I’m trying to fill out my common app, and there are only 5 slots for “academic honors.”
I’m not sure what will look the most impressive to colleges. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case that the achievements that you work hardest for/that mean the most to you look the most impressive.
For example, I’m trying to choose between the following (none of which are particularly outstanding in this crowd but all of which I worked hard for):
Top 16 in an international essay debate competition (part of a team of three)
Top 10 in National Brain Bee
USABO Semis
First place in Biology in a state-wide test-based science/engineering competition
National Merit Semifinalist
National AP Scholar
TEAMS first in state (Keep in mind 8 other people from my school must have this)
National Honors Society
As you might guess, I have an interest in bio/neurology.
I have other accomplishments I want to showcase (some of which I think I’m more proud of), but they fall into the categories of my extracurriculars, so I will include them there. Or should I make sure to include them here as well?
If I’m applying to selective schools on the coasts, what’s the chance they will know about regional awards that are not in their state?
- Top 16 in an international essay debate competition (part of a team of three)
- Top 10 in National Brain Bee
- Group these in one: USABO Semis First place in Biology in a state-wide test-based science/engineering competition
- TEAMS first in state (Keep in mind 8 other people from my school must have this)
- National AP Scholar (Idk, maybe you can group NMS in this one too).
Don’t include NHS. It’s extremely common.
1, 2, 3, 4, 7,
There’s a box you have to check whether the award was regional, national or international so they’ll know.
Don’t double up if you are describing them with the activity. As long as it is somewhere in your app, they will see it. If you still have more than 5, feel free to use the additional info section to list the ones that don’t fit.
Thanks for that. Should I still double up USABO and the state competition, and National AP scholar and NMS?
Or should I put that in the additional info? I thought that was for if you had some extenuating circumstance or very unusual background.
My kids used additional info for “overflow” (and with excellent admissions results). So for example, if they had activities in one area like music, they created an activity called “Music” and said “See Additional Information” in the space given. Then in additional info they had a Music header, and concisely bulleted their music activities and awards. Both also had more than 10 activities, so they put the extra ones in the additional info section. Then they had things that didn’t fit elsewhere on the app – for instance, one took a Coursera online class that didn’t fit in anywhere. That was listed in Additional Info. I think they also put in an explanation for the naming/course sequence for math at their high school, as it was kind of odd and required some explanation.
@intparent, I think this is the way to go. That way all the music-related activities are listed in one area, as opposed to being spread out. It makes much more sense to list music summer programs and music awards next to other music-related activities. rather than separately. I think that would give adcoms a clearer idea of the extent of participation and accomplishment.
Thank you, @intparent, that sounds like a really good idea! But I’m concerned that they might feel like I’m trying to game the system? I suppose I’ll try to be concise as you said.
Also, if I had something like taking an online math course due to schedule conflicts, would I put that in the additional info section or is it better to ask my counselor to add it to her rec letter?
There is no gaming going on, I think you honestly misunderstand what that section is for. Admissions appreciates well organized, well labeled, complete ( but concise) information. They REALLY don’t care which section it is in. Remember that they did not design the Common App with it’s tiny description lines, scattered ways to enter info on the same activity, and limited numbers of slots for data. But they are stuck with it just like you are.
My last kid got in everyplace she applied, including UChicago, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, Carleton, and several lower ranked schools, and she used the additional info section as described above.
I’d put the online math in Additional Info, too. Kind of like my kid’s Coursera course, the Common App designers just don’t have a space for it. I was surprised that the redo of the CA a couple of years ago didn’t have a section for that type of class, given the rise of MOOCs and other types of online classes. But fortunately there is the versatile Additional Info section!
Here is an example if it helps you see what I mean by concise. Say the activity is Quiz Bowl, here is what could go in the Additional Info section:
Activity Detail - Quiz Bowl:
- Team Member, specialist in literature, art, opera, and history (9-12)
- Top scoring freshman at X state tournament (9)
- Team qualified and competed in Nationals, 14th place finish junior year (10,11)
- Top individual scorer at Snocat Tournament, Carleton College, 214 participants (11)
- Attended ACE Quiz Bowl Camp,
one week, summer after 9 & 10
- Team Captain (12)
Thank you. I feel I understand what that section is for a lot better now.