<p>In the academic distinctions/honors section, all I have is my AP scholar award
It occurred to me today though that it might be a good idea to put my school superlatives in my application, and this seems to be the most appropriate place.
before I transferred schools, I won "funniest" in my sophomore class of almost 400. Then, in senior superlatives at my other school I won "most laid-back" and "most Jesus-like"...Yeah, my school was pretty quirky :D.
Would you guys include those in your app? my thoughts are that any way to distinguish myself in this hyper-competitive year are worthwhile</p>
<p>I don’t know, I think that it’s a risk. Let me explain:</p>
<p>One on hand, the persons reviewing your app may think that you take this whole college application (and maybe even their college) as a joke, and that you aren’t serious about it at all. Which would probably make them want to deny your application to the institution.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the persons reviewing your app may see it as humorous and may find it positive and it may help to make your app unique and make you seem more like a real person (like what essays and recommendations do) and not a robot or a bunch of numbers. In essence, it could give life to your application.</p>
<p>I would wait for other people’s thoughts on the subject though.</p>
<p>That’s exactly along my line of thinking, go4cornell. I think that the risk may be a good thing, though. Say half my reaches don’t like it, and half do. The half that don’t like it - boom, I’m finished. The other half, maybe it increases my chance a few %. I would be very satisfied with that result.</p>
<p>bump da dump</p>
<p>It’s HIGHLY risky. If the rest of your application has a humorous, sarcastic edge to it, then I THINK that MAYBE you could get away with it. But unless your application screams “FUNNY MAN” then don’t try.</p>
<p>That’s a good point. As I’ve gotten older I’ve developed a much dryer sense of humor. Hmmmm</p>
<p>I wouldn’t put superlatives in the awards section of the Common App, but if you could find a way to somehow fit them in elsewhere I think they would be a funny addition to your application!</p>
<p>Maybe “additional info”?</p>
<p>IMO, I think its just not worth it. </p>
<p>To me, it sounds desperate that you felt the need to put these “awards” in your app.</p>
<p>no risk, no reward.</p>
<p>I’m gonna go for it - maybe with the exception of one or two schools. Colleges are always talking about how they want to see <em>human</em> applicants.</p>
<p>Humor is great in an application, as long as it is obvious enough to not be mis-understood. You could always put the word “(smile)” or something like that after a funny insertion.</p>
<p>It’s gimmicky. Show your human side through focused extracurriculars and honest essays. If your superlatives fit into an essay, great. If not, there’s no reason to include them.</p>
<p>And I think what adcoms mean by “We want real people!” is that they aren’t looking for the class president/cancer curing/hut building/three-season athlete. That doesn’t mean they don’t want you to have legitimate accomplishments.</p>
<p>oh come on, it’s not a risk. They’re reading hundreds and hundreds of applications––very few of which actually have any humor. I know if i were reading apps, I would enjoy the surprise that your superlatives offer. I agree that “additional info” may be a better category though. Schools obviously want to get to know your personality, so especially if you haven’t interviewed with the schools, I think the superlatives are a plus</p>