[Grant Cox]

I was denied induction because a week before the mandatory service hours were due, the place I was supposed to volunteer at cancelled on me and rescheduled. Then they cancelled the new date, and by this point it was too late to find somewhere else. I was 2 hours short, and honestly, membership in something like that shouldn't be based on something silly like a set number of service hours.

I have the leadership qualities, the good school qualities, etc. I also put in WAY more than the required amount due to FIRST activities (helping with FLL, river cleanups, etc), but for some odd reason they only allow 4 hours per activity if it's not "NHS sponsored."

I've talked to college friends, one of which actually deals directly with the admissions department at CalTech. They all say that NHS involvement plays little to no role in your application consideration. In my case, I can still consider the hours I did accomplish as general "community service."