What are some prominent awards I can aim for in high school?

Hey guys, I'm currently a junior and I'm wanting to build out my resume a bit more. What are some awards or honors you might suggest I could target? They just have to be ones that would look good on college applications.

There's quite a variety of awards that can impress college admissions officers depending on your specific interests and hobbies. Most of these awards recognize significant achievement, so consider where you already stand out.

If your interests are academic, consider participating in academic competitions. These could be anything from the National Spelling Bee, the Google Science Fair, the National Geographic Bee, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology, or the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

There are also subject-specific competitions. For example, if you're interested in math, the AMC 10/12 and AIME are widely respected math competitions. If you excel in writing, look into the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Community service-wise, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and the President's Volunteer Service Award both recognize impactful and dedicated volunteering.

If you show exceptional leadership potential there is the Congressional Award, which acknowledges initiative, service, and achievement in young people. You might also consider applying for the National Honor Society which recognizes student achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

And lastly, if you have a knack for the arts, there's the National YoungArts Foundation which grants awards across 10 disciplines in the visual, performing, literary, and design arts.

Remember, while these are all great, the key is participating in activities and pursuing awards that directly align with your passions or goals for college and beyond. These should be used in conjunction with extracurriculars, volunteer work, and other achievements to highlight your specialized skills and interests.