How to Choose the Right Awards to Highlight on College Applications

How to Choose the Right Awards to Highlight on College Applications

When you're applying to college, especially to competitive programs, awards can help set your application apart. But not all awards carry the same weight, and how you present them matters just as much as earning them. Understanding awards to put on a college application—and how to showcase them effectively—can strengthen your narrative and help admissions officers see your unique strengths.

Why Awards Matter in College Applications

Colleges use awards and honors as signals. They want to know not just what you’ve achieved, but how your achievements reflect your drive, leadership, academic ability, or creativity. When included strategically, awards can do the following:

• Add credibility to your extracurricular activities

• Demonstrate excellence in a specific field

• Show consistency and commitment over time

• Offer third-party validation of your efforts

That said, a long list isn’t the goal. Quality and relevance always beat quantity.

Types of s

Not all awards are academic—and not all relevant awards are given by your school. Here are the categories that commonly stand out:

1. Academic Awards

These are among the most recognized and respected awards in a college application. Examples include:

• Honor Roll or Dean’s List

• National Honor Society (NHS)

• Subject-specific recognitions (e.g., Math Olympiad, Science Fair winner)

• AP Scholar Awards from the College Board

Even seemingly small achievements, like perfect attendance or department-level awards, are worth listing if they reinforce your story.

2. Leadership Awards

If you’ve held leadership positions, some organizations and schools recognize these roles formally. Examples:

• Student of the Year for leadership

• Club President Awards

• Recognition from leadership programs or youth summits

These highlight initiative and responsibility—qualities admissions officers value highly.

3. Community Service Awards

Colleges look for applicants who give back. Service awards show character and commitment beyond academics. Consider including:

• Presidential Volunteer Service Award

• Local or school-based community impact awards

• Recognition from nonprofits (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross Youth programs)

4. Creative and Artistic Awards

If you're applying to programs related to design, performing arts, or media, creative awards can be key. Examples:

• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

• Local or regional music competitions

• Theatre performance honors

List awards that came from juried competitions or formal showcases—they carry more weight than informal mentions.

5. Athletic Awards

Athletic honors show discipline, teamwork, and commitment. They don’t need to be national to be valuable. Examples include:

• Most Valuable Player (MVP)

• All-State/All-Region recognition

• Sportsmanship awards or team leadership acknowledgments

These should align with your application focus. If you’re not applying as a student-athlete, keep the emphasis brief and relevant.

How to Showcase Awards Effectively

It’s not just about which awards to put on a college application, but how you present them. Use the "Honors" section of the Common App or include them under each activity or role they’re tied to.

Tip 1: Be Specific and Concise

Rather than writing “Science award,” clarify with “1st Place, Regional Science Fair – Biology Category (2024).”

Tip 2: Match Awards to Themes in Your Application

If your essay or major focus is on engineering, highlight awards related to problem-solving or STEM. This builds a consistent narrative.

Tip 3: Include Dates and Level of Recognition

Colleges care about the scale and recency of the award. Use clear labels such as:

Real Example: Turning a Local Award into a Strong Application Point

Alex, a high school senior interested in social entrepreneurship, received a city-level award for organizing a community recycling initiative. While the award wasn’t national, he tied it to his intended major in environmental science. In his application, he mentioned:

• Organizing weekly drives with over 100 volunteers

• Partnering with local businesses for logistics

• Reducing over 3 tons of waste in one summer

That context turned a small-scale award into a compelling story that resonated with admissions readers.

Secondary Keyword: How to Write About Awards in Your Essay

When writing your personal statement or supplemental essays, awards should support—not dominate—the narrative. Mention them briefly if they help prove a trait or value.

For example:
"Leading a school-wide tutoring program that earned our team a District Leadership Award showed me that real impact starts with listening first."

This way, the award is evidence—not the centerpiece.

Mentioning a Trusted Resource: The Vil

If you're unsure how to organize your achievements or build a compelling application profile, The Vil offers helpful tools and workshops tailored for students navigating the college admissions process. Their platform focuses on empowering applicants to present their real selves—not just test scores or titles. From portfolio-building tips to one-on-one mentoring, The Vil supports students in making their story shine.

Learn more at: The Vil (add your real brand link)

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right awards to put on a college application isn’t just about prestige. It’s about relevance, clarity, and how well the award fits into the bigger picture of who you are as a student and a person.

If you’re stuck choosing what to include, ask yourself:

• Did this award reflect effort or excellence I’m proud of?

• Is it aligned with my major, theme, or goals?

• Will it add something meaningful to my application story?