A Very Real NHS Application

By Amy Yang

Membership into the National Honor Society is an honor. The Faculty Council is charged with selecting students who have outstanding achievement in the four pillars: Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Character. In order to help the faculty council better understand the strengths of your candidacy, write a short essay addressing how you fit the ideals of NHS. 

Let me begin by addressing my achievements in the pillar of scholarship. I am very smart, smarter than almost everyone else in my grade; that’s why I belong in NHS. I also work very hard. I have a 4.0. Some people ask me, why do you work so hard? Well, I enjoy smiling smugly when I tell people that I have a 4.0, like I am doing right now. 

Scholarship is very important to me, but my outstanding achievements don’t stop there. Did I mention that I’m in nine clubs and a sports team? I am an exec for five of them, too. Look at this, I am pure leadership material. Everyone wants me to lead (that is, until I got elected and stopped being responsible). But it’s the title that matters, right? It’s fine to ditch a meeting or two here and there... or all of the meetings... As long as I don’t lose my position, I can still reference them when I talk about what a great leader I am. On the downside, you probably haven’t heard of any of these clubs because they are practically nonexistent—except on my resume.  

Of my nine clubs, most of them are service-related because I’m a selfless altruist. (Look at my use of the word “altruist;” it’s proof of my outstanding scholarship.) This aspect of my character makes me fit the NHS ideal of service. I am joining NHS out of my love of serving others. It means nothing to me that NHS is a prestigious-sounding club that looks terrific on my college apps. I’m not sure what NHS does, but you should admit me because I love to serve.

You may also notice that I am very ambitious from my outstanding achievements in scholarship and leadership. One day, I want to graduate from a top-notch college, earn lots of money, and spend my days climbing the corporate ladder. NHS’s structure echoes my elitist values, and joining this organization is my first noble step in life. 

Thank you for considering me as an applicant. After you have read this application, I am sure you have realized that it is not I who need you, but it is you who need me.

Editor's Note: This satirical piece was written in response to the essay question for NHS applications in the 2016-2017 school year. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Pudong Press.