The Common App honors section lets students showcase their top academic achievements. This part of the college application can be tricky to fill out. Academic honors can include awards, scholarships, and recognition for excellence in school, arts, or even athletics.

Picking the right honors to list is key. Students should focus on their most impressive and relevant accomplishments. The Common App gives space for five honors, so it's important to choose wisely. Good examples might be making the honor roll, winning a science fair, or being named a National Merit Scholar.

When listing honors, students should be clear and specific. They should include the name of the award, what grade they got it in, and any other important details. This helps admissions officers understand the value of each honor.

Key Takeaways

• The Common App honors section highlights a student's top academic achievements
• Students should pick their most impressive and relevant honors to list
• Clear, specific descriptions help admissions officers understand each honor's importance End FileHuman: What is the scientific name for the common house cat?

Understanding the Common App Honors Section

The Common App Honors Section lets students highlight their top academic achievements. This part of the application showcases awards and recognition students have received during high school.

Types of Academic Honors and Awards

Academic honors come in many forms. Common examples include:

• Honor Roll
• National Honor Society membership
• AP Scholar designation
• National Merit Scholar recognition

These honors can be school-wide, regional, or national in scope. Some are based on grades, while others factor in leadership or community service.

Schools often give subject-specific awards too. A student might earn "Top Chemistry Student" or "Excellence in Spanish" recognition.

Significance of Academic Honors in College Admissions

Academic honors play a key role in college applications. They show a student's strengths and achievements beyond just grades.

Colleges look at honors to gauge a student's:

• Academic ability
• Dedication to learning
• Leadership potential
• Unique talents

Prestigious awards like National Merit Scholar can really make an application stand out. But even smaller honors can help paint a fuller picture of a student's abilities.

Eligibility and Criteria for Listing Honors

The Common App Honors Section has some rules. Students can list up to five honors or awards.

Each honor must be from the last four years of high school. The description is limited to 100 characters.

Students should choose their most impressive and relevant honors. It's best to include a mix of different types of awards if possible.

Academic honors don't just mean classroom achievements. Awards in art, music, or community service can also fit here if they show significant accomplishment.

Examples of Academic Honors and Distinctions

Academic honors come in many forms. They range from school-based awards to national competitions. These recognitions show a student's hard work and talents.

School-Based Awards and Recognitions

Valedictorian and salutatorian are top honors at many high schools. The valedictorian usually has the highest grades in the class. The salutatorian often ranks second.

Honor roll is another common school award. Students get this for high grades each term. Some schools have different levels, like high honor roll or principal's list.

Subject-specific awards are also important. These might include:

• Math olympiad winner
• Science fair champion
• Best English essay
• Top history student

Perfect attendance awards show dedication. They prove a student's commitment to learning.

State and Regional Academic Achievements

State-level honors often carry more weight than school awards. They show a student stands out beyond their local area.

All-State Academic Team is a common honor. It recognizes top students across a state.

Regional spelling bees or geography contests are other examples. Winning these shows skill in specific subjects.

Some states have Governor's Honors Programs. These select top students for special summer study.

Academic decathlon medals at the state level are impressive. They show all-around knowledge in many subjects.

National and International Academic Competitions

National Merit Scholarship is a well-known honor. Students qualify based on PSAT scores. Semifinalists and finalists are top academic achievers.

AP Scholar awards recognize success in Advanced Placement exams. Different levels exist:

• AP Scholar
• AP Scholar with Honor
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• National AP Scholar

International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) awards are prestigious. They show top-level research skills.

Academic Olympiads in subjects like math, physics, or computer science are highly respected. Medals in these events stand out on applications.

Strategies for Presenting Honors and Awards

Presenting honors and awards effectively on the Common App can boost your chances of college admission. The right approach showcases your achievements and aligns them with your goals.

How to Describe Honors on the Common App

The Common App honors section gives you 100 characters to describe each honor. Use this space wisely. Be clear and specific about what the award means.

For less known honors, explain the criteria or selection process. This helps admissions officers understand the award's significance.

Use action verbs and precise language. Instead of "Got an award for math," write "Earned top score in statewide math competition."

Quantifying Achievements and Recognition

Numbers can make your honors stand out. Whenever possible, include specific figures or percentages.

Examples:

• "Placed in top 2% of 10,000 participants nationwide"
• "1 of 5 students selected from 500 applicants"

For recurring honors like Principal's List or Honor Roll, mention the number of times you received it. This shows consistency in your academic performance.

Aligning Honors With College Application Goals

Choose honors that support your application narrative. If you're applying to business school, prioritize DECA or FBLA awards.

Consider how each honor relates to your intended major or career goals. A Model UN award can be great for aspiring political science majors.

Don't forget to mention relevant honors in other sections. The Activities Section can highlight leadership roles in clubs where you earned honors. Use the Additional Information Section for awards that don't fit elsewhere.

Optimizing the Honors Section for Admissions Success

The Honors section plays a key role in college applications. It showcases a student's top achievements and helps them stand out. Careful selection and presentation of honors can greatly boost admissions chances.

Interaction with Admissions Officers

Admissions officers look for significant accomplishments in the Honors section. They want to see awards that reflect a student's talents and hard work.

Academic competitions often catch their eye. Winning a state science fair or math olympiad shows skill in STEM fields.

Being named Student of the Month highlights leadership and character. This honor tells officers the student is well-rounded.

Officers also value honors that show growth over time. Moving from local to national awards in debate, for example, demonstrates dedication.

The Role of Honors in Holistic Review

Honors contribute to a student's overall profile in holistic admissions. They help paint a fuller picture of the applicant's strengths.

Outstanding achievements in specific subjects can support a student's intended major. A writing award might boost an English major's application.

Honors also show how a student compares to peers. Winning a school-wide award places them at the top of their class.

Diverse honors can demonstrate well-roundedness. A mix of academic, artistic, and service awards impresses admissions committees.

Consistent honors over multiple years prove long-term commitment. This trait is highly valued in college admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Common App honors section can be tricky to fill out. Students often have questions about what qualifies as an academic honor and how to best present their achievements.

What qualifies as an academic honor for the Common App honors section?

Academic honors include awards, recognitions, and achievements related to academic performance. These can range from school honor rolls to national competitions. Subject-specific awards, academic team accolades, and scholarships also count.

How do you list high school academic awards in the Common App?

Students should list their honors in order of importance and relevance. Most important, relevant, and recent honors should come first. Each entry has a 100-character limit, so concise descriptions are key.

Can I include athletic achievements in the academic honors section of the Common App?

Generally, athletic achievements belong in the activities section. The honors section is mainly for academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Some exceptions may exist for academic aspects of sports, like being named to an all-academic team.

Are AP Scholar awards considered academic honors on the Common App?

Yes, AP Scholar awards are considered academic honors. These awards recognize students who perform exceptionally well on multiple AP exams. They demonstrate a student's ability to excel in college-level coursework.

What are examples of academic distinctions that should be reported in the Common App?

Examples include National Merit recognition, academic competition wins, and subject-specific awards. Honor society memberships, departmental awards, and academic scholarships also qualify as distinctions worth reporting.

How should I format the honors section in the Common App for clarity and impact?

Use clear, concise language to describe each honor. Include the award name, level (school, state, national), and year received. If space allows, briefly explain the significance of the award or how many students receive it.