My feedAdmissions Advice
3
@chrimp
3 answers, 22 votes
 • 3 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Competition won in primary school
Answered

I got a state-level award(2nd place in Seoul capital area, which has 50% of national population) when I was 11. There was no age limitation, from children (not many, of course) to adults. It was tremendous experience for me. It definitely inspired me but I also felt sad since I was so nervous so that I couldn't do my best.

I absolutely want to include this in my application. It was very uncommon for a primary student to even get qualification to enter the competition. It required one certification for each field. I entered 5 fields though.

Can I put this in Common App "Activities" section? Or should I put this in my essay? Or maybe... not to include?

extracirriculars
3
6

Earn karma by helping others:

1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted.

3 answers

2
Accepted Answer
@CameronBameron
2,264 answers, 8,654 votes
 • 3 years ago

What was the competition for? And have you continued to do this activity? Just curious.

It would be most helpful if you could answer these questions.

2
[🎤 AUTHOR]@chrimp3 years ago [edited]

It was computer work related thing. I can't recall it clearly... But I remember that I had five fields available(Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Media processing, IT Knowledge each field requires me to get A on certification test). And of course, I have continued it. Now I started to learn about computer programming (UI design).

@CameronBameron3 years ago

I see. If you are going to major in Computer Science, I would mention it in your personal essay or add'l information. Since it's from elementary school, I wouldn't include it in your Activities (ECs), honors or awards because it was so long ago. All College Admissions application readers want to know what you did in 9th-12th grade. They wouldn't count this toward your college admissions in my opinion. Good luck.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@chrimp3 years ago

I will do so. Thank you a lot!

1
@mayaalamm
5 answers, 3 votes
 • 3 years ago

I would stay away from focusing too much on it, as a lot of college counselors recommend avoiding any awards done even in middle school. Since primary school was a while ago, I would not include it as a main focal point of an essay, but maybe as an event that encouraged me to pursue my passions/set me on the path I am today. However, since it is an uncommon award, you could put it in your resume or a secondary document.

1
1
@contrarianorjustcontrary
6 answers, 11 votes
 • 3 years ago

Even if you don't include it in your application, this seems like a good topic for an essay. You said "It was tremendous experience for me. It definitely inspired me..." Expanding on that could make for an excellent essay.

1
What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
UCLA
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)
Add more factors ›

Community Guidelines

To keep this community safe and supportive:

  1. Be kind and respectful!
  2. Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
  3. Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!

How karma works