1. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership Pine Richland National Honor Society Helpful Hints for the Application Process

2. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership Academic Eligibility Academic eligibility requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 Any student, not currently an NHS member, rising into 11 th 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership Membership Requirements 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. Scholarship  Character  Service  Leadership 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