Does scholastic awards help with college app at all? My daughter doesn’t have lots of ec, scholastic is one she consistently participated over the past 3 years, she got gold keys and a couple of times American voice nominee, but never national medal. Do
Those help with college app at all? Or you have to have national medals? It feels quite difficult to get to national level. We don’t have much ec activities, so I am a bit concerned.
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Congratulations to your D!
I don’t think these awards make much of an impression on AOs in terms of making them admit an applicant BUT I think that they can confirm achievement and dedication in these fields. That can help fill in some important pieces of an application and complete the picture for an applicant, and that does make a difference. They also suggest that a student might be involved in college in these activities.
Please don’t worry about not having something wildly exceptional on the app. Most students do not yet are admitted to college and enjoy success there.
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Thank you for your insights! Yeah, just help the ao to have a better/holistic view of what kind of kid she is…this college application thing is rather difficult as I gradually learn…
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If she was applying to a school that has great creative writing programs, journalism, etc., then this might demonstrate continued and persistent interest, beyond what mere grades might show.
It could also be a hook in a some college essay, if she decided to mention her interest in writing.
Thanks! Yeah, I feel her track records has a clear picture of interests in English and creative writing, but I also heard the number of students they admit under this major is limited. She does debate as well. So definitely non stem student. Really struggle as to which major to show her interests.
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In a thread a few months back you wrote “We are hoping to get into top 10-15 ranking universities.”
You are right to be concerned. At those schools all parts of the app need to be pretty good, including ECs. Otherwise they lose out to some kid that’s similar in the other areas but with superior ECs. All of those schools are going to mark ECs as “very important” in their Common Data Set report. As Stanford writes on their admission website
Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which a student participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs
Consistent participation is admirable, but the tippy-top colleges are looking for leadership and/or achievement. Recognition at the school level isn’t on par with with many of the other applicants will present.
I’m not saying don’t apply to those schools, but have her spend plenty of time looking at schools that are at a match level and be sure she has a rock-solid safety she wants to attend.
Thank you. Yes, I agree, we will make sure we have a few really solid safety schools. We will be careful about our Ed decision and hopefully get admission from safety school through ea. I know parents have biased view towards their kids, so I need to keep reminding myself of it……