I recently received a book award from Wellesley College at school and was wondering how prestigious/noteworthy it was. My school had several Ivy League book awards available as well, but told me they had somewhat randomly selected which of the recipients each book award went too. Out of a class of ~450, I was told 6 of us had received them and that there was a rigorous determining process. I have never heard of a college book award beforehand and was hoping some of you guys might have some better insight!
So my questions are: Is a Harvard book award (or an Ivy League book award) more prestigious than a Wellesley book award? Is receiving one even worth mentioning on CommonApp? What exactly is a book award?
I received the UVA book award 35 years ago and did end up attending UVA. Now my son is there. The university president who signed my book award is the father of my son’s advisor. All because of a book?!
Not very. It does indicate that teachers in the school have made note of you.
My guess would be that it’s pleasant, but not a big deal. I don’t know how it’s determined which high schools give which awards, but it’s not like there’s only one Harvard book award in the whole country and only one Wellesley award. At my son’s high school they divvy up the book awards, one to each kid in about the top 10% of the class. Because they of what I assume is the tremendous variation from high school to high school in how the awards are given out, they are unlikely to be very prestigious.
The award recipients are selected by the high school teacher. They are subject awards, that show the teacher thinks highly of the students achievement in their course. The college has zero input and it doesn’t mean anything in that regard.
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You should have received a disclaimer when you received your book award stating that it is sponsored by the local alumni association and has nothing to do with the university itself.
It’s a great high school achievement. Congratulations.
List it. Why not. It won’t be a game changer but it’s certainly a potential tie breaker.
I agree, these are definitely awesome awards, and should be listed. The point being that one vs another (Harvard Book Award vs Wesleyan) does not matter since these are not coming from the colleges. But certainly says alot about the student and how he/she is valued by their teacher/department.
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I agree.List it. I will also add (because this question comes up all the time), Yale’s AOs will not reject you because you have a Harvard book award (and vice versa,and every other permutation and combination).
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I used to be involved in awarding a similar book award. It’s an indication you have done very well so far in HS and your teachers and the admin have taken note. The college itself is generally not very involved, and it is not typically an indication of interest by the college. Good job and yes, list it.
If anything, Yale will want you all the more. JK. 