I'm kinda at a loss on how to mention my honors and awards from high school in the Common App. I definitely don't want to underplay them, but I'm worried about taking up too much space. Can someone guide me on which honors are worth including and how to format them properly?
Absolutely, it's great you're putting thought into this! It's crucial to prioritize the honors that either align with your intended field of study or show an outstanding level of achievement. For instance, if you won first place in a state-level science fair and you're aiming for a STEM program, that's definitely something you'd want to include. The Common App allows for up to five entries in the Honors section, so choose the ones that best showcase your highest levels of recognition and distinction.
When formatting, be concise but clear. Start with the name of the award, followed by the level of recognition (like 'National,' 'Regional,' 'State,' or 'School'), and finish with a brief explanation if it's not a widely recognized award. Dates are also important—make sure to note when you received each honor. For example, ‘National Merit Scholar Finalist - National - Awarded for scoring in the top 1% of PSAT test-takers nationwide (2021)’. Remember, it's about quality over quantity, so pick the ones that truly stand out and speak to your academic and extracurricular expertise.
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.