<p>I was reading through some threads here, and noticed that no one seems to include middle school accomplishments in their "chances" lists. I have many middle school achievements, from spell bowl, mathcounts, science bowl, to technology stuff. Is it beneficial to put these in a college application (for example, national championship team for middle school science bowl, state champion team for spell bowl, etc)? Or are they too much in the past to be considered?</p>
<p>i dont think anything from middle school is considered.
sry</p>
<p>Yes, the consensus here (this has been asked before) is that they are not worthy of inclusion. Bet you have other good stuff to include!?!? Good luck!</p>
<p>On the Common Application, it only lets you check off from the 9th grade and beyond. So in general, it means no middle school achievements. Good luck though! I'm sure you'll have plenty of accomplishments in your high school career though. :)</p>
<p>You don't want colleges to think that you peaked in middle school, do you? :P</p>
<p>My goodness. If a student was on a national championship team for Science Bowl in middle school, that's great. And I would think he could include this information in his college application, on a resume, for example, in the section where about the great science-type stuff he did in high school. (I agree that local awards in middle school aren't noteworthy enough to include on a college application.)</p>
<p>Yes, most colleges want to know what you've done LATELY. </p>
<p>I think I've even heard of someone who finished in the top three nationally on the National Spelling Bee who didn't mention that at all in the college app.</p>
<p>It has to be some sort of national competition or award to be included if it's from before 9th grade.</p>
<p>I want to disagree with this a little. I think you should include middle school achievements if you have continued to have the same kind of achievements into high school (i.e., if you were in honors band every year 6 through 12, or placed in a science competition each year, etc.).</p>
<p>Should you include being selected to give the 8th grade commencement address,especially if you continue in Forensics competition all throughout high school?</p>
<p>If you continue in forensics, you will have much more momentous things to mention.</p>
<p>We have not yet filled out any college apps (oldest child is in 11th grade)....but do they not have a spot for "Other" where a person could list achievements from earlier in life? </p>
<p>My youngest child is a competitive gymnast...I'm 95% sure that she'll quit before high school....most of them do. But I think it's significant that a child spent 15 hours a week in a gym for 8+ years...it shows tremendous dedication and courage to compete in gymnastics. I'm sure there are other activites that require similar hard work and devotion. I hope that we will be able to squeeze that into a college application somewhere.</p>
<p>I think that if you did something truly amazing when you were twelve -- like starring on Broadway or becoming world junior champion of your sport -- you should let them know.</p>
<p>I don't put a team science bowl in this category.</p>
<p>My s scored an 800 on the SAT math section when he took it in 8th grade. We know he cannot submit the test he took as an 8th grader, but don't you think this is something that should be mentioned somewhere on his applications? (Maybe in his letters of recommendation). It just seems relevant, because there are so many high school students who do really well on their SATs, but the fact that he achieved this in 8th grade could possibly indicate he topped out on this test. What do you think?</p>
<p>missypie: Some colleges ask about special skills/talents (serious or nonserious) or let you include a resume. I think as long as he does it until freshman year it would not look out of place. I included that I have been a synchronized swimmer and on a waterski team since I was four. I only wrote it on the informal section, but my reasoning was that it might set me apart and it shows dedication, commitment, and longevity, even if it isn't curing cancer, and, like you said, I spent a lot of time at those practices (13 years worth). I wouldn't include it as one of my main EC's, though.</p>
<p>
[quote]
We know he cannot submit the test he took as an 8th grader
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why not? </p>
<p>Have you heard of SET? </p>
<p>The</a> Study of Exceptional Talent (SET) </p>
<p>That could help link you to some resources.</p>
<p>As you can see from the consensus of the thread, it all depends on what it is. Math-Bowl probably not, William Putnam Exam top 3 in 8th grade, yes.</p>
<p>Put yourself in the place of the adcom reading the application: which of the following will likely result from the mention of the early achievement:
1. "Wow, this kid has been excelling in his area of interest since he was quite young."
2. "This kid seemed like hot stuff in middle school, but he sure hasn't lived up to it in high school."</p>
<p>Hunt said it better than I could.</p>
<p>If the student had such high achievement in middle school, it would look quite odd to an admissions officer that the student did not continue to show high achievement throughout high school. If the student continues to peform at such a high level, the high school record will speak for itself and the mention of middle school achievements really wouldn't be necessary, unless the applicant wanted to highlight the longevity of his record of extraordinary achievement.</p>
<p>But there are some activities that are limited to middle school students. I assume that everyone would agree that if a child won the national spelling bee, that could be mentioned. In Texas, gifted middle school students compete in "Future Problem Solving" tournaments. We've had kids win at the state level and place at the international level. There is no high school equivalent for this activity.</p>