List of Top, Prestigious Awards

Pre-College Issues High School Life
921

@air0415 I think awards like these will help, but only if they are of a high level.

Needs to be ranked: AP Scholar.

FYI, IMO, National AP Scholar is very rare, from what I have seen. Only one in my school’s history has received it before Senior Year, and she was also STS Finalist, got into Stanford, etc. Trust me, it is not easy to get 8 APs before end of 11th grade when most schools do not even offer that many APs (or offer the space to schedule that many). From what I have seen, the only way to get NAP is to self study. In my graduating class of 740, only about 2 will become Distinction, and about 5 more (including me) will become honor.

ISEF should be higher. So should be NHD Nationals. Eagle Scout and National Merit moved up. From what I have heard, TASP and MITES should be higher, about 8.

Revised List:

10 - When The Top Colleges Try To Recruit You
D1 top athlete
IMO/IPhO/IChO/IBO medals (International Science Olympiads), IOL/IOAA gold medals
Intel (top 10), Siemens National Winner/National Finalists, ISEF top 3 Grand Prize, Google Science Fair age group winner
Published in Nature or Science, RSI (Research Science Institute)

9 - Really Close to a Ticket to Prestige Closet
D1 athlete
IOL/IOAA medals
Siemens Westinghouse (finalists), Google Science Fair Finalist, MOP, Intel Finalist,
FL Nationals winner (speech and debate)

8 -
Free Summer Programs: TASP, MITES, NIH Research, Clark Summer Program,USPhO/USNCO/USABO/USACO (USA Level of Olympiad Competition) National Finalist, USAJMO HM
Google Science Fair Semifinalist, Siemens Semi-finalists/ISEF(1-4 places), Intel semifinalist,
Running your own successful business,
AMC Perfect Score, Presidential Scholar, Davidson Fellow,
National AP Scholar,
Writing Portfolio Gold Award, Presidential Scholar of the Arts, Scholastic Art
FIRST Dean’s List winner, top 5 at FIRST World Championships
MTNA national winner

7 -
Selective summer programs or competitions, such as SSP, YESS,
USAMO qualification, USACO gold, USAPhO gold, USNCO high honors, ISEF Qualifier, NHD Nationals Qualifier
ARML Tiebreaker Round / Top Team, YES Competition (Young Epidemiology Scholarship), USAMTS Gold Medal
Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver or Gold Medal. NFL Nationals (speech and debate) “breakers” (elimination rounds), Tournament of Champions (debate) “breakers,” Congressional Award Gold Medalist
Solo concert/playing concerto at Carnegie Hall/Lincoln Center/etc., MTNA regional winner

6 -
USAJMO qualification, USPhO/USNCO/USABO semifinalist, USACO silver
Science Olympiad National medals, PUMaC/HMMT placement
Congressional Award Silver Medalist, NFL Nationals/Tournament of Champions Qualifier, FBLA Nationals
Science Bowl/Ocean Science Bowl/NAQT winners, Technology Student Association Nationals
FIRST Dean’s List finalist
Science Fair 1st in State
Top 5 FIRST Super Regionals (FTC)
MTNA state winner (depending on state)

5 -
National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor/Distinction
Eagle Scout
NACLO semifinalist, AIME qualification
National Latin Convention 1st Places Academic Contests,
All-Eastern/all-regional music, National History Day winner
Top 5 FIRST State Championship (or Regionals for FRC), JETS TEAMS National Finalist, Skills USA Nationals
Less trivial Carnegie Hall/Lincoln Center/etc., state MTA 1st (depending on state)

4 -
Science Olympiad state medals (depending on what state you’re from), Science Bowl national qualification
Perfect Score (Multiple Years) on National Latin Exam, or other languages, some state awards (all-state music, etc), National History Day, MUN Gavel, AMC 10/12 school winner (depends on your school), Art and Writing Regional Gold award
Top 5 FIRST Regional (FTC), Skills USA Regional winner

3 - County Level; Takes some work to get, but not uncommon (e.g Eagle Scout)
Winning at local/regional science fairs
All-County music

2 - Took more effort to win these, a step above regular local awards
Bank of America Awards, most local awards/trophies (art, music, community - although they will say something about your character), Essay Contests, State History Day

1 - Normal, common activities such as regular club membership or easy to get awards
National Honor Society, Beta Club, School Departmental Awards, School Honor Roll, Key Club, CSF, Interact Club, Homecoming King

0- A dime in a dozen, meaningless in the end.
Who’s Who, National Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars

922

@RoSoccer101 It would be a nice kick, but nothing makes up for four years of high school work.

@jhgong Yes. Absolutely if the GPA and test scores are what they seem. Congrats on Chem Camp! Are you trying again next year?

@agupte Also, I would like to add a few things to the list. I think ICDC medalist is about a 7 (DECA things) while States Comps are like around a 5. Any other (regionals, etc.) is like a 3. Depends on section.

923

@michelle426 I was sick with a blood disease during my first two years of high school. It just went into remission three weeks ago. I also don’t see my father until the weekend because he works three hours away. I have to take care of my family. I think I’ll end up with a 3.71 gpa(strong upward trend with 10 AP classes this year) and top 5% in my class of 500 by the end of junior year. I also have a 36 ACT(35 E, 36 Math, 36 Science, 36 Reading).

924

I’m not sure National AP Scholar should be ranked quite so high.

In 2014, there were 581 National AP Scholars in 11th grade in California (and 10 in 10th grade). Based on all grade levels, California has 18% of the total AP National Scholars. So, figure about 3200 National AP Scholars have it in time to put it on their applications. Of course, it would be more rare at some school than others because of access to AP courses in 9th-11th.

Citation: AP Scholar Data link at http://research.collegeboard.org/programs/ap/data/participation/ap-2014

925

@RoSoccer101 Now that you explained to me, then it’s perfectly fine. You do have to put that in your app under exenuating circumstances, but you seem like a good student. However, I just don’t see how a person with a 3.71 can be in top 5% at their school (3.71 is top 40% in mine), but however your school ranks is fine I guess.

926

wait, does MTNA refer to the piano competition? It really doesn’t do much in terms of college apps because it’s not academic. I know plenty of people who’ve won MTNA but are not very academic and will not be going to a top college. It’s nice as an extra talent, but will not make you stand out in the same way as USAMO/USAPhO/etc because those are related to academics and might make admission officers overlook your low grades in history because they know you have a very developed interest in a certain subject.

927

10 - When The Top Colleges Try To Recruit You
D1 top athlete
IMO/IPhO/IChO/IBO medals (International Science Olympiads), IOL/IOAA gold medals
Intel (top 10), Siemens National Winner/National Finalists, ISEF top 3 Grand Prize, Google Science Fair age group winner
Published in Nature or Science, RSI (Research Science Institute)

9 - Really Close to a Ticket to Prestige Closet
D1 athlete
IOL/IOAA medals
Siemens Westinghouse (finalists), Google Science Fair Finalist, MOP, Intel Finalist,
FL Nationals winner (speech and debate)

8 -
Free Summer Programs: TASP, MITES, NIH Research, Clark Summer Program,USPhO/USNCO/USABO/USACO (USA Level of Olympiad Competition) National Finalist, USAJMO HM
Google Science Fair Semifinalist, Siemens Semi-finalists/ISEF(1-4 places), Intel semifinalist,
Running your own successful business,
AMC Perfect Score, Presidential Scholar, Davidson Fellow,
National AP Scholar,
Writing Portfolio Gold Award, Presidential Scholar of the Arts, Scholastic Art
FIRST Dean’s List winner, top 5 at FIRST World Championships

7 -
Selective summer programs or competitions, such as SSP, YESS,
USAMO qualification, USACO gold, USAPhO gold, USNCO high honors, ISEF Qualifier, NHD Nationals Qualifier
ARML Tiebreaker Round / Top Team, YES Competition (Young Epidemiology Scholarship), USAMTS Gold Medal
Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver or Gold Medal. NFL Nationals (speech and debate) “breakers” (elimination rounds), Tournament of Champions (debate) “breakers,” Congressional Award Gold Medalist

6 -
USAJMO qualification, USPhO/USNCO/USABO semifinalist, USACO silver
Science Olympiad National medals, PUMaC/HMMT placement
Congressional Award Silver Medalist, NFL Nationals/Tournament of Champions Qualifier, FBLA Nationals
Science Bowl/Ocean Science Bowl/NAQT winners, Technology Student Association Nationals
FIRST Dean’s List finalist
Science Fair 1st in State
Top 5 FIRST Super Regionals (FTC)

5 -
National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor/Distinction
Eagle Scout
NACLO semifinalist, AIME qualification
National Latin Convention 1st Places Academic Contests,
All-Eastern/all-regional music, National History Day winner
Top 5 FIRST State Championship (or Regionals for FRC), JETS TEAMS National Finalist, Skills USA Nationals

4 -
Science Olympiad state medals (depending on what state you’re from), Science Bowl national qualification
Perfect Score (Multiple Years) on National Latin Exam, or other languages, some state awards (all-state music, etc), National History Day, MUN Gavel, AMC 10/12 school winner (depends on your school), Art and Writing Regional Gold award
Top 5 FIRST Regional (FTC), Skills USA Regional winner

3 - County Level; Takes some work to get, but not uncommon (e.g Eagle Scout)
Winning at local/regional science fairs
All-County music
MTNA National Winner, piano competitions, Carnegie Hall (unless you’ve gotten to the level of someone like George Li, piano really doesn’t do much for you) (playing at Carnegie is easy nowadays with the various AFAF competitions)

2 - Took more effort to win these, a step above regular local awards
Bank of America Awards, most local awards/trophies (art, music, community - although they will say something about your character), Essay Contests, State History Day

1 - Normal, common activities such as regular club membership or easy to get awards
National Honor Society, Beta Club, School Departmental Awards, School Honor Roll, Key Club, CSF, Interact Club, Homecoming King

0- A dime in a dozen, meaningless in the end.
Who’s Who, National Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars

928

Sorry but this list seems to be getting influenced by people who have self-serving interests. Taking 8 AP exams and getting a National AP Award does not rank up there with being a Google, Intel or Siemens Semifinalist. At best it is a 5 not an 8.

929

10 - When The Top Colleges Try To Recruit You
D1 top athlete
IMO/IPhO/IChO/IBO medals (International Science Olympiads), IOL/IOAA gold medals
Intel (top 10), Siemens National Winner/National Finalists, ISEF top 3 Grand Prize, Google Science Fair age group winner
Published in Nature or Science, RSI (Research Science Institute)

9 - Really Close to a Ticket to Prestige Closet
D1 athlete
IOL/IOAA medals
Siemens Westinghouse (finalists), Google Science Fair Finalist, MOP, Intel Finalist,
NFL Nationals winner (speech and debate)

8 -
Free Summer Programs: TASP, MITES, Simons SRP, NIH Research, Clark Summer Program,
USPhO/USNCO/USABO/USACO (USA Level of Olympiad Competition) National Finalist, USAJMO HM
Google Science Fair Semifinalist, Siemens Semi-finalists/ISEF(1-4 places), Intel semifinalist,
Running your own successful business,
AMC Perfect Score, Presidential Scholar, Davidson Fellow,
Writing Portfolio Gold Award, Presidential Scholar of the Arts, Scholastic Art
FIRST Dean’s List winner, top 5 at FIRST World Championships
First author research paper publication in reputable journal
NFL “All American” (Top 25 points)
MTNA national winner

7 -
Selective summer programs or competitions, such as SSP, YESS,
State governors schools where acceptance rate < 15% (PGSS, NJGSS, most other science governor’s schools)
USAMO qualification, USACO gold, USAPhO gold, USNCO high honors, ISEF Qualifier, NHD Nationals Qualifier
ARML Tiebreaker Round / Top Team, YES Competition (Young Epidemiology Scholarship), USAMTS Gold Medal
Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver or Gold Medal. NFL Nationals (speech and debate) “breakers” (elimination rounds), Tournament of Champions (debate) “breakers,” Congressional Award Gold Medalist
Author of research paper published in reputable journal
Solo concert/playing concerto at Carnegie Hall/Lincoln Center/etc., MTNA regional winner

6 -
USAJMO qualification, USPhO/USNCO/USABO semifinalist, USACO silver
Science Olympiad National medals, PUMaC/HMMT placement
Congressional Award Silver Medalist, NFL Nationals/Tournament of Champions Qualifier, FBLA Nationals
Science Bowl/Ocean Science Bowl/NAQT winners, Technology Student Association Nationals
FIRST Dean’s List finalist
Science Fair 1st in State
Top 5 FIRST Super Regionals (FTC)
MTNA state winner (depending on state)

5 -
NACLO semifinalist, AIME qualification
National Latin Convention 1st Places Academic Contests,
All-Eastern/all-regional music, National History Day winner
Top 5 FIRST State Championship (or Regionals for FRC), JETS TEAMS National Finalist, Skills USA Nationals
Less trivial Carnegie Hall/Lincoln Center/etc., state MTA 1st (depending on state)

4 -
Science Olympiad state medals (depending on what state you’re from), Science Bowl national qualification
Perfect Score (Multiple Years) on National Latin Exam, or other languages, some state awards (all-state music, etc), National History Day, MUN Gavel, AMC 10/12 school winner (depends on your school), Art and Writing Regional Gold award
Top 5 FIRST Regional (FTC), Skills USA Regional winner

3 - County Level; Takes some work to get, but not uncommon (e.g Eagle Scout)
National Merit Finalist,
Eagle Scout
National AP Scholar
Winning at local/regional science fairs
All-County music

2 - Took more effort to win these, a step above regular local awards
Bank of America Awards, most local awards/trophies (art, music, community - although they will say something about your character), Essay Contests, State History Day

1 - Normal, common activities such as regular club membership or easy to get awards
National Honor Society, Beta Club, School Departmental Awards, School Honor Roll, Key Club, CSF, Interact Club, Homecoming King

0- A dime in a dozen, meaningless in the end.
Who’s Who, National Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars

930

Also, what happened to the Governor’s Schools and published research designations (co-author etc)? SSP ranks more highly than some of the programs now above it. Poster in #920 made some arbitrary changes that were not warranted imo.

931

Would the perfect AMC score only apply to AMC 12 or AMC 10 as well?

932

lel perfect amc score

933

Would USABO top 50 / top 10% of semifinalists be ranked the same as USNCO high honors, USACO gold, etc.? (A 7, that is)

934

^^ You do realize that this is all subjective right? Not even admissions officers sit around ranking these things the way people (mostly HS age kids) are doing here.

935

In what place would EUCYS(European Union Contest for Young Scientists) Special Prize be?

936

Where would being a top-level allstar cheerleader be ranked? My daughter is on track to become the highest-level allstar cheerleader in 4 years.

937

I got an account just to reply to this thread. Firstly, I am personally an Eagle Scout, so I feel as though I am qualified to say that it has absolutely no business being as high up as it currently is. I would put it at 3, tops. However, I would place the Adams Award, which is for the best Eagle Scout Service Project, up at a 5.

Where would you guys put being selected for USSYP? What about interning for a Member of the House of Representatives? The American Legion Oratory Contest? Boys State or Boys Nation?

938

I’m a current junior and I didn’t even know all these ISEF, USAMO, Etc. existed lol. Are these things usually hosted by your guys’ schools? Out of curiosity, do colleges look at that? Or are these things that people found indivindually and took the initiative to enter.

939

@superbrowser - Not hosted by schools; you have to look for them individually. Yes, colleges will look at awards like these.

940

10: Congratulations - You’re In!

D1 athlete
IMO/IPHO/ICHO/IBO medals
Intel STS Top 10; Siemens Finalist; ISEF Top 3 Grand Prize; Google Science Fair age group winner
History Day National Winner
Published in Nature or Science
RSI (Research Science Institute)

9: Almost a ticket to a prestigious school

Siemens Westinghouse finalists; Google Science Fair Finalist; MOP; Intel STS Finalist
FL Nationals winner

8: Amazing accomplishment; Large boost

TASP, USPhO/USChO/USABO/USAC National Finalist
Google Science Fair Semifinalist; Siemens Semi-finalists; Intel ISEF 1st-4th place category; Intel STS semifinalist,
Published in a relatively prestigious journal
Running your own successful business
AMC Perfect Score, Presidential Scholar, Davidson Fellow
Writing Portfolio Gold Award, Presidential Scholar of the Arts, Scholastic Art
FIRST Dean’s List winner, top 5 at FIRST World Championships,

7:

SSP, Clark Summer Program, YESS, NIH Research, and MITES and other selective programs
State governors schools with acceptance rate <15% (PGSS, NJGSS, most other science governor’s schools)
USAMO qualification, ARML Tiebreaker Round / Top Team, YES Competition (Young Epidemiology Scholarship), USAMTS Gold Medal
Intel ISEF Finalist, History Day National Level
Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver or Gold Medal. NFL Nationals (speech and debate) “breakers” (elimination rounds), Tournament of Champions (debate) “breakers,” Congressional Award Gold Medalist,

6:

USPhO/USChO/USABO/USACO semifinalist, Science Olympiad National medals, qualification
Less competitive governor’s schools (Acceptance rate between 15% and 25%), any other scholarship summer programs not aforementioned
Congressional Award Silver Medalist, NFL Nationals/Tournament of Champions Qualifier, FBLA Nationals
Science Bowl/Ocean Science Bowl/NAQT winners, Technology Student Association Nationals
FIRST Dean’s List finalist
Top 5 FIRST Super Regionals (FTC)

5: Pretty good; will complement an already-strong record

National Latin Convention 1st Places Academic Contests,
All-Eastern/all-regional music, State History Day top 3 place
Top 5 FIRST State Championship (or Regionals for FRC), JETS TEAMS National Finalist, Skills USA Nationals
State Science Fair Winner/Top Award

4:

Science Fair Regional winner
Science Olympiad state medals (depending on what state you’re from)
Science Bowl national qualification
Perfect Score (Multiple Years) on National Latin Exam
State awards (all-state music, etc)
MUN Gavel
AMC 10/12 school winner (depends on your school)
Art and Writing Regional Gold award
top 5 FIRST Regional (FTC)

3: Some effort involved, but not uncommon

Winning at local/regional science fairs
All-County music,
Eagle Scout, National Merit Finalist
Head of a competitive club *that you did not found/i

2: Your average go-getter

Bank of America Awards
Local awards/trophies
Essay Contests
Regional History Day

1 : Common activities

National Honor Society
Beta Club
School Departmental Awards
School Honor Roll
Key Club, CSF, Interact Club
National Merit Commended
Member of a club with no distinctions earned

0: A dime in a dozen; meaningless

Who’s Who, National Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars