Okay, I know that adcoms do not want to see stupid things on people’s apps, because that is just… stupid, but I was wondering what you intelligent CC people considered “stupid” and “not stupid.”
For example, for academic achievements, is listing honor roll “stupid” or “not stupid?” What about state / regional athletic honor roll? Honor societies? Commended on PSATs, but not a finalist? Etc.,
Some of the items listed above are probably standard on 99.9% of top U applicants, so should they be included anyhow? Should they be included if there really aren’t any other achievements to include?
Thanks!
<p>My S put NMSC Commended, NHS (only 5% of kids in his HS get in to NHS), Gold Honor Roll, Photographs exhibited at International Center of Photography, Award of Excellence from NYS Theatre Education Association, Playbill Credit, Perfect Ten Award from Center for Arts Education.
He did NOT put "Who's Who", National Honor Roll, etc. </p>
<p>He was accepted to Columbia ED for class of 2009. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>How about school Honor Roll?</p>
<p>Actually, Gold Honor Roll IS the higher tier of the school honor roll, tho in NYC there is also the Chancellor's Honor Roll, which is basically for students who were on their schools' Gold Honor Roll for all 4 years,which my S was-so he threw it in because there room on the app-it would have been the first thing to go if not enough space bec it should be obvious from his transcript and his class rank that he was an Honor Roll Student, however it certainly didn't hurt to. Oddly enough when we went to dinner with his adcom during Days on Campus, we found out he was mostly impressed with S's ICP photo exhibit, and his Playbill credit, probably because they were more "unusual"......Ironically, the more prestigious awards my S received came in the spring of his senior year, after he'd already been accepted ED. Either way, I don't think the awards section makes or breaks you-if awards are few or ho-hum, it shouldn't hurt you, if they are spectacular, or unusual, it can help.</p>
<p>thanks! I guess I'm taking honor roll off, then. I really do not have anything "unusual" in my academic achievements, but I hope that won't affect my chances too much.</p>
<p>i remember listening to an argument one day where one side said that things such as honor roll, nhs, etc. are worthless and aren't unique. But the other side said that if it is an achievement, you should still put it. Because when the adcoms look at an apps, one with NHS and honor roll and one without, they may still wonder if the one without simply didn't get into NHS or wasn't on the honor roll.</p>
<p>Good point-also before filling out your apps-do at least a draft resume or list of everything you've received/done since you started 9th grade-my S did this, then gave it to me, and I added several things he had forgotten (e.g. the Playbill credit, which was from an internship he sought out for himself in 10th grade, and being chosen Master of Ceremonies for a school wide holiday show (fairly big deal-800, including some VIPs from the community, attended). Then you can pull from this master list when filling out the app. Don't forget to include and consolidate things that may not have a formal "designation", e.g. my S attended an arts school and did an incredible amount of school service in and outside of his own studio, e.g. was stage manager/lighting designer for 8 main stage shows, volunteered for auditions, high school fairs, open houses, etc. This is sustained srevice experience that is impressive if properly presented.</p>
<p>What about scholarships? I won/placed some pretty competitive essay scholarships, such as Ayn Rand in 10th grade. Should I put that on my app?</p>
<p>Yes, I would definitely put scholarships on, altho if check paid directly to you, and if you're applying for financial aid you might want to put it as "award" or "prize", so they'll see it as merit-based and not just need-based-if check made out to school they'll find out anyway, but on app I would emphasize the merit aspect of the award over the monetary. Alas, my S won 4 great scholarships, but again, all after he'd already gotten into Columbia, so didn't help his app, but sure helps financially now-congrats on yours!</p>
<p>how about things like qualified for the National Chemistry Olympiad? Or like AIME qualifier?</p>
<p>I would qualify "stupid" things as things that you had to pay for to receive (Who's Who keeps on trying to get money from me) or things you think aren't a big deal. If your NHS chapter accepts a lot of people and/or makes their members do squat, then I think it's pointless. My NHS chapter isn't exactly very selective, but we all have to tutor 3-4 days a week after school, which is a commitment.</p>
<p>Whoever got the Ayn Rand thing or other scholarships (especially nationwide ones), put that down there.</p>
<p>As a general rule, there are only two reasons to not include an award. The first is if the award is meaningless, such as National Honor Roll. The second is if the award gives the admissions counselors no additional information. For example, an award at your school for Straight As or Honor Roll does not need to be included because the colleges already are aware of your grades.</p>