NHS Selection Rubric

Student applications will be assigned points for in the following areas: GPA, co-curricular activities, leadership positions, community service, work experience, and essay responses. An incomplete application is to be automatically discarded. (Lacking an activity in any of the four sections: activities, leadership positions, community service, or work experience does not constitute an incomplete.) In total, fifteen points are possible. No applicant is expected to achieve a 15, and no one section is indented to make or break an application. A score of 10 or higher is grounds for admittance into NHS. Points are to be awarded thus:
1. GPA: An applicant with an un-weighted GPA lower than a 3.5 is to be discarded.
○ 3.5 is awarded zero (0) points
○ 3.6-3.8 is awarded one (1) point
○ 3.8-4.0 is awarded two (2) points
2. Co-Curricular activities: The intent is to award students who focus on one sport/ club, as well as those who enjoy a large array.
● A continual involvement in co-curriculars each term throughout high school is awarded two (2) points
● Involvement in two or more activities are awarded one (1) point
● Involvement in one or less activities will be awarded no (0) points
3. Leadership positions: As some students, particularly juniors and seniors, have more opportunity to obtain positions, this section is weighted less than the others.
● One or more leadership position is awarded one (1) point
● No leadership positions are awarded no (0) points
4. Community Service: This section is weighted to highest as, service is a large part of NHS.
● One (1) point is awarded for every activity in which five or more hours has been logged
○ An additional point is given for each additional five hours
● One-Half (1/2) a point is given for all activities in which less than five hours has been logged
○ No more than five points may be obtained in this section
5. Work experience: As work often prevents students for taking part is sports and vice versa, the two sections are to be scored the same. Awards are not to be considered.
● A continual involvement in a job or internship throughout high school is awarded two (2) points
○ Change in position does not constitute disrupted involvement
● One paid or internship position, held for less than a year , will be awarded one (1) point
● No involvement is awarded no (0) points
6. Essay: The essay questions are to be awarded three (3) or no (0) points. A missing essay results in the application being discarded.
● A “3” essay is written well, with proper language usage and appropriate content
● A “0” essay is short (a few sentences) or off topic
○ Examples of both are provided
7. Character: Student character is to be evaluated by investigation into criminal and school violation records. These are not to be counted in the points as students are not being rewarded for being “good” but rather punished for breaking policy/law. If an applicant achieves a score of 10 or more and is selected to be inducted, records will be opened. The following disqualify applicants:
● Any violation, past or present, of state or federal law invalidates a candidate. (Traffic misdemeanors are not to be counted for these purposes.)
● A combination of five documented lunch detentions and/or in-school suspensions
● Two or more out of school suspensions
The faculty council and officer council, reserve to right to question applicants on any of the experiences, activities or positions cited on application.
Essay examples:
3 levels:
Community is something that has always been important to me as a student. On my own, it is difficult to arrange valid and constructive community service projects. The structured opportunities for service which NHS provides are a major draw for me. Along with these, I hope to use NHS to distinguish myself as a student and community member. The responsibility and expectations required of a group member are things that I hold myself to already and, with admittance, will bring to benefit the Summit Chapter of NHS.
For me, education is an important part of the Bend area. While in NHS, I would like to see the groups spent time working with the school system. Specifically aiding elementary children, who, due to language, learning or social barriers are struggling in school. Projects could range from organized reading help, to school beatification. As leaders in the high school level, NHS should be leading the way in education aid wherever we can.
Zero levels:
I would like to be accepted into NHS because I am a hard worker. I am also excited to take part in the club. With admittance, my diligence and hard work will help the group and its image.
Education is a big deal to me. NHS should take part in helping children learn to read and do good in school.