Welcome to the NHS Student/Parent Meeting Informational Meeting

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Welcome to the NHS Student/Parent
MeetingInformational Meeting
Beth Sands and Dan Lake Advisors
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Congratulations!

• You must be here for a reason!
• You have worked hard to earn the grades to get an
  invitation.
• You have worked hard to develop an amazing
  repertoire of leadership and service experiences.
• You have received several honors and awards.
• You have become a member of and participated in
  several groups and teams.
• The hard work has already been done!

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The Basics

• In order to apply for membership into the
  Linganore High School National Honor Society, you
  must
• Have and maintain a cumulative weighted grade
  point average of 3.5 or higher.
• Prepare and submit a complete application by the
  noted due date. (October 7th)

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The Application

• Important Dates
• Application deadline October 7th
• Notification (by mail) the week of October 21st
• Induction October 30th

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The Application

• The Cover Sheet
• Please read over all of the information on this
  sheet.
• This must be signed by BOTH the student and the
  parent/guardian and attached to the final
  application packet.

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The Application

• Leadership Record Form
• Leadership can be displayed in many different
  ways from school positions to community
  positions.
• For example
• club officer
• team captain,
• coach
• teacher of young children
• organizing and leading a group service project,
• any paid management positions.

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Leadership Record Form

• Leadership roles must have been held between
  grades 9-12
• Leadership does not include merit positions such
  as lead role in a play or first chair in a bands
  flute section, or more passive jobs such as
  babysitting---unless you have taken on leadership
  roles in those positions.
• For example You are first chair in the flute
  section of the marching band and lead practice
  and/or rehearsal

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The Application

• Service Record Form
• Service is considered any experience in which you
  volunteered (unpaid) your time in a way that
  bettered your school and/or community.
• For example
• active participation in a service
  club/organization
• boy/girl scout service projects
• church service projects
• Volunteering at a service event for a specific
  cause

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Service Record Form

• Service activities must have been completed
  during grades 9-12
• Service does not include any work done as a
  standard part of class curriculum, since you
  receive compensation for the work in the form of
  school credit.

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The Application

• Co/Extracurricular Activities Record Form
• Include all clubs and/or teams to which you
  belong or have belonged.
• It is important to see that you have been a part
  of a variety of clubs and/or teams either in or
  out of school.
• Do not have your parent/guardian sign for the
  advisors signature (unless the advisor no longer
  works at LHS).
• Include COPIES of pictures if you have them.
• Only list clubs and activities from grades 9-12

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The Application

• Work Experience, Honors and Awards Record
• Include any work experience you have/had
• Include all awards, honors, or recognitions you
  have earned.
• Include verification with a signature or a COPY
  of the document.
• Only include work, awards, honors or recognitions
  you have earned in grades 9-12

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The Application

• The NHS Written Statements
• In 250 words or less, respond to the given
  prompts using your best writing and thinking
  skills.
• The council evaluates the essay based on
• Mechanics (grammar and usage)
• Structure/organization
• Content/elaboration/explanation
• Creativity

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Second Time Applicants

• Second time applicants MUST answer the 3rd prompt
  as well.
• This written statements requires that you
  describe what you have done to improve your
  application for this year.
• NOTE Only those who applied last year must
  answer this question.

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What Makes A Great Application?

• Great applications are well-organized, neat,
  tidy, complete and show a variety of experiences
  (format included) 
• They do not contain any errors. 
• They are complete and turned in on time. 
• The quality of experiences, how a student can
  convey those experiences, and outstanding written
  statements with fresh ideas

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What Makes a Great Application?

• Students must  understand what LEADERSHIP and
  SERVICE is and that INVOLVEMENT must take place
  over a period of time. Quality VS Quantity
• Clarity of your descriptions and explanations is
  paramount in the councils understanding of the
  applicants experience (s)

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Where Do We Most Commonly See Mistakes

• Listing activities as both service and leadership
  but not distinguishing how the student's role
  fulfilled both criteriaClear description is key
  in the explanation/description column of the
  chart.
• Sloppy applications and grammar/ punctuation
  mistakes in the essay. 
• Not explaining the organizations and activities
  well enoughdont assume the council knows
  everything
• Not getting signatures, having parents sign for
  majority of activities, or forging signatures 
• Completing the application at the last minute
  (this will be obvious) 

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General Advice

• Start immediately. 
• Follow all directions. 
• Set a timeline for completion of the application,
  giving yourself several days before it is
  actually due.  Stick to the timeline. 
• Accept responsibility for completing the
  application, but get help if needed---ask a
  current NHS member for suggestions and/or help.
• No need to include copies of report cards and
  honor roll certificates-we have access to your
  transcripts.
• Avoid "fluff" in your written statements,
  brainstorm ideas that are creative but realistic,
  communicate clearly, use formal register, have
  someone proofread your writing. Rememberyou do
  have English Teachers!

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General Advice

• Be courteous and respectful in all communication
  with staff members at LHS and in the community.
• Letters of recommendation at NOT required, but
  you can include them if you like.
• Pick your best qualities and then demonstrate how
  you show those qualitiesSell Yourself! 
• And once againproofread!

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Application Due Date October 7th

• Are there any questions?