<p>Question: On the Common Application, it asks for “any academic distinctions or honors you have received.” There are some organizations such as International Thespian Society that grant membership only after a lengthy qualification process. Would membership in such an organization be considered an “honor” or should it go in the Extracurricular Activities section?A membership in [...]</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing. I'm in National Honor Society and was unsure if it counts as an honor or ec.</p>
<p>I usually recommend putting National Honor Society under "Honors" since most students have more extra room in the "Honors" section of their applications than they do under "Activities." NHS is in a gray area, of course, and there is no one "right" place to put it. Sometimes, in fact, students choose to write their "meaningful activity" mini essay about some undertaking that was done under the auspices of NHS. Even so, it's still fine to list NHS as an "honor" rather than as an EC. Admission officials do NOT split hairs over this stuff, so the most important thing is to get key information onto your applications somewhere.</p>
<p>What about Mock Trial, when the team qualified for (and competed in) the national competition?</p>
<p>Students have lots of wiggle-room when determining what might qualify as an “Activity” and what is an “Honor.” Colleges realize that much of this stuff falls into a gray area. In general, something like Mock Trial would be considered an “Activity,” BUT … in the case of a team that makes the national competition, then it can certainly be considered an “Honor” instead. </p>
<p>Overall, seniors should use their best judgment when deciding where to list their assorted undertakings on applications, but do know that the admission officials understand that many of these can be hard to categorize, and you certainly won’t be penalized for your decision.</p>
<p>Thanks. Now, a follow up:</p>
<p>On the Common App, would competing in nationals for Mock Trial, but finishing in the bottom half of the competing teams at nationals, be considered “National” or “State/Regional” for the “Level of Recognition”?</p>
<p>That’s “National.” You may not get a whole lot of mileage out of it at admissions-decision time, but it’s still most definitely a “National” undertaking.</p>
<p>What about being a Prefect/Class representitive/proctor? Well, I’ve been one for couple of years. I considered it as an academic honor for the Common Application! What do you guys think?</p>
<p>If academic achievement is a criterion for prefect selection at your school, then this could certainly be considered an academic honor.</p>
<p>Yeaa, it was dependent upon academic achievements. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Honor, in my mind</p>
<p>activity i would think. check with the counselors</p>