I’m currently filling out the Common App and for awards, I’m not sure if I should put my placing in my state Science Olympiads because I didn’t win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. I got 15th out 45th and only the top 10 got a medal in the competition. Should I add this to the awards section, or is it advised that I don’t because I hadn’t won a medal?
Yes, put the olympiad placement down!
15th out of 45th in state is not shabby at all.
I don’t think 15th out of 45th is the worst placement ever, but I’ve been looking at what other applicants have put, and Ive realized that a lot of people are just putting down instances when they got first or second. I’m not sure if the colleges will be impressed if I put down 15/45 since they’re used to seeing 1st or 2nd. Gold, silver, and bronze are the prestigious placements that make the application stand out.
What do you need to cut from your application to make room for listing the award? Are you deciding between that award and another award? If there’s nothing else you could put there, then I say just put it, unless it’s terribly inconsistent with the rest of your application.
@Studious99 I’m actually placing it in the description portion of Activities (Science Club.) I want to show that I was active and cared about being in the club even though I didn’t have many hours for it. I reserved my Honors section for Honors Societies and other awards. I didn’t place my 15/45 in that area because I thought it would look out of place (also didnt have anymore room). I wanted to put the achievement in the Science Club activity description in order to compensate for my measley 1 hour per week input. Does it even count as an award if I fell short of receiving a medal? Or is it just the nature of the ranking that should matter?
The 15/45 shows that you were committed enough to the activity to place in the top third. I think it’s worth mentioning, and you could explain it in the additional info section if you want to.