Who's Who Among American High School Students
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Who's Who Among American High School Students is a web-site and publication (owned and managed by Educational Communications Inc.) that lists what it deems to be high school students "who have excelled in academics, extra-curricular activities and community service." It compiles and publishes a new edition annually in which these students' names and achievements are listed. According to the web-site, people who accept nomination for inclusion in the book are sometimes qualified for various scholarship opportunities. These students must apply for the scholarship and pay a fee for the application to be processed.
There has been much debate over the value of the book. Although it does not cost any money to be listed, it is often categorized as a scam since it is an attempt by a private company to make money through proud parents who purchase the book and various memorabilia (such as a "commemorative keychain") associated with the publication. Students' addresses are also used to solicit these items to their household even after they have declined a purchase. There have been concerns about how students are nominated as well as whether the listing's entries are fact-checked and accurate.
A significant number of students consent to being listed in Who's Who in the hope that this listing will be seen by college admissions offices as a significant recognition of a student's academic and extracurricular involvement. However, it is widely believed in the admissions community that the recognition has no such value. This is because the awarding organization has little academic prestige, and also because its selection criteria are not seen as rigorous or meaningful.
