<p>Hi
I have a question for the activities section in the Common App
If I want to list "learning foreign languages" in one of the boxes (is it even appropriate ?!?)
can I list awards like HSK (for those who don't know, it's a proficiency test for Chinese) in the recognition category?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>bump…
bump</p>
<p>Yes, do it. Learning a language takes a considerable amount of time and you have achieved recognition for your efforts. Good for you!</p>
<p>“Learning languages” is vague. How can your results be measured?</p>
<p>Thanks for your answer M’s Mom 
lookingforward: I took several proficiency tests for the languages I learned such as HSK and DELE.</p>
<p>Shall I repeat the results of these proficiency tests on the recognition category?</p>
<p>““Learning languages” is vague. How can your results be measured?”</p>
<p>Isn’t it more about describing your interests and how you spend your time than about quantifying your achievements in order to make yourself look good on a piece of paper?</p>
<p>OP isn’t learning languages ‘in order to make yourself look good on a piece of paper.’ OP is interested learning languages presumably because he/she likes them. The OP can list that as an EC (with any recognition received) and, if appropriate, talk about it in his/her essays.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your answer M’s Mom I really appreciate it 
I really enjoy learning languages, and it’s an activity that took up most of my out-of-class time.
I thought that some kind of recognition is necessary(?) for it to be listed in the EC list, which is why I am doing so…
Is it okay to state the award twice, as in the awards&recognition category AND in the EC category?
Thanks</p>
<p>M’s Mom, I was talking to lookingforward.</p>
<p>You could list “Learning <whatever languages=”" you’re=“” learning=“”>" in activities, and then list the recognitions in the awards/recognitions section. And I don’t think you need recognition to list something in the activities section, but if you do it definitely shows commitment.</whatever></p>
<p>No, it’s not necessary to get some kind of recognition in order to list an EC. Lots of people spend time on ECs that don’t earn them anything except greater self-awareness, new skills, and a sense of personal satisfaction. </p>
<p>Why would you need to state it twice? List the EC (the languages) and then list the awards/recognition (if there is any).</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses
I just wanted to emphasizes these recognitions, since I don’t really have received that many… either
and I wanted to make sure that the adcoms notice them too.
I did not join any clubs/organizations related to studying languages, so I thought that it is a better option to list the awards on the side ;</p>
<p>Isn’t it more about describing your interests and how you spend your time than about quantifying your achievements in order to make yourself look good on a piece of paper?</p>
<p>You are, in fact, trying to make yourself look good on a piece of paper. It is a college application. And, it’s reviewed by adcoms who are quite savvy about what kids can do and how they bend the line when the EC/honors/etc list is short. </p>
<p>Where it is impressive is when a kid puts down a high AP score and notes this was self-study. Or, if there are standardized/national/intl test results or levels achieved. In that respect, OP needs to weigh whether HSK and DELE are impressive. (I don’t know.) It can also be good when there is a clear result beyond sitting in one’s room- eg, mastering Chinese and then doing some translating at the comm center. (Sometimes, it works when it is a connection to one’s family culture.) </p>
<p>This sort of ques is covered in other threads- I think one example was a kid who wanted to put down that he’s teaching himself piano.</p>
<p>IMO, every answer , every piece of writing, should be carefully evaluated. IF there is a substantial depth and committment shown in other ECs (leadership and responsibility,) then sliding in a passion for languages might be ok. No blanket answer.</p>
<p>If there is so little else to inclde, at least pump up the description from “learning languages” (vague) to something that has clear purpose and goals- or results. Maybe, lead with the name of the award or recognition. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yes–when you are putting together your application, you want to make yourself look good. But when you are actually doing something you are passionate about, how your accomplishments will look to an admissions committee should be the last thing on your mind. </p>
<p>Taking a proficiency test to validate that you’ve really put in the time is worthwhile, but you don’t need national awards to tell admissions that you spend a lot of time learning piano. They do care about what your true interests are, and they can probably tell the difference between something you do in order to look impressive or because parents wanted you to do it (i.e. “have been playing violin since I was 2”) and something you do of your own accord.</p>
<p>Learning languages is admirable, don’t get me wrong. It’s true, you shouldn’t think of adcoms when you are actually doing something you are passionate about. </p>
<p>But, on the app, you should think of adcoms.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies everyone
Actually I don’t have that many activities and even the other activities are
kind of related to languages eg. translation</p>