<p>I go to a small international school in a small city in China. I can't get any of the awards all you American CCers have. So far, I've only won a few local writing contests submitted for the only English magazine here. </p>
<p>How much will not getting recognized hurt me from getting into top Tier 2/lower Tier 1 schools? Will they consider that I don't have much of an opportunity?</p>
<p>There are also more ways to play a game of chess than there are grains of sand. :p</p>
<p>Most schools will assess you in the context of the opportunities you have. I go to an internaitonal school in Malaysia, and opportunites are scare here as well. I think I only listed maybe 1 or 2 awards from my school, nothing regional or local. And guess what? I got into a top tier school. Make the most of what you have, thats what really counts.</p>