Frequently Asked Questions

To review frequently asked questions please scroll down the page or click on the subject link relating to your question.

About NHC

Student Selection for NHC

Application and Program Information

Tuition Payment and Cancellation Policy

Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

Student Safety and Security

Packing List and Dress Code

Field Trips and Recreational Activities

Housing, Food, &  Roommate Assignments

Arrival and Departure Information

About NHC

Q: What is the National Honors Convocation?
A: National Honors Convocation was founded by successful professionals in the fields of business, law, medicine, and television & film. These extraordinary individuals share a strong passion for their careers and a desire to help exceptional youth achieve similar goals.

Q:  What programs does National Honors Convocation Offer?

A:  NHC offers high school honors students the opportunity to attend programs in Communication & Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Leadership, Law & Advocacy, Medicine & Forensics, 0r Television & Film.

Q:  What are the dates and locations of the program?

A:   2009 Programs are as follows:

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Q:  How is the curriculum developed for each program?
A:   Each program is led by an Academic Director who is current in the field. The Academic Director helps to define and develop the curriculum to ensure that students are getting the most up to date and accurate view of their potential future career.

Q: Who are the Faculty and Guest Speakers for the NHC?
A: Guest speakers for each program are industry professionals with a wide variety of experience in the various program areas.  For a list of NHC key-note speakers, faculty, and guest speakers please click here.

Q:  Who are the Coaches for the NHC?

A:  Coaches for each NHC program are college students and educators working in each field.  Every coach is selected based on their focus on the career path and their experience in achieving the educational background to achieve those goals.  Coaches come from such prestigious schools as UCLA, USC, NYU, and Yale.

Q:  How do I obtain a Program Guide of NHC 2009 programs.

A:  2009 Program Guides will be available shortly.   Please send request to info@honorsconvocation.org and be sure to provide a complete mailing address.

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Student Selection for NHC

Q:  What are the qualifications required to attend NHC?

A:  Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to attend NHC. Each NHC is an intense academic experience reserved for students who want to extend their learning beyond the school year. 

Q:  How are students selected to attend NHC?

A:  Students are nominated by educators or identified as outstanding students through their academic performance and leadership.  We realize that it would be impossible for us to identify every deserving student, therefore, students are also able to complete a merit application.  Upon review of the application by the NHC office, a student will be admitted if they meet our academic requirements.

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Application and Program Information

Q:  What is the application deadline?

A:  Enrollments are taken on a first applied first accepted basis.  Space is limited and to ensure you receive your first choice program, please apply as soon as you are able.    If no space is available student have the option of being placed on a wait list.

Q:  How do I apply to an NHC program?

A:  For priority processing please register online by clicking here. 

You may also mail or fax your application.  2009 applications will be available shortly.(To download the NHC 2009 Application, you must have the Acrobat Reader Plugin. Click here to download a free adobe acrobat plugin if you do not already have it installed on your computer.)

Q:  When will I receive confirmation of my program?

A:  Within three business days of receiving your application, you will receive confirmation of your placement in a program or notification of your status on a waiting list.  If you are not placed into a program based on lack of availability, 100% of your deposit will be refunded.

Q:  Is there a wait list if my first or second choice program is not available?

A:  Yes, you will be placed on a wait list.  You can either remain on the wait list or withdraw your application.  If you withdraw your application you will receive a 100% refund of all monies paid.  If you stay on the wait list and are eventually admitted to a program your deposit will apply towards to the tuition.  If you are not removed from the wait list into a program you will receive a 100% refund of all monies paid.

Q: What if my child wants to participate in more than one program?
A: Students may choose to enroll in a second program.

Q:  When will I receive additional information about my students program?

A:  After a student enrolls in an NHC program, a written confirmation letter and press release will be sent by e- mail.  Shortly thereafter, they will receive a Welcome Packet e-mail that includes everything needed to finalize a student’s experience.  Included in the Welcome Pack will be all the required travel forms and the student handbook for the location of your program.  Each Handbook contains NHC policies, packing lists, and location information.  All travel forms and student handbooks will also be available in the enrolled student section of this web site.

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Tuition Payment and Cancellation Policy

Q:  What is tuition for the program and what does tuition cover?

A:  Tuition for all programs is $2299. Tuition includes housing, three meals a day, course materials, academic expenses, activities, transportation to all activities, airport pick-up and drop-off service to designated airports ONLY), 24-hour supervision, and access to 24-hour medical treatment (cost of any treatment is the responsibility of the family).

Q:  When is payment due for the program?

A:  A deposit of $400 is due with the student’s application. You will receive information in your Welcome Packet with your final payment deadline.  In all cases, final payment is do no later than thirty days prior to the program.  If you are applying to a program within thirty days, payment in full should be made at the time of registration.

Q:  What is your cancellation policy?

A:  If you have to cancel for any reason prior to May 1, 2009, you will receive a full credit valid for any program through 2010. The NHC office must be notified in writing by fax, e-mail, or mail. No credits will be issued for cancellations received on or after May 1, 2009. Cash refunds will only be given with the purchase of travel insurance.

Q:  Do you offer travel insurance?

A:  NHC offers families travel insurance for $99.00, due at the time of registration. Travel insurance entitles you to a full refund of all tuition paid if you cancel for any reason prior to May 1, 2009. If you cancel on or after May 1, 2009, you will receive a full credit valid for any program through 2010. The tuition credit is transferable to a family member or friend and is valid toward any NHC program. Separate travel insurance premiums at the rate of $99.00 must be purchased for each program in which a student is enrolled.

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Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

Q:  Does NHC provide scholarships for financial aid.

A:  Yes, NHC provides a number of scholarships awarded on a need/merit basis.  For complete details on our scholarship program please click here.

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Safety and Security

Q: What is the student to staff/coach ratio?
A: Our ratio of student to staff/coach is approximately 12 to 1.

Q: How are students supervised?
A: Students will be broken up into small groups.  Each group will be lead by a coach who has particular experience in the career field of that session. The law counselors are experienced mock trial competitors at the college level from such prestigious schools as Yale, NYU, and USC. TV and Film coaches hail from UCLA, USC, and NYU. In addition to the faculty and guest speakers, the coaches are a vital part of the students learning experience.

Q: How can you assure me my child will be safe?
A: The safety, security, and well-being of our students is our number one priority. All members of our staff will be trained in procedures to ensure the safety and security of every student participant. Some of the safety measures include bed checks every night, count-offs before leaving any location, small groups, high student to staff ratio. Students are supervised 24 hours a day. Counselors and staff live in the residence halls with the students and join in all their evening activities. In addition there will be a director of student safety and security and a director of student well being on site.

Q: What is your policy on drugs and alcohol?
A: Drugs, alcohol and smoking are strictly forbidden and constitute, along with general misconduct, grounds for immediate dismissal from camp without a refund.

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Packing List and Dress Code

Q: What do I need to bring to the program?
A: A packing list of everything that students should bring with them will be provided with the Welcome Packet and is available in the enrolled student section of this web site. 

Q:  What is the Dress Code?

Dress for the majority of the program is business casual or casual attire. During portions of the program, students will be required to wear professional attire (coat and tie for males-- suit/slacks and blouse or dress for females).  Students will need one to two professional dress outfits, three to four business casual outfits and casual outfits for the remainder of the time. A detailed packing list can be found in the student handbook under travel information in the enrolled student section of this website.

Q: How much spending money should my student bring for the program?
A: All necessary expenses are covered by the program including all meals. Students should bring extra money for souvenirs, bookstore purchases, or extra snacks. We recommend $75.00-$100.

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Field Trips and Recreational Activities

Q: Will there be off campus trips?
A: Yes, there will be a variety of off campus trips. Students will have the opportunity to visit famous sites in each location such as Santa Monica Pier, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Boston's Quincy Market and D.C.'s Union Station.  Trips will be fully supervised within our faculty/student ratio in safe vans or buses with approved drivers.

Q: What recreational activities will be available?
A: The recreational facilities at each University have limited student use.  Depending on their schedules, students may have time to enjoy these supervised recreational activities.  LMU requires a signed permission slip before any student under 18 is allowed to use the facilities.  This form will be available in the enrolled student section of this website.

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Housing, Food & Roommate Assignments

Q:  Where will students be staying?

A:  Students will be staying in dorms at each campus.  As the program date draws near specific information about the dorm students will be assigned to will be provided.

Q:  Can I send letters and packages to my student during their stay at NHC?

A:  Yes.  Mailing information will be provided as the program nears.

Q: What are the room accommodations?
A: Students will be housed two to a room. Linens and towels are provided.  Washcloths are not provided and many students prefer to bring their own towels.

Q: What is the food like?
A: Each campus offers a wide variety of food each day.  Food is served buffet style in the cafeteria and each meal will contain choices for vegetarians.  Students will have the opportunity to make special requests, such as Kosher meals, by completing their dietary needs form.  This form will be available in the enrolled student section in January. 

Q: Can my student request a roommate?
A: Yes, students are able to make room requests and NHC will do everything we can to accommodate such requests. 

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Arrival and Departure Information

Q: What time will registration start on the first day of the program?
A: Registration will begin the first day of the program at 12:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.  If you are dropping your student off at the program, you should plan to arrive during these hours.

Q.  If I am driving my student to the program where do I drop them off.

Detailed directions to the campus will be available in January.

Q: If I am picking my student up what time should I pick them up?
A: Checkout for parents picking their students up will be between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Students will only be released to the guardian listed on the initial application or the the travel form and will not be released to any individual without proper identification.

Q: If my student is flying to the program, Is transportation to and from the airport available?
A: If your student flies into the designated airports listed below at the designated times, shuttle service will be provided.

Designated Shuttle Times:

Shuttle service is included in the NHC tuition for arrivals between the hours of 12:00-4:00 p.m. on arrival day and prior to 12:00 noon on departure day.   Shuttle service outside of these hours may not be available or will only be available for an additional shuttle fee.

Designated Airports:

Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Boston, Massachusetts - Logan International Airport (BOS)

Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland -  Baltimore Washington International Airport ( BWI)

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. - Reagan International Airport (DCA) or Baltimore Washington

        International Airport (BWI)

Q: How will my students be met at the airport?
A: Prior to the program, you will complete a travel form informing NHC of your student’s flight information. Based on that information, NHC staff will meet students at baggage claim wearing burgundy NHC Shirts with a name tag and signs. NHC staff will help students collect their luggage and escort them to a bus that will transport them directly to the program sight.  The travel information form will be available in the enrolled student section of the web site in January.

Q: What time should my student arrive at the airport?
A: Student flights should arrive into the designated airports between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Any deviation from this schedule needs to be cleared by the program office prior to booking a flight reservation. The program sites do not allow students to check in prior to noon and if students arrive later than 4:00 p.m. to the airport, they will risk missing some of the program activities.

Q: What time should I schedule the departure flight?
A: Departing flights should be booked the last day of the program and leave the designated airport prior to 12:00 p.m. 

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