Hey guys, I'm filling out my Common App and I'm a bit unsure about the honors section. Do only national awards count, or can I include school-level awards too? How do you decide what makes the cut for this section?
Hey there! Great question. Actually, you can include any recognition that you have received during high school, and this ranges from school-level awards to national accolades. When deciding what to put in the honors section, consider the level of selectivity and the prestige of the award. If you won a departmental award at school, like being the top student in a particular subject, or perhaps you received recognition in district or state competitions, those definitely qualify. Remember, the Common App allows for up to five honors, so select the ones that showcase your highest achievements. For example, if you were recognized as Student of the Month, that’s notable, but if you were also the valedictorian or a National Merit Finalist, those take precedence. Best of luck with your application!
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