Pine Richland National Honor Society

1. Pine RichlandNational Honor Society Helpful Hints for the Application Process

2. Academic Eligibility • Academic eligibility requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 • Any student, not currently an NHS member, rising into 11th or 12 grade that meets the qualifying minimum GPA receives a candidacy packet • Candidacy packets are mailed to the student’s home address on record • Academic eligibility qualifies a student for candidacy • Candidates must complete the application process to be considered for membership

3. Candidacy • Membership is not automatically conveyed simply because of academic eligibility • NHS is not an honor roll • Membership is for students that have genuine interest and experience in service and leadership • Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council on the condition of their having met the standards for selection based upon: scholarship, character, service and leadership • Application is the only information available to the faculty council

4. Candidacy • Applications are anonymous (student ID only) • Your previous reputation or relationships within the school community are not known or assumed • Invest time to carefully complete each section according to the instructions • Represent “your best” on the application in each section • All sections should be complete with details provided • Incomplete and/or late applications will not be reviewed

5. Application Materials Candidacy Packet includes: • Letter of Eligibility • Candidacy Packet Checklist • NHS Selection Criterion • Teacher Recommendation Forms (2-blue) • Community Member Recommendation (1-purple) • Leadership Evaluation Forms (2-yellow) • NHS Requirements Agreement (1-green) • Directions to online NHS Application

6. Beginning the Application Process • Confirm that you have all required documents • Read “NHS Selection Criterion & Requirements” to understand the challenge & commitment of NHS membership • Carefully read the checklist paying close attention to: • Instructions for completion of candidacy process • Due dates • Submittal instructions • Be sure to complete all required documents AND the online application form available at: www.pinerichland.org/nhs

7. Candidacy Form & Essay • Available for download on the NHS website • Must be typed & printed (handwritten forms will not be accepted) • Primary document for the faculty council • Only chance to convey how you meet the qualifications of character, service & leadership • Provide adequate details to evidence your qualifications • Invest time in your answers and proofread • Faculty council evaluates the entire application & all required documents

8. Evaluation & Recommendation Forms • Forms are given serious consideration by the faculty council • Carefully select your recommenders (can not be a peer or family member) • Be sure that the individuals you have selected for each form can evidence your qualities and experiences with concrete examples and details • “Leading by example” and “will represent NHS well” are not adequate statements to evidence your qualities as an individual committed to service and leadership • Give your recommenders adequate time to complete the required form • Communicate to your recommender the importance of their evaluation/recommendation

9. Evaluation & Recommendation Forms • Forms are confidential • Candidate (and parents) have waived the right to view the evaluations/recommendations • Candidate name should not appear on the forms • Only student ID# should be on the actual form • Provide recommenders with an envelope that has your name written on a removable post-it note • Forms should be submitted in the signed/sealed envelope • Please follow the submittal instructions carefully for all forms

10. Community Member Recommendation Form • attests to character & ability to meet the requirements of PR-NHS • provides evidence & observations of specific actions or behaviors that demonstrate the strong character of the candidate

11. Leadership Evaluation Forms • Submit TWO leadership evaluations • attests to leadership ability & experiences • Provides evidence and observations of specific actions that qualify this student as a leader • Stating a title or the responsibilities of a given positions is not sufficient

12. Teacher Evaluation Forms • Submit TWO teacher evaluations • One must be a core subject teacher • Provides evidence & observations of specific actions or behaviors that demonstrate the strong character of the candidate

13. MembershipRequirements And Acknowledgement of NHS Commitment • Candidate & parents must indicate their understanding of the requirements with a signature • Important to fully understand the requirements to avoid strikes or dismissal • Complete policies & procedures are on the NHS website: www.pinerichland.org/nhs • Form submitted separately from candidacy packet

14. Submittal Instructions • Arrange all forms in order according to the checklist • Attach all forms using a paper clip – do not staple • Recommendation forms requiring a sealed envelope should remain in the envelope with student ID (not your name) marked on the front • Place all materials – forms and sealed envelopes - in a large (9”x12” or 10”x13”) sealed envelope with your student ID # on the front (do not fold documents) • Submit the signed Pine-Richland Chapter Membership Requirements agreement separately in a mailing envelope with your name marked on the front • Submit to Room 424 on Friday, September 12 no later than 2:30pm