<p>i basically have 0 awards and i will never know if i will even get one. will that affecct my chances for admission (or for anybody?)</p>
<p>It depends on the awards. Awards on the regional/national level are important if you have them. Local awards such as from your high school are not too important. Some high schools give awards and others don't. I would say that your EC's are important and any awards that you have to show achievement in your EC's would be helpful.</p>
<p>ok thank you. oh wait, i have 1 haha i forgot. but still... just one... not national merit or something like that... :(</p>
<p>Awards are basically a confirmation that you're doing something other than sitting around and being mediocre, so if you have leadership in some activities it should have a similar effect... I think. Some places get more local award opportunities than others, and some activities also lend themselves to awardmongering more easily than others. Somebody in Forensics/Speech and Debate will rake up more awards than the drama club kid. Adcoms would know that.</p>