Hey guys! So i basically have no significant awards (besides a writijg publication, research paper publication, ap scholar stuff, and nm semifinalist). I have a decent gpa and SAT score though (3.94 uw and 2390) and a good amount of ecs (volunteering, research, leadership, music, sports). Will a lack of awards hyrt my chances at a top school?
No.
And yeah, 3.94 and 2390 are “decent”. Quit the humble brag.
Would you prefer “I have AMAZING stats that are better than the rest of you peons could ever dream of”?? My word, calm down.
It’s quite clear that you are in fact trying to show off your stats. If you believe your near perfect SAT score is “average,” then you, my friend, are very self-centered/oblivious. Hopefully, you’re joking. If you’re not in fact kidding, then I have a word of advice. No one likes a bragger.
Who said “average”? Please read the post again.
I’m very sorry if I came across as trying to be arrogant and show offish, but I seriously wanted to know if a lack of any awards would hurt a college candidate given my current stats - I am surrounded by friends who have received far more awards than I have. As for the “humble brag,” I come from a highly competitive and ranked high school that does see those stats as “decent.”
I don’t think it will hurt you. Personally, with the gpa and sat, what more can awards tell admissions? I’d rather see some non-acedemic ECs for balance. Relax:)
@JackLuzzy While I would like to thank you for taking the time to comment on my thread, I would like to sincerely state that I am NOT trying to show off my stats. I wanted responses based off of my current condition as accurately as possible - that’s why I gave my GPA and SAT (almost like a chance thread). Also, in no way did I say “average.” Perhaps I implied it (in some weird way) by saying “decent,” which I now realize was not the right word choice. Maybe I should have said “awesome,” “amazing,” or “excellent” instead - would that have made me seem less narcissistic? Next time when attacking someone’s character based solely off a post on College Confidential, please be more careful in reading the post, for the sake of yourself and everyone else on this forum 
@tliu222 I didn’t mean to come off as trying to bash you, but yes, I did get average from the word “decent.” I want you to realize that most students have not received awards that you have achieved. It’s not about the amount of awards, but rather the effort you put into giving them.
Not in 99% of colleges.
It will hurt in top 1% colleges, though
@tliu222 awards are a nice addition but they aren’t an expectation at top colleges in the same way, say, leadership and service are. Among even the top students, relatively few receive the impressive USAMO, ISEF, etc. distinctions. Definitely take a shot at some competitions like Siemens and Intel STS with that research though.
“No awards.” Has four awards.
I think it could hurt your chances at the very top. They look for students who stand out. Just below the very top elites, however, you are in wonderful shape.
If you, say, discover a new planet before the common app opens up in August, you’ll be in great shape for Stanford and the Ivies.
With your stats and no significant accomplishment that sets you apart, your best shot may be a strategically placed ED app. Do your research, and talk to several GC’s if possible.
You have 4 awards tho
You don’t need to have USAMO/National tier awards for top colleges. Honestly, regional/state awards are enough.
Published research in high school? how is that not in effect an award for achievement?
@collegemom3717 i should probably clarify that I wasn’t the sole publisher - it was more like i contributed and got credit in print (aghhh i shoud have said this in the original post)
@JackLuzzy I apologize for my rather annoyed comment before - what you said is absolutely right. i have been focusing too much on the number of awards, over the amount of effort I put into any achievements. Thanks for clearing this up, and youve shown me that quantity is not all that matters
I know people with way less awards who’ve gotten into Multiplle of hypsm. Gpa/class rank + rigor and sat are important to have at a high level. After that, leaderships actually carry more weight than awards unless they’re truly extraordinary.