I participated in some competitions that do not offer too much awards, in which I did enjoyed and learned a lot but did not receive any rewards. For example, I went to HMMT but since my math was just above average, I ranked just about 250/1400, so my name was blanked in the ranking list on the website. The team’s performance was not satisfying(upper-middle), either. As well as decathleton. I will take USAD-China, and will probably get qualified for the global round, but getting a metal in that is too difficult still.
But for some other low-level competitions, I did not do any work but received a whole bunch of rewards. I got a high distinction for physics in a British comp, a distinction for computer in a Australian comp(CAT), and 4/1000+ in a Chinese math competition(AMT).
Which one would be better for a resume or the CA?
I would put the first things you mentioned in your resume and the things you mentioned in your second paragraph into the common app. Just my opinion, current Cornell student here!
It depends on what kinds of colleges to which you are applying. Tippy tops like to see the awards, but what counts most for colleges is what you learned and the personal growth you got out of the experience (and how you communicate that). Get all of it in your application, but order it based on how meaningful it was to you.
Your essays are too important to use them for some explanation.
Include competitions in which you won nothing in Activities. But you can decide to put the distinctions and AMT in awards.
This isn’t about just big awards. They want to see how you took your interests and skills further. Don’t omit something because you think it’s only about big wins. It’s not.
You can list them as “additional activities: in the additional activities section (bullet items, not paragraphs).