<p>The Common Application asks for five awards; so far I'm at four major awards and am debating on my fifth. Would something such as "National Winner" in the Live Poet's Society contest be more worthy of a spot than, say, "National Merit Semifinalist" or "AP Scholar with Distinction"? I know the award isn't like a Scholastic Golden Key or anything, but I'd like a writing contest to supplement my math/science heavy accomplishments, and it seemed to be the best of all quarterly open contests when I started creative writing in January. If I don't choose to list it, should I just attach a resume, or is this generally frowned upon?</p>
<p>I don’t know what your other four awards are, but they must be pretty impressive if you are considering dropping NMSF and AP Scholar w/Distinction. I’m not familiar with the Live Poet’s Society, but National awards are generally impressive.</p>
<p>I am usually inclined to say stick to limits on the application, but if including NMSF means adding a resume then I would definitely find a way to get it in the app. Maybe you could ask your GC to include these in her letter? Combine awards and/or ECs to make more room?</p>
<p>They’re not “outstanding” awards, but it feels like fewer people have them than NMSF. I’ve done fairly well at the Mu Alpha Theta Nationals (two of mine) and at my state science fair, and I’m trying to eliminate one award from the OP for my last two slots. I’d sorta like to throw some math awards under math club instead, but it doesn’t seem like they’ll be as noticeable as they would under the awards section. I’ve heard a supplemental resume can bomb an application if it doesn’t include anything spectacular, but I don’t have much to confirm that. I’ll get to see my GC in a week or two, so I guess I can just ask then. Thanks!</p>
<p>I haven’t heard about the Live Poet’s Society, but I would do the national award hands down. personally, I don’t think NMSF shows colleges much, although it’s a nice little thing to add that looks impressive. but not when you have other things to choose from. if you send AP scores to colleges, there’s no need to state that you’re an AP Scholar w/ Distinction separately.</p>