<p>do you think they're really significant? it seems to me that everyone here has sort of entered the same contests and stuff (no offense), but it seems largely irrelevant to me. i mean, i'm sure they see that yeah, if you can win a spelling bee you probably have a good vocabulary, but they will be bale to see that in your test scores and grades, really.. like, national spelling bee is impressive, but do you think its very important? and don't you think they can tell when EC's aren't as important as they seem to be (ie, poetry contest winner, when there are many poetry contests and scams? or, "most improved player", or spelling bee of small school, or national honor society, or presidential physical fitness award).. do they just see this as a student who has the same intellectual range as others but would like to prove it/was entered automatically by teacher, etc.).. does it matter if you demonstrate great determination and you're well rounded in other parts of the application?</p>
<p>Really, no, I don't think that they care that much about a school spelling award or "most improve player", because they probably do figure that most kids applying are high achievers in their school. Besides, they know that not all kids have the opportunity those. For example, at my school, we don't have spelling bees or athletic awards, or poetry contests. If a child did something like win the National Spelling Bee, then they might take notice of that, but I think it more expresses what you do in your time than anything else.</p>
<p>well id go ahead and just list everything, imean you'd be surprised, some ppl dont have those. again, anything that'll show admissions that ur a movtivated and accomplished person.</p>
<p>lol or least thats what im doing- but then again i know that my candidacy isnt as strong as alot of ppl's out there.</p>
<p>Well, both of us repliers have gone on to county spelling bees, so if you really want to know, the admissions people ARE interested if you've won these sorts of awards, and they are interested in people who have managed to stand out and to succeed in their school. Remember, this all has to be applied to real life, right? Pure determination will not get you anywhere unless you make yourself stand out, and the application pools are not going to be as strong as those applying to colleges, so winning a school bee would be considered very admirable to the admission's office.</p>
<p>Should I put down something like:</p>
<p>"Second place school wide geography bee" Middle school has about 500 students</p>
<p>"Third place school wide spelling bee" The top 10 spellers from each grade were selected to compete in the school wide bee</p>
<p>It seems to me that they want this information. I think almost all the applications include room for awards, honors, etc. If they didn't think it was important, they would not include room for it on the application. If you read what admissions is looking for in the viewbooks and on the websites, you will see that, in general, they are looking for people who will contribute to the life of the school community.</p>
<p>What is more challenging is when you're in a situation that my child is in. Absent the spelling bee, the school is very noncompetitive - no ranking, no honor roll, no awards given, clubs and activities but no officers, presidents, etc.</p>
<p>creative1 -- Your child can include accomplishments and explain that there are no awards, etc. He/she should emphasize how he/she will contribute to the school community, and demonstrate how he/she has contributed to the current school. Doesn't your child have artistic talent?</p>
<p>Some of that is just boasting.. be careful what you say... I woudl only put down things you've come in first place but more importantly i would explain how that proves that you should attend whatever school</p>
<p>I agree with Burb Parent and sympathize with Creative 1. If you earn an award or won a contest that you are proud of, then state it in the application where appropriate. No sense in holding back because none of us can judge which may or may not be important.</p>
<p>A word of caution: be careful about the advice you give others, particularly if it can be viewed as discouraging. The students looking for opinions in this forum are likely to be feeling vulnerable in the world of highly selective admissions and there are very few experts among us.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice </p>
<p>Burb parent - Intend to follow your advice e.g. explaining the non-competitive environment, the initiative she has taken to seek out opportunities, the commitment she has shown for many, many years to her various artistic interests. I would think BSs would consider that applicants come from all types of schools from very noncompetitive to those that throw out awards left and right. Although I can find the noncompetitive nature of her school frustrating at times, it can also be refreshing because it encourages all students to get involved and challenge themselves for their own sake not for accolades. She has no lack of involvement and achievement - it just isn't documented in a "captain of this, president of that, 1st place in the other" kind of way.</p>
<p>Thank you, Brighty (speaking for everyone).</p>