Hey guys! I'm working on my college applications and I want to list some of my academic awards. Can you give me some examples of common high school academic awards that would look good on an application and that I might have overlooked? Thanks!
Sure! Academic awards can be a great way to showcase your achievements and skills on your college applications. Here's a list of common high school academic awards that you might have received and can consider including:
1. Honor Roll or High Honor Roll: Recognition for achieving a specific GPA or being in the top percentage of your class.
2. National Honor Society (NHS) or similar honor societies (e.g., National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta for mathematics, etc.): Membership is typically based on GPA, character, leadership, and service.
3. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: National program that recognizes excellence in various categories, such as writing, visual arts, photography, and film.
4. Science Olympiad, National Science Bowl, or other STEM competitions: Awards for competing and placing high in these science and technology-based competitions.
5. Model United Nations (MUN) or Debate Team Awards: Recognition for participation and high achievement in conferences or tournaments.
6. Math, History, or other subject-based competitions: Awards for placing high in competitions such as MathCounts, the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), History Bee, or National Geographic GeoBee.
7. Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards: Recognition for scoring well on a certain number of AP exams (e.g., AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction).
8. President's Education Awards Program: Awards given to students who demonstrate academic achievement, including the President's Award for Educational Excellence and the President's Award for Educational Achievement.
9. Perfect Attendance: Recognition for attending school every day without any absences.
10. Local or regional awards: Scholarships, essay contests, or subject-based awards given by local organizations or institutions.
Keep in mind that you should only include awards that you have personally received. It's best to prioritize awards that are most relevant to your academic and personal interests when listing them on your application. Don't forget to provide a brief description of each award, as this will help the admissions committee better understand your achievements. Good luck with your college applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.