How many achievements should I put on Common App?

You can list up to five honors, and for each one you'll be asked to provide a brief description (100 characters or less). For each award, you'll want to indicate the name of the honor, its meaning and purpose, and the years you received it.

Should I put 10 activities on Common App?

You can add up to ten activities to your application, but that doesn't mean that you need to enter ten. On average, students applying through Common App report 6 activities. Don't forget, this section is how colleges can get to know more about you.

How many experiences should I put on Common App?

While there is no limit to the number of experiences you can list, this section is not intended to be like a resume. If you choose, you can upload a more detailed CV/resume in the Documents section. 2. We recommend you focus on meaningful experiences within the last 10 years (high school level or above).

How many awards can you put on college application?

It's time for you to start thinking about listing awards, honors, and activities for your college and scholarship applications. There are five blanks for academic awards on the common application.

Can you combine awards on Common App?

You're also allowed up to five honors total. So, you should list your most impressive awards and group any similar types of awards together.

How to Make Yourself Look Good on the Common App Awards Section

Should I put NHS in honors or activities?

If you have an activity classified as academic, put NHS under community service or other club/activity. If you have an activity classified as other club/activity, put NHS under academic or community service. That way it shows that you have more of a variety of activities.

Can you put 8th grade awards on Common App?

As a general rule, the answer to this question is “no.” Achievements from before high school aren't relevant to the college admissions process; the middle school years are simply too far in the past to provide any value in terms of assessing a student's readiness for college.

Do awards look good on college applications?

Admissions committees see a lot of honor roll and National Society honors on college applications (not that these are bad—they're just fairly common). So if you've won a particularly unique or rare award, definitely include it on your application, as this will help you stand out from the crowd.

Should you put National Honor Society on Common App?

Should I list National Honor Society or Cum Laude Society? Listing membership in these organizations is totally fine, but, rest assured, your National Honors Society affiliation isn't telling the admissions committee much that they cannot glean from other data points on your application.

How much do colleges care about awards?

While listing awards shows college admissions that you excelled in one more more things, they don't really have the potential to make or break your application. Your grades and test scores are far more important.

How many hours is too much on Common App?

During the school year, 25 hours is a solid amount of time to devote to extracurricular pursuits. If a student lists many more hours, admissions officers may find it difficult to believe (even if it's true). If a student lists significantly fewer hours, admissions officers may question the student's commitment.

Should I report hobbies on Common App?

First, if you don't have traditional activities such as clubs or sports, you can include family responsibilities, work experiences, and hobbies. Think creatively when filling out the activities section and don't shy away from listing more unconventional activities.

Do colleges prefer the Common App?

Most colleges who offer their own application will also accept the Common Application. These colleges typically do not have a preference which application a student chooses to submit, though I recommend contacting each college individually to ask if the admissions office has a preference of application type.

Is 10 extracurriculars too much?

If you have more than ten activities, you do not need to list all of them. In fact, on this part of the application, you can make a good argument that less is more. Instead of having a long list of activities, it's much more important to be able to show significant involvement in a few activities.

Should you fill out all 10 extracurricular activities?

Do I need ten extracurricular activities? No. Just because there are ten blank spaces and filling in each one is as inexplicably satisfying as finishing a plate of meatloaf you didn't even want, it does not mean that you should participate in more activities to fill out all ten spaces.

What to do if you have too many activities for Common App?

If you can somehow link all your activities together, that would be the best. Take the opportunity to show colleges that you do things with purpose and passion, rather than just doing as much as you can to seem impressive. It'll demonstrate long-term planning skills and ambition.

Does NHS look good on college apps?

Belonging to an honor society can add credibility to your college and scholarship applications, especially if the society is well-known, such as the National Honor Society (NHS). Honor societies highlight your academic achievements. This can be especially helpful when you are applying for scholarships.

Is NHS a big deal?

NHS is not only a valuable addition to a college application, but gives you many leadership opportunities which is great for both college and life in general.

Should I put AP Scholar with distinction on Common App?

You should definitely add it under the 'Honors' section on the Common App. That section is designed to showcase any distinctions or recognitions you've received during your high school career.

Is Dean's List an honor or award?

The dean's list is a scholarly award for students who demonstrate academic excellence. The award is based on GPA, though specific qualifications for making the dean's list will vary by university and can change each semester.

How much do awards matter for college apps?

No need to stress too much about awards and competitions. While they can indeed add to your application and showcase your achievements, they are not the sole determining factor in admissions. Colleges are looking for well-rounded applicants who can contribute to their communities in various ways.

What GPA do colleges look at when you apply?

Colleges typically consider both your high school GPA and your California State University (CSU)/University of California (UC) GPA when making admissions decisions.

What honors should you report on Common App?

You should lead with your most impressive achievements and make sure that only the best honors make it onto your application. Don't, for instance, include that you were voted “Most Likely to Forget When Graduation Is” by your peers- stick to real honors that you had to compete to get.

Can I put honor roll for honors on Common App?

Don't overlook the more common honors that many students achieve. Accolades like honor societies, honor roll (or the equivalent at your school), or "student of the month" absolutely have a place on the honors list.

Do I put senior year grades on Common App?

Senior grades are necessary to complete an application. Students should ask their school counselor to submit current grades by Friday, January 14, 2023. We realize that this deadline may fall before most students receive their first semester or mid-year grades.