Applicants fret over awards and honors on college apps
12 posts in the last 30 days, all from r/ApplyingToCollege.
“Hey y'all. I'm working through the common app and was wondering where to put honor societies. I'm in most of the honor societies at my school (NHS, art, math, history, etc) but I can't put them all in activities. So far, I only have 2 honors in my honors section. I've been…”
“I have 4/5 filled with awards I have won at competitions, but idk what to do for my last award. All of these are not too impressive so I am not sure what to put down. - Ap Scholar w distinction (rn i have this on there), [five 5s one 4] - Summa Cum Laude: Top 5% of 400+…”
“Hello everyone. I have UT Austin EA due tonight, and I thought my honors were decent until I realized my top 3 were all group awards. The other 2 academic awards I have are super basic (CB AP Scholar with Distinction, CB National Top School Recognition, and a school-level award…”
Multiple applicants are seeking advice about which extracurricular achievements to highlight in their applications, specifically debating the value of AP Scholar recognition versus DECA state-level awards and Roblox contributions.
SOURCES (17)
“I have 4/5 filled with awards I have won at competitions, but idk what to do for my last award. All of these are not too impressive so I am not sure what to put down. - Ap Scholar w distinction (rn i have this…”
“For the honors section of the common app, you only have one box to list your honor. With the extra characters you have left in that box, should you explain the award or why you got it? For example, if I placed in like science fair, should I say what my project was? Thanks! submitted by /u/No_Explanation1971 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone. I have UT Austin EA due tonight, and I thought my honors were decent until I realized my top 3 were all group awards. The other 2 academic awards I have are super basic (CB AP Scholar with Distinction, CB National Top School Recognition, and a school-level award that every teacher gives once a semester). I want to maximize my honors section, and the only stuff I have that could maybe qualify are my certifications in Java and Autodesk Inventor. I plan to major in computer engineer”
“this is a question about the awards/honors section for my last slot, I am split between National Merit COMMENDED (NOT semi finalist) and a school level award. I do not have any national level awards, so commended would be a nice addition. but if I didn’t get semi finalist is it even that good💀 plus I am submitting my beautiful 1500+ sat score so colleges will already know I am good at clicking buttons on multiple choice exams. the school award, on the other hand, is something I am actually very”
“Hi! I am currently completing the Honors section of CommonApp. I really only have a couple of academic achievments, such Student of the Month + AP Scholar. Should I mention my Honors in fine arts alongside these even though it states academic? (ACDA National Honor Choir Member, SWACDA Multi-Regional Honor Choir Member, and International Honor Thespian?) submitted by /u/Frosty-Mention-7488 [link] [comments]”
“my honors section i think is the weakest part of my app. as i literally only have college board, state, and school awards nothing from hosa, fbla, deca any of that because i didn't lock in for them but i plan to apply to very competitive schools so would this cause a huge disadvantage to my app? submitted by /u/Amazing-Animal9583 [link] [comments]”
“I’ve won in 2 game jams: Roblox Inspire 2024 (1st place in the category Best Video Trailer) (3,000$ on the team) Roblox Inspire 2025 (2nd place in Best technical quality) (2,000$ on the team) It is said that Honors section is for academic achievements, and my examples are not really that academic. Should I leave them in my application (I don’t have any other honors), or remove them submitted by /u/IDoninoobshI [link] [comments]”
“I'm working on my college applications and they ask for honors/awards. I've already been named a National Merit Semifinalist, but I won't be declared a Finalist (assuming I am) until after most of these applications are due. Is it ok to write National Merit Semifinalist (Finalist pending) on these applications or is that frowned upon? Thanks. submitted by /u/Complete-Let-3131 [link] [comments]”
“so originally for my common app I had that I got the College Board National Recognition Program Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Best Research Paper for Dual Credit U.S. History (1 of 2 recipients), highest GPA award for Honors Chemistry, Academic Excellence Physics, and Best Fiction Writing Honors English. My conundrum is I got one of my research papers about the importance of the separation of church and state published in the Curieux Review for their October part 1. Should I trade”
“Hey y'all. I'm working through the common app and was wondering where to put honor societies. I'm in most of the honor societies at my school (NHS, art, math, history, etc) but I can't put them all in activities. So far, I only have 2 honors in my honors section. I've been involved in most of these (art, history, and science to be specific, I got into math, english, and nhs in the last 2 years and have only been to 1 meeting each). I know that I cant put honor societies for i”
“it's a state honor society but school chapter, not a national one like nhs or nehs submitted by /u/Ok-Operation6537 [link] [comments]”
“I have both National Honor Society and CollegeBoard National Recognition Program. Which one should I put in my common app honors section, or should I put both and replace the AP Scholar award because schools can just calculate that on their own? submitted by /u/Pretend-Can2893 [link] [comments]”
“Help me narrow down my 5 best honors to put on my common app from these honors I have received: • Girl Scout Gold Award • AP Honor with Distinction • College Board National School Recognition Award • HOBY Ambassador • National Honors Society • Spanish Honors Society • National Merit Commended Scholar submitted by /u/Effective_Pen_9222 [link] [comments]”
“Hey guys,so a few days ago I met w my uni counsellor and she said that in the honors and awards section in common app, you can only add like ‘academic’ achievements. Is this true? I only have like 1 academic achievement and the rest are mostly around my ECs. Help me out pls😰 submitted by /u/Tsiic [link] [comments]”
“Is honor section about only academics?. Like national merit, olympiad? Or can i put my ECs related awards, like national best debater, poetry competition ? submitted by /u/Ancient_Movie110 [link] [comments]”
“Hi, for my honors, I’m choosing between a few awards that include AP Scholar with honors, college board rural and small town recognition, national honor societies (rho kappa, English, and regular). As well, I have a state level DECA award (got me to icdc). Of those few, which are the most strongest to include of the 5 slots? submitted by /u/Available_Top6050 [link] [comments]”