than peruse a list of kids.

By huh? on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 09:43 am: Edit

How do they get the names in the first place??

By ? on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 05:25 pm: Edit

good question, but I'm tempted to order it anyway.
You never know..

By Dori on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

i sent in the application for this, and "who's who among american high school students" last year...both are a waste of time. unless you desperatly need want a book with your name in it, just toss it into the trash.

they buy student's names. it means nothing.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 12:38 am: Edit

The few people I know who have these kinds of Who's Who and Honor Roll books grow more and more embarrassed by the books over the years. Even stranger, they cannot bear to just throw them in the trash. So, the books sit on a bookcase shelf, waiting for some unwitting house guest to discover that their host is someone made famous years ago by getting scammed for fifty bucks.

It's even more embarrassing for the guest who encounters the rare "inductee" who remains proud of the past accomplishment.

So, if you want to set yourself up for a lifetime of ridicule, and want to encourage your friends to snicker behind your back, by all means go ahead and send in your $50.

It's a great investment!

By autodidact on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 01:20 am: Edit

Hi,
Many years ago we valued Who's Who, but my daughter hasn't returned her ap for either program this year, she and many of her classmates believe they are a bad joke at best, and vanity publishing at worst. Ask the colleges you are applying to if they seriously consider inclusion in these publications in their selection process. Also, allegedly, it costs nothing to be included, so you could fill out the ap, say no thanks to the expensive book, go to your local library to "See" your page--they get a copy for free of Who's Who anyway--and see what happens. The library may even be persuaded to part with their copy for a nominal donation on your part or maybe even for free. Too many of these things are popularity contests for the teachers' pets imo and many counselors don't take the time to recommend really deserving students, anyway.
Forewarn the grandparents that you'd get more use out of a really good dictionary or writer's guide. My guess is community service would be more attractive to admissions than these honors. Use the $50 to benefit a needy non-profit,your local church, or a foreign mission--all of which are tax deductible, as well.

By Sillyazn787 (Sillyazn787) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 04:33 pm: Edit

I sent the student profile yesterday, when I found out that National Honor Roll is a scam. I was wondering how do you know it is a scam? I would like more info. about it, so that next time when I recieve my scholarship application, I will know whether I should mail it or toss it to the trash.

By what is it on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 09:02 pm: Edit

I'm curious to hear what thedad and dadster think of this. My son got the letter and it is past the deadline to send it in. I just want to make sure I did the right thing by ignoring it.

By Dadster on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 09:26 pm: Edit

You didn't miss anything, what...

By whatisit on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 07:07 pm: Edit

thedad? What do you think?

Thanks for the advice, Dadster.

By Batman (Batman) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 08:28 pm: Edit

While I'd stop short of calling it a complete scam, I think both of those awards are pretty hollow. It's definitely more about generating money for the promoters than honoring your student.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 09:06 pm: Edit

Whatisit: My approach to these things is to first take the test (everyone here likes taking tests) found in the preface of BORED OF THE RINGS:

A _________ and their ____________ are soon parted.

Ready...set...go!!! You have five minutes.

By Cmi_512 (Cmi_512) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 01:46 pm: Edit

Well i had noticed right away everyone is claiming their high school student has recieved the letter. I am in 8th grade myself and recieved the letter also. A bunch of other girls my age recieved the letter also. I find this strange. So you all are just saying that it is a huge scam??? I sent in the letter what will happen now?

By Thedad (Thedad) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 03:41 pm: Edit

The hook has been set...you have provided info at no obligation but now you will be flattered, badgered, inveigled, importuned, etc. to buy a copy of a book that is most suitable as a door stop, dust collector, or candidate for recycling.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 04:15 pm: Edit

Go for it!

For just $50 you can be recognized as a real scholar.

-----

If you're interested, I know a fellow who will get you a real Congressional Medal of Honor. He charges only $80. The medal will look nice next to your honor roll certificate.

Just think how proud you'll be when people become aware of all your great honors...

By Crazyandy (Crazyandy) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 09:53 pm: Edit

Does anyone know if All-American Scholars, which is submitted by a teacher at school, is another Who's Who/National Honor Roll scam or if colleges actually look at it with "high regards"?

By Danser39 (Danser39) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 03:34 pm: Edit

Maybe the "honor" is worthless but it also says they offer scholarships. Does anyone know if these scholarships are real?

By Danser39 (Danser39) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Maybe the "honor" is worthless but it also says they offer scholarships. Does anyone know if the scholarships are real?

By Thedad (Thedad) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 07:23 pm: Edit

As a marketing expense, offering 5 or whatever scholarships to sell x-thousand books or whatever makes sense.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 11:55 pm: Edit

I find it a bit amazing that so many people want to find SOME reason to believe that such hoaxes have merit. They are like moths attracted to a candle.

I think it's a bit of a geograpic thing. Having grown up with quite a bit of east coast scepticism, it didn't take long to notice the lack of it in other places. Having a good balance between scepticism and trust takes a lot of experience to develop... and I'm not there yet!

By Wonderin (Wonderin) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 07:31 am: Edit

Don't pay a dime!!!I really don't believe a teacher nominates the student for the who's who - I am not sure how they get the names. My oldest son received the mailing a couple of years ago. But my second son received nothing this year and is valedictorian and higher GPA. I sort of feel embarrassed for the folks that list these things in their list of accomplishments in their local newspaper. Several times, I have seen people submit press releases about their child, "Mary Smith, Listed in Who's Who..."

By Danser39 (Danser39) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 08:52 pm: Edit

I know that at least sometimes teachers nominate the students because my teacher told me that he had nominated me.

By Educationweek (Educationweek) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 05:24 pm: Edit

I am a reporter for Education Week, a newspaper that covers educational policy, and I am writing a story about the business of selling these Who's Who/National Honor Roll recognition books. This discussion is helpful but I am hoping to talk to some parents offline about the promotional mailings and their experiences.

You can check out my publication at www.edweek.org, and you can e-mail me at mwalsh@epe.org.

I hope this post meets your list's rules.

Mark Walsh

By Mattimatt (Mattimatt) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 05:15 am: Edit

I received both the "National Honor Roll" and the "Who's Who...". I know that almost everyone gets the "who's who" and it's a waste of money to order a book (however I paid the $15 for pic and bio). but I'm thinking "National Honor Roll" is a bigger deal and not many people receive that. But again,I only paid the $12 for publishing my picture and biography. It's your choice topay or not, but paying $50? I wouldn't do that.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:27 am: Edit

REAL honors are ALWAYS given for FREE (at absolutely NO cost to you.)

SCAMS... you always PAY money for.

-----
Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:43 am: Edit

Morgantruce: I agree with you, however, some local scholarship committees, unfortunately, are not familiar with any of these groups, and failing to list inclusion can be mistakenly interpreted as being unworthy of the honor. For those slower to grasp the concept, even by submitting the $15 for setup, inclusion, and picture, you are effectively underwriting the publishers' expense. You, therefore, are footing the cost--at no risk to them. They will always have a sufficient number of guppies to make it a paying propostion. Their only cost is bulk mailing your invitation/award--you'll pay shipping and handling on the book, if you buy. Encourage your teachers to make awards presentations locally instead, and volunteer to chip in a few bucks to offset the costs of paper, ink and personnel for personalizing certificates. The ones you'll receive from these organizations are generally blank--they don't care enough--nor want to extend funds-- to fill in their mass produced nickle or under sheet. If you haven't already realized that your true reward from scholastic endeavors is the knowledge gained you've been shortchanged in the process.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 12:08 pm: Edit

Cheers for you final thought...

Still, you have to ask yourself, "of what value is a scholarship from one of these committees that bases their decisions on whether you are included in in Who's Who?"

I looked at many scholarships and all the hoops they would have you jump through--and decided it was simply not worth any of the trouble. No, we are not wealthy... and any amount of money is significant to us. Our girls are in great schools that have met our needs.

When the day comes that a college insists that a prospective student appear in Who's Who... I will be reconsidering the value of higher education.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 12:17 pm: Edit

Parents and Students: To read Mr. Walsh's previous story on this subject click on:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=x40roll.h07&keywords=National%20Honor%20Roll

Nicely done, Mr. Walsh, please feel free to contact me. My daughter has received invitations from all three pubs. You are doing a service by updating this article for a new generation. Thank you. You might want to consider looking into some of these other honors programs--leadership forums--they seem to have hefty price tags attached, and the scholarship deadlines fall too near to our receipt date for my liking.

Students: If you are looking for a bonafide leadership camp apply for Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership as a SOPHOMORE, or check out your local service organizations(Kiwanis,Lions, Rotary) offerings. We didn't learn of this program until too late, and missed a FREE opportunity. United World Colleges also looks to be a good IB/international exchange which allows Davis Scholars to participate free.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

Morgantruce: I agree many scholarships require too many attachments and too much personal information, but they have to have some criteria on which to base their decisions. In truth, in local circles, I suspect some of those involved just want to know more than most are willing to disclose as to personal income, so it automatically weans out half of the possible applicants, fully 50% of the balance either aren't aware of the scholarships available or have kids too lazy to fill them out. Which means, untimately, that only 1 in 4 kids applies. I prefer the general $30,000 and under, $30,000-$60,000, and $60,000 and up approach. It gives them enough information when combined with an "explain any special circumstances space." I don't encourage my kids to chase either awards or gpa, but to take interesting, stimulating classes as well as the cores which they will find relevant to their future plans.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 06:45 pm: Edit

When I hear of the long lists of accomplishments, learning camps, clubs, awards, and programs that students think are absolutely necessary to put into a successful application---I begin to think they are applying for a spot in Heaven.

As many of you know, our daughters were home schooled---and did not have grades, GPAs, class clubs to join, varsity letters, deans list, honorary societies, or any of the other claptrap of what passes for secondary school educational achievements in America.

What our girls DID show on their applications, cover letters, and essays was a familiarity with good literature, a command of language that also revealed their personal integrity and interests, and a genuine desire to give and take in the college experience. Their SAT scores were right at the 50th percentile of the students at the colleges that they were accepted to.

I may be old fashioned, but I think there are many colleges out there that are impressed favorably with such a basic approach.

One thing I am certain of: if I sat on an adcom, I would fall in a complete stupor if I had to read list after list of "yearbook" accomplishments... and, for sure, I would reject anyone un-cool enough to list their "Who's Who" as a plus!

And... No... I do not expect to receive any invitations to sit on any adcoms!

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:37 pm: Edit

As a point of comparison, we know you can't buy your way into heaven, and there is no legacy system there. I, too, am amazed at the amount of time and money that some of these kids and their parents have extended in the pursuit of a perfect application--and I wonder what they've sacrificed along the way. For certain, morals and ethics seem to have been misplaced, if not abandoned, by some who post here. Realistically, we know your girls were both first in their class and without peers.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Well, both were actually in a class of one, and there were no peers within several miles--so being first was a slam dunk!

The eldest writes home from college awestruck that she meets so many really intelligent people.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 07:24 pm: Edit

Morgantruce: My point exactly. I'd be really concerned if she didn't meet lots of really intelligent people at college. My eldest has occasionally wondered if some of her peers had ringers take their entrance exams, either that or some have book sense with no common sense. Either way she is sometimes flabbergasted by the ignorance they display, things that every American ought to know.

By Meyer (Meyer) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 10:36 pm: Edit

We have just received the letter from NHR. I sent an email to relatives to inform them of how proud we were of my husbands son. Thankfully one relative informed us that it was a scam. I then came to this site. Thank you so much. We are now trying to contact my husbands son to make sure he is aware of the scam and not to pay a dime.

Does anyone know of any way to send a complaint about this company? I feel for all those people who cant really afford to buy this, but they do thinking it will help their child.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 11:20 pm: Edit

What's to complain about? The people who send in their money get exactly what they paid for--just as described. The fact that what they are getting is totally worthless doesn't seem to bother them, so why should it bother the rest of us?

If everyone completely stopped buying worthless stuff tomorrow morning, whatever is left of our economy would vanish by sundown.

-----

And yet... I've been in homes where three yearbooks and a Who's Who are the only books in the house.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 09:01 am: Edit

Morgantruce: I agree that lack of a family library is a crying shame. It seems many people--and I didn't say parents for a reason--don't understand that a love for reading is one of the most valuable gifts they can give children. We've had relatives who "insist" on giving my girls "something fun" as opposed to the books or tools they'd have preferred. A gift certificate to Half-Price books always brings a smile--but then so does a few bucks at the "Friends of the Library" book shelves. I don't know what we'd have spent in the last 18 years if not for our eight library cards (yes, I know about interlibrary loan--but there is nothing like the satisfaction of being able to immediately check out a book when you discover it.) As for me, one of my greatest desires is a large room lined with built in bookcases--and a good mug of tea.
P.S. I also think there should be a special spot in Hades reserved for those who throw away, rather than passing on, books after reading them.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 12:59 pm: Edit

Interlibrary loans are the best invention since paper. You can choose to live in a rural backwater and still get access to nearly any book you can think of--with the exception of very recently published books. The system takes you from "discovering" books (which is delightful) to the next level of targeted reading.

The room lined with built in bookcases has to have a 12' high ceiling, one of those library ladders that rolls on a rail, and leather easy chairs... in addition to the tea.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 08:00 pm: Edit

Morgantruce: I totally agree about interlibrary, but our local boonies library doesn't keep a current Books in Print, I debated the whole ladder concept, but have no ceiling other than in the stairwell tall enough to accommodate one--and if I put one there, I couldn't get anything larger than a double bed up or down the stairs as it bends back around and the corner's too tight as it is. The leather easy chairs need to be able to rock (or glide) little ones as well as have a foot rest or nearby ottoman, so I can elevate tired feet at the end of the day, and I'm there with you.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 02:26 am: Edit

I love interlibrary loans and I love even more being able to search for and reserve books online.
Even though I taught myself to read before I was four, I can count on one hand the books I owned before I was old enough to buy my own.
I guess I kinda made up for it with my own kids

I love bookstores too though. Too many fines from the libary cause we couldnt bear to bring it back.
I especially like Powells online http://www.powells.com/
even better than I like the store, it is just too big with too many choices.( it is so big that they have a fold out map so you can find your way around) I love that they have new books, remainders and used books side by side.
It has been very handy to have the biggest used bookstore in the same city as my daughters college. Oftentimes school bookstores only buy back what is going to be used next semester, and Powells has often had a really good selection of required books- especially freshman year when her Hum 110 class required 18 books for fall term.

I also recommend bestbookbuys.com
or the used section of Amazon.
Being a bio major she has needed very expensive texts with lots of color pages and CDs, we have found several brand new but overstock books through the used section of Amazon $23.00 instead of $140 was our biggest saving so far

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:48 am: Edit

Emeraldkity4: As the fifth of six children, we generally had some books laying around, and they reflected a wide interest range, but never enough to fulfill my desires for travel and horse stories in particular. Walter Farley and Marguerite Henry were my favorite authors. Boy, you brought back a memory with your comment on overdue fines on books kids can't bear to part with to return. My youngest could have owned The Hungry Caterpillar several times over for what we paid each time she hid this book each time I needed to take it back. The only thing which cost me more money was renting "HuggaBunch"--she was mesmerized with the concept of being able to step into an alternative environment, and would have loved to retrofit her mirror or closet. It wasn't surprising that she also liked The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Secret Garden, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and The Neverending Story. The only book I ever wanted to hide--I got tired of reading it, to the point of nausea--was Green Eggs and Ham which my eldest loved "bestest" as a determined and precocious one year old, and insisted upon EVERY morning and night. It disappeared during my seventh month of pregnancy with her sister--I just couldn't stand the thought of Green Eggs and Ham anymore, and there was no way I was risking having a second child fall in love with it. Strangely, it was her sister who developed the love for poetry--probably in utero.
I'm for any book venture which saves me money. I am certain that books are the major area that colleges consistently underestimate the cost of. My nephew's books cost more than his FA award. Thanks for the Powell link, I wasn't aware of it. I'd love to try out the Overstock.com site when funds allow--alas, no time soon, I'm afraid. I've saved a minor fortune on my daughter's AP guides and free reading selections at halfprice books. She detests getting a book with others'writing or personal thoughts/analysis in the margins, though, finds them distractive. I kind of enjoy them, but occasionally wonder what grade the poor critical reader got in their class--some of them are sooo far off the mark, grasping for meaning, or perhaps gasping for life in a class they had to be failing. I saved a bundle, paying 10-30% of SRP when a Hastings closed in my parents' hometown, though I hated to see it fail.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 10:30 am: Edit

Yes I remember The very hungry caterpillar, in boxing up books to save my husband saw You and Me-me going into the box and was horrified since that meant that he might have to possibly read it again in the future!

BTW the used books at Powells are generally in perfect shape, they do cite some books as student used, but you can specify the edition and condition that you require.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 06:33 am: Edit

I'm not familar with the You and Me-me book, but now I'll have to look it up to see what is no abhorrent! Chicka-Chica Boom Boom annoyed my brother and thrilled my niece who made up actions to go with the story. It astounded me how much the price of books had gone up from when we were kids (many were $.65 then, and none more than $1.25 except the expensive ones with kits or stickers. You about need to take out a mortgage when the kids bring home a book order form nowadays if they are avid readers. Support your local library and donate all extra books to homeless shelters (they can't check out books due to lack of a permanent address), hospital's children's ward, VA hospitals, or the local library or school!! I ordered a set of beginning reader books for my great niece (aged 2) and my eldest snagged off 2 for nostalgia, and her sister snared 2 others, so her personal library will begin with only 4 new books--and a bunch of used ones--if she'd just quit trying to write in all of them.
Thanks for the information on Powell's. S/H adds up too fast on these, so they'd have to be severely discounted to make it worthwhile.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 11:54 am: Edit

One more thing re: Powells- s&h is free if you purchase $50 of books- not hard to do.
I like it cause Oregon doesn't have sales tax and since I am in WA even if I get free shipping from Amazon I still have to pay tax ( and I think they are talking about raising it- soon it will be almost 10%)

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 09:08 pm: Edit

Emeraldkity4: yeouch on the sales tax, even our six percent adds up too quickly. Ten percent sounds--and must feel--like usury. It's nice to know about the free over fifty rule, and I agree too easy to reach quickly.

By Lkirkla (Lkirkla) on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 05:16 pm: Edit

Greetings all: National Honor Roll is a vanity press. You send them money; they print junk in their "commemorative yearbook." Doesn't mean a thing. Please see my posting at http://www.collegeconfidential.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?6/35760 Hope this helps.