What types of awards would you mention?

<p>National/state awards, sure, but what about regional (such as county) awards or school awards?</p>

<p>It can't hurt to mention regional and school awards. But I would shy away from wasting space on generic "excellence in [insert course name]" type awards.</p>

<p>Just don't mention "Who's Who Among American High School Students" or being chosen for something for "People to People"!</p>

<p>I listed "Excellence in _<strong><em>" awards on my applications because I had no national awards and only one state award. And my results were pretty good, so I don't know. Use your judgment. If you have a lot of state and national awards, the "Excellence in _</em></strong>" awards would be pretty irrelevant. But if you don't have national and state awards, then I don't see the harm in adding school awards.</p>

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I listed "Excellence in ____" awards on my applications because I had no national awards and only one state award. And my results were pretty good, so I don't know.

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<p>I'll second that.</p>

<p>I agree completely.</p>

<p><em>Question</em>..Is it okay to mention a state award I received at the end of 8th grade? I know you shouldn't really mention anything before high school, but this is a pretty big competition in my state - not to mention one of my only big-time awards..</p>

<p>What about media recognition for a service project? Like being recognized in local magazines, newspapers, online,etc.? Technically, they aren't awards but you are being profiled for accomplishing a project,etc......I don't have any national awards but I have compiled a bit of media press....Would that count? Am I totally off base or is it something a bit innnovative and unique from the rest of those math/science/certificate/paper awards?</p>

<p>I think it is fine to mention a big award from the end of 8th grade, especially if it is in an area you continued in high school.</p>

<p>up to what placing? would you put 9th place in state </p>

<p>and really should i put every award up to regional? cuz i'd have like a whole page of little things..</p>

<p>Honey, the answer is as simple as this: list your awards from most significant to least. One the limited spaces allotted, start placing from the top of your list. If the college app allows you to add an extra page/resume, then list the most significant awards with a few regional mixed in PERHAPS. If you give a laundry list( with some not so significant and carbon copy like award- I saw your list---some of those awards, while wonderful, simply have to go!), it diminishes the appeal of your application. It's like the person who may have genuinely wonderful awards, but out of the need to list as many awards, pens NHS or Who's Who and alas, all respect has just flown the coop. While your awards are certainly more serious and reputable, be careful about creating the generic laundry list syndrome.</p>

<p>Also, could you give me advice on my 'media' question? It's on this thread as well as it's it's own thread. Thanks darling!</p>

<p>Hm..okay, if I were you I'd put it in ECs/Activities. I'd do something like "Service to Community" as the name of the EC and then for "your role in this activity" i'd put like "profiled in newspaper for accomplishing this" and "recognized in xx magazine for doing this"...</p>

<p>good ones</p>

<p>and you know which ones are good</p>

<p>do most apps let you send an attachment? what about the MIT app?</p>

<p>A laundry list of awards is boring. I would group them to highlight key aspects of what makes you special.</p>

<p>If an admissions person reads your application and all he comes away with is, "This applicant won a lot of awards," then you failed. You want the admissions person to read your app (including all your awards) and say, "Wow, this applicant is just amazing! He is really passionate about yada yada yada."</p>

<p>My son received NMF and no other national/state/regional awards so he listed his school awards. He got into his top school (HYPS) early action.</p>

<p>luzbrilliante - my D got a state award for historical research in the fall of 9th grade for an 8th grade project she went to National History Day for, and she is including that...if your award is at the state level, I would definitely include it, since it is a big accomplishment..</p>

<p>okay! thanks! because i have a whole list, and some little ones people have mentioned and have gotten into HYP...but they kinda look like "filler" when compared to my other awards...like NMSF and stuff like that...so idk if i should include them but i probably wont =)</p>

<p>Thanks, MidwestMom and Rachacha!! Great help.</p>

<p>...So for NHS, is it better off to not mention it at all..or just put it in there just so they know you did make NHS?</p>

<p>Surely it can't hurt to mention NHS!</p>