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[lizardmom1]

Let's say a friend of mine works at a college in which faculty members and students often get nominated and recognized by "prestigious" groups/organizations/scams, etc. Now, my "friend's" college is seeking to award students who have been "selected" by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and those who have excelled in academics, etc.

One of my "friend's" students is truly excellent in many ways, and my "friend" would like to nominate him/her for this recognition. But, my "friend" does not want to: (a) participate in a scam, (b) perpetuate a scam by giving it her/his attention and/or recognition, or (c) expose his/her student to a scam for which said student cannot afford to pay any money for an "honor", a "listing" or a "book".

So, my question to the forum is this: Is Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges a legitimate company, or is it what my friend fears - a scam? Also, if it is a scam, is there some way my (untenured) friend can bring this to the attention of my friend's administrators (who seem to be unwilling and/or unable to recognize tons of other questionable organizations, etc.)?

[tee_bee]

It's a scam, in the sense that the "honor" it confers has no real value at all. It's not a scam in the sense that your name ends up in some book somewhere.

I was suckered into the "Who's Who Among American High School Students" thing in the late 1970s. As a B+ student, I thought this would burnish a weak record. Now, I sort of wince when I see these on resumes, CVs, and applications. If asked, I will warn and commiserate.

You can find some articles linked to the Wikipedia entry (not a primary source, I know) on Who's Who Among American Colleges... and the usual Who's Who stuff, such as http://charlotte.bbb.org/article/bbb-advice-whats-what-with-whos-who-directories-29633. The Wikipedia article appears to have started as a defense for this outfit. A few folks have gone in and added some balance. At least one college is cited as having treated WW as "exclusive."

Others may have had better experiences, although I rather doubt it.

[tee_bee]

Also, from http://oudaily.com/news/2009/mar/11/fake-honor-societies-scam-students/

Students with good grades usually receive invitations to join prestigious honor societies, but some invites are nothing more than a ploy to get money from unsuspecting students.

Honor societies are academic groups with the purpose of recognizing and promoting scholarship, leadership and research, said Dorothy Mitstifer, executive director for the Association of College Honor Societies.

Students are offered admission to honor societies based on their grade-point averages and amount of credit hours earned, said Alice Lanning, director of freshman programs.

The “recognition” society Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities was once thought of as a respected honor society, but now its standards are too low to be considered legitimate, Lanning said.

“Basically all you have to have [for Who’s Who] is a 2.0 and be able to breathe,” Lanning said.

Mitstifer said Who’s Who isn’t out to harm students, but its standards are not high enough to make it a legitimate society that will reflect well upon students.

Hence, the scammy, but not a full-on scam, nature of this thing.

[spectacle]

I was suckered into the "Who's Who Among American High School Students" thing in the late 1970s. As a B+ student, I thought this would burnish a weak record. Now, I sort of wince when I see these on resumes, CVs, and applications. If asked, I will warn and commiserate.

This.  My (less-educated, immigrant) parents coughed up the $50 or whatever it was to have my name included in the high school edition because they thought it was a Big Deal.

If I saw this on a cv, I'd think, "Hm, so you got suckered at a level at which I got suckered when I was 15, and you're not savvy enough to have realized it."

[glowdart]

So, my question to the forum is this: Is Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges a legitimate company, or is it what my friend fears - a scam? Also, if it is a scam, is there some way my (untenured) friend can bring this to the attention of my friend's administrators (who seem to be unwilling and/or unable to recognize tons of other questionable organizations, etc.)?

Are the administrators the kind who will pay for trips to the Oxford Round Table?  Do they, themselves, list Who's Who entries on their own CVs?  If so, then you're fighting a losing battle.

Personally, I've always wondered if there are institutional kickbacks or swag involved, because I cannot conceive of why otherwise acutely image-conscious people in my life would fall for these things with the regularity that they do. 

[systeme_d_]

Personally, I've always wondered if there are institutional kickbacks or swag involved, because I cannot conceive of why otherwise acutely image-conscious people in my life would fall for these things with the regularity that they do. 

I used to wonder.  Then I met some really, truly, completely clueless people.

[glowdart]

Personally, I've always wondered if there are institutional kickbacks or swag involved, because I cannot conceive of why otherwise acutely image-conscious people in my life would fall for these things with the regularity that they do. 

I used to wonder.  Then I met some really, truly, completely clueless people.

Good point.  Perhaps "I'm in denial because it's easier" is a more accurate assessment? 

[lizardmom1]

Personally, I've always wondered if there are institutional kickbacks or swag involved, because I cannot conceive of why otherwise acutely image-conscious people in my life would fall for these things with the regularity that they do. 

I used to wonder.  Then I met some really, truly, completely clueless people.

Good point.  Perhaps "I'm in denial because it's easier" is a more accurate assessment? 

I agree with all of the above. As my father used to say (and I am sure he got it from someone else), "de Nile" is not just a river in "de Egypt".

Also, for untenured folks working for the clueless, perhaps it is best to just STFU.

[systeme_d_]

Also, for untenured folks working for the clueless, perhaps it is best to just STFU.

Definitely, yes.

There was a senior scholar at my former place of employment who put the ORT prominently on her CV.  I felt bad, but even after I earned tenure, I didn't know her well enough to say anything.  I think that kind of conversation is nearly impossible to have with anyone but a close friend, or a subordinate.

[liminalist]

Here's a link to their (American Achievement Group Holding Corp.) 10-K filing from 2006. I believe the same company owns the Balfour and Art Carved jewelry lines as well.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1168468/000095013406022133/d41473e10vk.htm#102

Not an honor at all. Merely a business venture.

[larryc]

It is a legitimate business that compiles the names of gullible people so the rest of us may know who they are.

[mystictechgal]

It is a legitimate business that compiles the names of gullible people so the rest of us may know who they are.

Actually, the people listed are only gullible if they also buy the book*. Mere inclusion doesn't denote gullibility. They'll still include someone who chooses not to buy. (Nonetheless, I still think it's a scam and refused the "honor" when I was nominated by a professor last semester. I have better things to do with my time than write essays so that our "nominating committee" can decide if I was worthy of the initial nomination. My school apparently feels otherwise, if one is to judge by all of the notices of congratulations to this crop of "honorees" sent by email and posted on various bulletin boards and on various walls.)


*You can, however, tell which of those listed are, in fact, gullible. If they buy the book they get to submit their own extended profile. If they don't buy the book they are listed with only basic information with no customization or expansion.

[baphd1996]

Yes!

When I was in high school we were always told what a big deal being included in "Who's Who" was.  So when I received their letter saying I was nominated for inclusion I was truly excited.  Follow up letters informed me that I would need to send them money for printing; a copy would be sent to my school's library and to me.  So I sent the money, a couple of hundred of dollars.  Check cleared but I never received what I was promised.  I am constantly bombarded by letters requesting additional funds, but I learned my lesson.  For what it is worth, I still include in my CV that I was included in the 9th edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers".  Although after reading these other posts, I think I may delete it.

[tee_bee]

Here's a link to their (American Achievement Group Holding Corp.) 10-K filing from 2006. I believe the same company owns the Balfour and Art Carved jewelry lines as well.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1168468/000095013406022133/d41473e10vk.htm#102

Not an honor at all. Merely a business venture.

This is the winning comment. I never thought to investigate their corporate ownership, or find their 10-K. Brilliant!

[systeme_d_]

For what it is worth, I still include in my CV that I was included in the 9th edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers".  Although after reading these other posts, I think I may delete it.

Good lord, please do.