Below are frequently asked questions by potential applicants and existing member.
Potential Applicants
Who is eligible to apply for NHS?
Juniors and seniors with a 90 or better GPA are eligible for NHS. You will be notified officially in August or September of your junior or senior year.
How many volunteer hours should an applicant have before applying?
There are no minimum volunteer hours required to apply. Generally, selected applicants have 25 or more hours each of their previous high school years. If you have never volunteered, get out and do so immediately to increase your chances.
How does the selection process work?
The faculty of the school will rate each applicant in addition a review of each application by the NHS Faculty Advisory Committee. The scores from each rating and review will be combined for an overall score. Applicants meeting the minimum score are selected and invited to join the organization.
Do I still have to do community service once I become a member?
Yes. Members are expected to earn at least 10 hours of volunteer service per semester. In addition, members must participate in one NHS-sponsored service project per school year.
How many new members are selected each year?
Their is no maximum number of new members selected each year. The quality of the candidates and applications varies each year. In theory, every candidate who applies could be selected; conversely, all candidates could not be selected.
Where do I find the application?
The application can be found on the Application page.
Do I need signatures/documentation for every activity I list on the application?
Yes. Any activity on the application that does not include a signature will be ignored. Signature, emails, letters, or other documentation proving participation are accepted.
When will I be notified if I am eligible to apply?
All potential candidates will be notified in late August or early September by letter delivered at school.
When will I be notified if I am selected to join NHS?
All applicants will be notified of the selection results in late September or early October.
Can an applicant who is not selected appeal the decision?
No. The selection decision is final. However, juniors who are not selected are encouraged to reapply their senior year.
When can I apply?
Students can apply after they have been formally notified that they are eligible to do so.
When are the applications due?
Applications are due in mid-September. Check your invitation letter for the official due date.
I have been invited to join but cannot attend the mandatory applicant meeting. Can I get the information from someone?
No. Candidates must attend the mandatory applicant meeting. Sessions are offered before and after school on the day of the meeting to accommodate extra-curricular activities. ONce the meeting has started, late arrivers will not be admitted. Candidates are expected to plan their day accordingly and work with their extra-curricular coaches/sponsors/directors to work out any conflicts. Missing due to practice or other obligations are not excusable.
Juniors and seniors with a 90 or better GPA are eligible for NHS. You will be notified officially in August or September of your junior or senior year.
How many volunteer hours should an applicant have before applying?
There are no minimum volunteer hours required to apply. Generally, selected applicants have 25 or more hours each of their previous high school years. If you have never volunteered, get out and do so immediately to increase your chances.
How does the selection process work?
The faculty of the school will rate each applicant in addition a review of each application by the NHS Faculty Advisory Committee. The scores from each rating and review will be combined for an overall score. Applicants meeting the minimum score are selected and invited to join the organization.
Do I still have to do community service once I become a member?
Yes. Members are expected to earn at least 10 hours of volunteer service per semester. In addition, members must participate in one NHS-sponsored service project per school year.
How many new members are selected each year?
Their is no maximum number of new members selected each year. The quality of the candidates and applications varies each year. In theory, every candidate who applies could be selected; conversely, all candidates could not be selected.
Where do I find the application?
The application can be found on the Application page.
Do I need signatures/documentation for every activity I list on the application?
Yes. Any activity on the application that does not include a signature will be ignored. Signature, emails, letters, or other documentation proving participation are accepted.
When will I be notified if I am eligible to apply?
All potential candidates will be notified in late August or early September by letter delivered at school.
When will I be notified if I am selected to join NHS?
All applicants will be notified of the selection results in late September or early October.
Can an applicant who is not selected appeal the decision?
No. The selection decision is final. However, juniors who are not selected are encouraged to reapply their senior year.
When can I apply?
Students can apply after they have been formally notified that they are eligible to do so.
When are the applications due?
Applications are due in mid-September. Check your invitation letter for the official due date.
I have been invited to join but cannot attend the mandatory applicant meeting. Can I get the information from someone?
No. Candidates must attend the mandatory applicant meeting. Sessions are offered before and after school on the day of the meeting to accommodate extra-curricular activities. ONce the meeting has started, late arrivers will not be admitted. Candidates are expected to plan their day accordingly and work with their extra-curricular coaches/sponsors/directors to work out any conflicts. Missing due to practice or other obligations are not excusable.
Members
How do I submit service hours?
Service hours should be submitted using the service hour form. Make sure it is complete including contact information for the sponsor. Emails, letters, and other forms of documentation supporting your service will be accepted on an exception basis.
I became a member my junior year. Do I have to reapply my senior year?
No. As long as you meet the service and grade requirements, your membership is automatically renewed.
What are the requirements to stay in good standing?
To stay in good standing members must earn at least 10 volunteer service hours each semester. In addition to the service hour requirements, members must participate in one NHS service project (Outreach) per year.
What is an NHS service project (Outreach)?
The Outreach projects are community-based volunteer efforts staffed completely by NHS members. They are our way of showing our presence within the community and giving back.
Does an Outreach project count towards my service hours?
No. It counts to satisfy your Outreach requirement. At times, Outreach projects of longer duration will also give participants service hours. However, this does not happen with all of them.
Service hours should be submitted using the service hour form. Make sure it is complete including contact information for the sponsor. Emails, letters, and other forms of documentation supporting your service will be accepted on an exception basis.
I became a member my junior year. Do I have to reapply my senior year?
No. As long as you meet the service and grade requirements, your membership is automatically renewed.
What are the requirements to stay in good standing?
To stay in good standing members must earn at least 10 volunteer service hours each semester. In addition to the service hour requirements, members must participate in one NHS service project (Outreach) per year.
What is an NHS service project (Outreach)?
The Outreach projects are community-based volunteer efforts staffed completely by NHS members. They are our way of showing our presence within the community and giving back.
Does an Outreach project count towards my service hours?
No. It counts to satisfy your Outreach requirement. At times, Outreach projects of longer duration will also give participants service hours. However, this does not happen with all of them.