My most notable awards (top 3 placements in state and world) are specifically related to some of my EC activities (like debate or DECA). I have other academic awards that don’t pertain to specific activities (given by school, mostly) as well, and filling the fields is no problem (definitely have more award than spots). Should I list the most outstanding awards in the awards section of the common app. even though they’ll be listed under the activities they relate to as well, or should I avoid the repetition and increase coverage of my awards by using the 5 award spaces given for smaller, miscellaneous awards and mention the bigger awards in the activities section?
I believe you would want to list them under awards. Of course, you can mention them under the activity that you won them under as well.