<p>Some of the colleges I'm applying to don't specifically state whether or not they care about any awards or activities before high school. Should I bother mentioning being a state finalist for something I did in fifth grade? How about 8th grade? The awards are a little off the beaten path, but I'm unsure of whether or not they would make me look like I'm trying to stretch the achievement section a bit. What should I do?</p>
<p>Generally, colleges do not care about what you did before high school, unless it's something truly extraordinary - like winning the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee. Leave them out.</p>