<p>I have an unweighted 3.7, strong SATs and ACT, very focused extracurriculars(e.g, founded vegan club, U.N. club officer and editor of paper, etc), a steady job, volunteer work, all APs and hardest classes since 9th grade...but I haven't won athletic or academic awards...(well, I have. But IMO not many or very good ones.)</p>
<p>Will an Ivy League be stretch for me if I don't have a bunch of awards or distinctions? Do I need to start competing more, entering writing competitions, or anything like that if I want to go to an Ivy League?
How important is it that applicant are big award winners?
-Maureen</p>
<p>Well ivies are stretches for just about everybody. However, I don't think it's a big deal to not have awards. You've shown in your ECs that you will contribute to the college community; that's what's important.</p>
<p>It's the total package. Very few applicants, even to the Ivies, have really significant awards (National Debate Awards, Siemens Finalist, etc.). Many are like you (and me, etc.) and have a few more middling awards. Some have good but not spectacular awards (All-state Music/sports--not spectacular for Ivies). A lot of that depends on your extras--there's not that many awards opportunities for the Vegan Club or community service or for having a job. Those are still good activities--it's not your fault that the awards aren't there for the taking. I wouldn't worry too much about competing for awards--focus more on getting good grades and writing good essays.</p>
<p>Time to be honest kids. Kids with middlin anything are not likely to get into any ivy theses days. If you're not an athlete, URM or legacy, don't expect an ivy to stretch for you. They don't need to.</p>
<p>^^This is overly negative and alarmist, in my opinion. By "middling" I was referring to awards like NHS, NMSF, departmental awards...people certainly do get into the top schools with "only" awards like these.</p>
<p>^^ Yeah. Like me. I have NMSF and was a semifinalist for a national youth playwriting competition, but besides that, I've got next to nothing for awards. Some departmental awards... a member of NHS... <em>shrugs</em> I'm not a contest-entering kind of person. And I got into Stanford. :)</p>