I want to add a major award to my resume, where do I go? Do I just look for competitions? What kind of competitions?THx
This depends on what you’re passionate for and talented in. If you were to apply for a competition, what would that competition be about? Arts? Hard sciences?
I don’t have a specific passion yet, but I want to strengthen my application. Maybe writing? Not too sure
@MandomeLife what do you think?
I can’t do much if you don’t have much to offer yourself. But since you mentioned writing, I can refer you to the Scholastics Art and Writing competition and YoungArts. Also keep in mind that I am in no way affiliated to these organizations, other than being a winner and alum of one.
Scholastics Art and Writing (http://www.artandwriting.org/) is a national competition with regional branches directed to highlight the artistic success of students within local areas. Students submit their work in Fall/Winter of every year to the regional competition (this is usually a country or school district competition) where they can possibly win “keys,” which are the awards. Students who attain a high enough achievement go on to the national adjudication, where winners of that get their work displayed at Carnegie Hall in New York. Almost everyone knows about Scholastics Arts and Writing in the U.S. – and it’s definitely a viable option.
YoungArts (http://www.youngarts.org/apply) is directed more towards students who are driven about their chosen artistic discipline. This is for students who have a huge dedication to the arts, but everyone involved in the arts is encouraged to apply. About 800+ winners are chosen each year, and of those 800 about 120+ are given the “Finalist” recognition (this means that they are a level of sophistication much higher than their peers) and are invited to a week-long program in Miami in January where they perform/exhibit their work and work with Master Artists (like legit famous people in music, art, design, dance, etc.). Life-changing program, but again is directed towards the driven.
If you have any questions about the competitions I listed, feel free to ask. I’m more knowledgable about YoungArts than I am Scholastics, but I’ve participated in both.
@Pokeman1 Depending on the city you live in, United Way has so many different leadership programs which you can parlay into so many other opportunities to serve your community and build your resume at the same time.
Why do you feel you on even NEED “top awards”? Plus, you don’t just wish them into being. I think your logic here is flawed on several fronts
@T26E4 Im aware I can’t wish them into being, I’m asking for advice for how I should approach it, which you haven’t given 
and I said I want them to strengthen my application
Like post # 1 asked. What kind of activities do you already do? Or clubs/organizations are you in?
Soccer and red Cross , I might try for some scholarships tho, do u know any good ones?
The point that @T26E4 is making is that you aren’t going to get any major awards for anything that you’re not already doing. People getting major awards in music, debate, competitions, and sports are already heavily invested in them, therefore they are getting awards.
Really successful people out there with a lot of amazing awards aren’t making it their mission to get awards.