<p>As of now, the only award think I will win is the National AP Scholar Award. I might win/won some school based awards, but that's pretty much it. Will that really hurt my chances? THANKS</p>
<p>Hmm, It depends. Harvard wants the best of the best, so I’m guessing most would have some awards. But above all they want to know that you are greatly devoted and compassionate about whatever you decide to spend your time on. If they can see you’ve done a lot in certain areas, for example, science, music, or art, then I’m sure they would see enough to look over not having many awards.</p>
<p>bumpbump bump</p>
<p>I got into Harvard without a single award from outside of my own school (dinky things like the History Award, Law Award, etc.). And no, I’m not a legacy or URM, an I didn’t have a 2400 (or even 2300) SAT score.</p>
<p>It can be done. RoseBuds’ advice is worth heeding; that’s essentially what I did, and hey, it worked out quite well for me.</p>
<p>EDIT: I should say that I did win one relatively major award, but not until this June, which is obviously after I was admitted.</p>
<p>Bear in mind that the top applicants from all over the world tend to apply to Harvard and that, perhaps, three out of four are equally qualified in terms of academic preparation. Since Admissions can only admit about 7%, they then have to ask “What else would this candidate bring to the entering class?” I don’t know if that means that applicants need to have big awards, but clearly they need to constitute some added value beyond their academic credentials.</p>
<p>I didn’t have any big awards and I got in. Awards are just one part of the application.</p>
<p>I concur with what’s being said. Although major awards are beneficial, the prestige of an award is not the only factor that the admissions committee takes into consideration. The nature of the award also says leagues about an applicant. For example, I won my school’s best student director award @ the annual thespian award show for a one act I had directed. Although it is not a major award outside of my school, it shows that I am passionate for theater, among other things. Just do what u love, keep your eyes an ears open, and the rest will follow:)
~Pax;)</p>