How should I list my honors on the Common App?

Hi all, I’m currently filling out the honors section on the Common App and I'm unsure about which ones I should include. Should I prioritize academic awards or could I also mention athletic accolades and other extracurricular achievements? Any advice on how to make this section stand out?

Hello there! It's great that you're giving careful thought to the honors section—it's an excellent opportunity to showcase your achievements. You can indeed include athletic accolades and extracurricular achievements, in addition to your academic awards. The key is to prioritize honors based on their selectivity and level of prestige. For example, a state-level academic award would typically be more impressive than a school-level sportsmanship trophy. Similarly, recognition in national competitions would stand out more than local contest awards.

Remember to use the limited space to highlight your most distinguished achievements. If you've participated in a wide range of activities and won multiple awards, you might need to prioritize those that align with your intended major or those that demonstrate leadership and exceptional skill. This will underline your expertise and commitment in your areas of interest. Don't forget to put them in descending order of importance to ensure the most noteworthy honors catch the admissions officers' eyes first. If you have more than five significant honors and are struggling to decide which to include, seek advice from your school counselor or a trusted teacher to get an outside perspective on which might be more impressive to colleges. Good luck!