"The National Society of Leadership and Success"? Is it BS?

[ratiocinate]

Hey Guys,

I just got some invitation letter for "The National Society of Leadership and Success". Is it one of those "pay $80 for a tshirt and certificate", or is it a legit society? Is it worth pursuing for my med school application?

Thanks!
ratiocinate

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[claduva94]

 

[gyngyn]

I've never paid for any honor I've ever received.

 

[Mr Roboto]

If you're paying to be honored then it isn't an honor.

 

[Dr. Retractor]

I've received at least 3 different National Society of --- or --- Honor Society invitations that were BS. They usually require payment for attendance to some event and membership. They say they offer scholarships and tons of benefits, but in my experience - and that of people who I know who joined some of these "societies" - they're worthless.

 

[claduva94]

I've heard the only society you should join is PBK or its equivalent.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

Ignore honor society invites unless it is on your campus and they are recognized as an on-campus organization.

 

[deleted407021]

Bee ess.

 

[AspiringERMD]

There are a few that are actually straight-up scams. I almost fell for one when I was an undergrad, but I googled around first and discovered that it was.

 

[ratiocinate]

Yeah, haha at the end of their long letter it said "Please pay your one-time $85 membership fee".

 

[allantois]

You can join them if they have a chapter on campus. You can just treat it as a club.

 

[Catalystik]

Don't waste your money.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

It is more of a student organization which involves leadership training, practice of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time restricted) goals and use of small groups to keep you accountable, community service, etc than an honor society. The time commitment involved in being inducted as a lifetime member was greater than other orgs I've been in, and the one-time $85 dollar was a bit steep, but in terms of personal development, I feel I got more out of being a member and later a chapter officer of this org than I got out of any other student org on campus. If you just pay the $85 and don't complete the requirements involved in becoming a lifetime member, you do not get a certificate nor a t-shirt.

EDIT: At my school chapter, people who wanted to know more about the organization and requirements involved in becoming a lifetime member were allowed to attend New Member Orientation before paying the fee and officially joining. Perhaps this might be an option at your school.
And just for verification, the national website of the org I am speaking of is http://www.societyleadership.org/

 

[ratiocinate]

@whatbout2morrow It's still BS. If I wanted "accountability" I'd just hit up some of my real friends. If I wanted more community service, I'd contact the student services/organization center for free advice. If I wanted personal development, I'd get involved in a real organization. Some losers may need to pay for these things, but I don't.

On a second note, I could use some extra cash for med school. Maybe I'll start my own bull**** honor society, the "International Society of Meritorious Scholarship, Excellence, and Bravery" and charge stupid premeds $100. 24 kids from 100 colleges each one with a $100 fee. $240,000. 😉