Statement Regarding NHS (National Honor Society) and CSF (California Scholarship Federation)

Traditionally in our district, many students have applied to either/both NHS and CSF. Usually, students join these organizations because they believe that by doing so they will increase their likelihood of being accepted to a competitive university. Because CCA is a new school, and because we have a chance to establish our own identity, we decided to speak directly with various top-tier universities (Stanford, Cal Tech, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Duke, etc.) regarding their impression of NHS and CSF. In ALL cases, admissions reps emphatically agreed that being a member of NHS and/or CSF does NOT increase a student's likelihood of being accepted to any particular university WHATSOEVER. Based on this valuable feedback, CCA has decided not to take part in either NHS or CSF. For parents or students who are concerned that other schools in our district currently offer both programs, please keep in mind the following:

Colleges do not do "school to school" comparisons...your CCA student is compared only against his or her grade-level class at CCA, not against students who may participate in NHS or CSF at other schools. Because CCA does not participate in NHS or CSF, NO student is a member, and there is absolutely no disadvantage whatsoever when they apply to any colleges.

The reason membership in either or both NHS and CSF does not increase a student's chances of acceptance to any university is because ALL of the information that a student would potentially use to try and qualify for NHS/CSF should be included on his or her transcript/college application.

Rather than relying on such organizations as NHS/CSF in the hopes of strengthening your application, CCA suggests that you heed this advice instead:

http://teachers.sduhsd.net/cccounseling/volunteer.html