Who's Who Among American High School Students

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Who's Who Among American High School Students was 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, extracurricular activities and community service."

1 About
2 Criticism
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] About

Who's Who Among American High School Students compiles and publishes an annual edition in which students' names and achievements are listed. According to the website, 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.

Who’s Who Among American High School Students is one of three publications produced by Educational Communications, Inc. (ECI). ECI is part of American Achievement Corporation (AAC)[2], located in Austin, Texas. AAC is one of 11 companies owned by Fenway Partners[3], based in New York City. ECI [4]ceased operations on November 1, 2007.

Who’s Who Among American High School Students was founded in 1967 by an Illinois family, who after seeing media reports questioning the values of American teens amidst the social upheavals and demonstrations of the late 1960’s, decided to recognize the positive achievements of the many students like those they knew whose goal was to make a positive difference in their communities, get good grades, and continue their education.^{[citation needed]} Out of this grew Who’s Who Among American High School Students. During the last 40 years, Who’s Who has recognized millions of students who have met the requirements of having a minimum GPA, as well as demonstrating their involvement in extracurricular activities and community service organizations. The company says the students in Who’s Who represent the top 5% of American students.^{[citation needed]}

The company’s operations and practices are overseen by a variety of advisory groups made up of teachers, admissions officers, counselors, parents, and students. They also have a Committee on Ethics, Standards, and Practices who created The Who’s Who Standards.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2007, ECI has ceased all operations and no longer publishes Who's Who Among American High School Students^[1].

[edit] Criticism

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 and students who purchase the book and various memorabilia (such as a "commemorative keychain") associated with the publication in attempt at recognition. There have been concerns about how students are nominated as well as whether the listing's entries are fact-checked and accurate^[2]^[3].

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, most admissions officers believe that the recognition has no such value^[4]^[2]. For instance, according to the admissions vice president of Hamline University, "It's honestly something that an admissions officer typically wouldn't consider or wouldn't play into an admissions decision," adding that Who's Who is just trying to sell books.^[3]