Where and how to list awards on Common Application?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Throughout my high school career, I have won various awards and held lots of positions in my extracurricular activities and I want them to really stand out on my application. However, I think that I may have trouble fitting them all in in the limited space provided under the activities section. (My awards from my extracurricular activities DO go there, right?) I don't want to have to limit myself in terms of the awards I won just because of the limited space. For example, in my accomplishments in Science Club and Latin Club:</p>

<p>Science Club: Secretary of Science Olympiad, Science Olympiad Technical Problem Solving 7th Place, 2nd Place Brain Bee Team Award, member of National Science Honor Society, 1st Place in Regional Science Fair, 3rd Place in State Science Fair, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Award.</p>

<p>Latin Club: 3rd Place Certamen (Latin quiz bowl) Team Award, member of National Latin Honor Society, Gold Medal in National Latin Exam 2011, Silver Medal in National Latin Exam 2012, State Latin Convention Academic Heptathlon 1st Place, Latin Grammar 3rd Place, Roman History 4th Place, Derivatives 3rd Place, 1st Place Mosaic, National Junior Classical League Creative Writing Contest 9th Place</p>

<p>As you can see, it would be pretty hard to list those accomplishments in just those two spaces provided. From my knowledge, Common Apps are now submitted online rather than handwritten and through mail. I was wondering if it would be okay to make the typed text smaller than those in other sections so that I can fit everything in their respective categories. Some feedback and advice would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>Oh and before anyone gets offended, this is in by no means an attempt to brag or show off. I am usually a modest person and this is a true dilemma that has been bugging me as my senior year is approaching fast.</p>

2

<p>Bump. .</p>

3

<p>Someone answer this kid’s question^^!!</p>

4

<p>Bump. .</p>

5

<p>If the Common App were the same as last year, you could include this in the additional information document you can upload. That is how my D handled it. She listed the activity in the activity section, but then said something like “See additional information”, then had a heading for that activity in the document and listed out (briefly/bullet point) like you have above.</p>

<p>However, the Common App format is changing this year. So I am not sure if that will work or not in the new format… you will have to check it out when it is available and see if you can still upload that type of document.</p>

6

<p>Uploading a file into the additional information section won’t be an option for the upcoming application season, but including this type of information in the additional information section is still a good option if the activities/awards space is too small. You aren’t going to be able to play with fonts or margins - there will be a strict character count. </p>

<p>Abbreviations are your friend to make awards fit in the space provided. Also, when you win the science fair state award, you can leave off the regionals. Similarly, the gold on Latin Exam would trump the prior year’s silver.</p>

<p>Another way to call attention to these sorts of things is through recommendations. You don’t have a lot of control there, but when you talk to your GC and teachers about doing recs for you, it’s appropriate to provide a resume with all your awards and let them know you’d be glad for them to highlight your accomplishments outside the classroom in their recommendations.</p>