<p>...because I don't really have any. I mean, I have the honor roll and all, but when it comes to actual awards--I'm kind of lacking in that department. I was a finalist for an MLKJr essay writing contest, but my PSAT scores weren't high enough to qualify for National Merit. Will this not make my application as competitive come this time next year?</p>
<p>depends.
if it’s “i got honorable mention in a drawing contest at a library when i was 11”, then you may as well just not put anything.</p>
<p>if it’s “i’m intel STS finalist”, then that’s pretty good.</p>
<p>I don’t think OP was asking what to put down…</p>
<p>anyway, it depends on context, if you had the opportunities at your school and you didn’t pursue them(and you don’t have a REALLY compelling reason for that) your chances are pretty much sunk…If your school had no opportunities for you, was there anything you could reasonably have done on your own? If the answer to both is no, then don’t worry about it, the cards will fall where they will, if yes, start examining WHY you don’t have awards. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be an actual first place trophy, do you participate in EC’s that don’t give “traditional” awards but you were still recognized in some form? Lead in drama productions come to mind…</p>
<p>Think about it a bit more, and see if you can’t come up with something.</p>
<p>Well the Finalist thing for the MLKJr was a legitimate award (it was conducted by the Philadelphia Orchestra and all that and I won 100$)–is that acceptable to put down? Other than that, my school doesn’t really have science fairs and stuff like that. I moved from SC to PA the summer before my freshman year, but before that I was recognized as a South Carolina Junior Scholar, but since that was before high school, does that even count? Thanks for your answers, guys.</p>
<p>EDIT: I also go to an Arts school, so there’s also that. Not many competitions other than auditions for our musical.</p>
<p>ok…yes you can put the essay down, have you entered any other competitions that are writing related? Also, PA is pretty diverse, like I said, if you’re from center city, your file is looked at differently from if you’re from a rich suburb</p>
<p>Good awards usually indicate high level achievement in extracurriculars, which, while not necessarily a requirement, seems to be a pretty common thing among acceptees to top schools. Like mentioned earlier, if these options are not at all available to you, that’s different. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook if your school doesn’t have them. High-level awards don’t really come from school, they come from people looking out into the community or even farther and finding things to participate in. Or, possibly even better, starting your own project to fill the void.</p>
<p>When you say “starting your own project”, what exactly do you mean? Volunteering? Having a job? I haven’t really heard about any other writing competitions, but I’ll start looking into some of them.</p>
<p>hmm. depends on your situation. if you have strong SAT, gpa, extracurriculars, etc. then it wont hurt you a lot. but it is definitely recommended, since it does show off your passion in certain subjects / your effort to compete against others.</p>
<p>BUT, if you have like one award (like someone mentioned before like Intel) then that’s different. you’re set then. haha</p>
<p>^^ i.e. If your school doesn’t have a community service club, make one, organize events, etc.</p>
<p>It is really not difficult to find out about writing competitions. As YeloPen points out, colleges like students who have shown initiative in some way. I participated in several essay contests when I was in high school and all you have to do is google “high school essay competition.” Some of the first hits are contests that are still open (though some deadlines are coming up pretty quick, like Feb. 1), and they are national contests–>more prestigious. Plus some have pretty good prize money too… ($1000+). Things like the AFSA National High School Essay Contest, the National Peace Essay Contest, the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of the Press High School Essay Contest, the Being an American Essay Contest, and the Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest would be good to check out; the topics are things anyone can write about with some thought and research.</p>
<p>^^I’ll definitely do that. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot everyone :D</p>
<p>As a writer, I can tell you that there’s no shortage of opportunities for writing awards. Scholastics Art and Writing Awards are phenomenal, with the opportunity for regional and national awards as well as publication in Scholastic’s annual Best Teen Writing anthology. That means a good piece/poem could get you as many as three awards, two of them national. </p>
<p>When you’re a senior, there’s youngARTS. The competition is, as one friend put it, “mad intense,” with 20-22 writers and 150 total artists selected from a pool of 5,000-7,000, but don’t be put off by the numbers. Apply! You might win an honorable mention worth $500 or be selected to attend youngARTS week in Miami all-expenses paid, in which case you could earn anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 in awards. If you earn the Gold ($10,000) or Silver ($5,000) award, you’re invited to another all-expenses paid week, this time in New York. It’s also the only way to be nominated for Presidential Scholar in the Arts (60 artists are picked from the pool of 150, with 20 ultimately selected as Scholars). That’s a free couple of days in DC. Again, there’s the opportunity for as many as three awards (honorable mention or youngARTS week, the money award, and Presidential Scholar).</p>
<p>If you’re interested in publication, there’s no shortage of teen literary magazines. Try *Polyphony H.S.<a href=“it’s%20run%20entirely%20by%20high%20school%20students,%20so%20you%20can%20pick%20up%20a%20national%20editing%20position%20too%20if%20that’s%20your%20style”>/I</a>, The Apprentice Writer, Cicada, The Louisville Review, or The Claremont Review. Publication isn’t an award, exactly, but it’s certainly an achievement. </p>
<p>If you’re editor of your school’s literary magazine, try submitting in to high school lit mag competitions.</p>
<p>As a writer, you’re going to find yourself in competition with students who have won national Scholastics awards, attended youngARTS, were nominated for Presidential Scholar in the Arts, have been published, etc. Honestly, until attending youngARTS, I had no concept of just how competitive the young writing community really is. There are kids winning all of these competitions, some of whom are nationally or state-wide competitive in other fields (theater, dance, debate, you name it) as well. I want to tell you that you don’t need awards to get into Y or any other school–and you may well not; a writer friend of mine whose only accomplishments were being editor of lit mag and attending Governor’s School for English got into Columbia RD last year–but many of your fellow applicants will have such awards, and in spades.</p>
<p>I highly recommend submitting to Polyphony H.S. if you’re looking for something along those lines. Submission season is about to get big, so if you want to stand out in the submission pool, submit soon! I edit for Polyphony, and we’re really looking for some new writers, so now’s a great chance!</p>
<p>Thanks glassesarechic. As a writer, I found that post very helpful. Just submitted my Scholastic Art & Writing Awards submissions last week. Fingers crossed! 
Lol.</p>
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<p>Reppin’ Polyphony, that’s what I like to see :). (I’m an editor too).</p>
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<p>Good luck! Hopefully we’re both in Carnegie Hall this June.</p>
<p>That was indeed very helpful glassesarechic! Thanks a lot! :D</p>