What awards impress colleges?

Examples of academic awards include, but are not limited to:
  • AP Scholar.
  • Any “honor society” such as, International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, etc.
  • Honor Roll.
  • National Language Exam Recognition.
  • National Merit Award.
  • President's Award.
  • School subject-based award.
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What is most impressive to colleges?

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Your GPA is the single most influential factor that any college will consider. It reflects your performance as a student over almost four years of your life and offers insight into what sort of college student you will be.
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What can make you stand out to colleges?

Here are six tips from admissions staff on ways to set yourself apart from other college applicants:
  • Have a diverse list of extracurricular activities.
  • Challenge yourself.
  • Go beyond the norm in a college essay.
  • Show grades trending up.
  • Demonstrate interest in the college.
  • Schedule an interview if possible.
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What competitions do colleges look at?

The Top Competitions and Contests

Contests that are held in particularly high regard by admissions committees include: the United States Academic Decathlon, Chemistry Olympiad, and National Mock Trial. For a complete list of competitions and contests that boost your college admission prospects, please click here.
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Do colleges look at awards?

I'd say awards can definitely boost your application, but it's not necessary to have them, as long as you have strong ECs otherwise. For instance, being a state-level debater isn't an award per se, but it's still impressive for top colleges.
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Activities That DO Impress Colleges!!! OWN the College Admissions Process



What grade do colleges look at most?

Your junior year grades are essential: it's the grade a college will look at most, along with your senior year. Your grades predetermine your academic performance for your final year. Your GPA and the “sturdiness” of it matters.
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Do colleges like Gold Award?

In terms of higher education and career, receiving the Gold Award can help you stand out from the crowd in the college admission process! When reviewing applications, colleges and universities take into account the Gold Award as a meaningful sign of leadership and service.
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What are the top 3 things colleges look for?

Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
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What special talents do colleges look for?

Here are 9 character traits that colleges often cite when they describe what they are looking for in students.
  • Curiosity. ...
  • Persistence. ...
  • Risk-taking. ...
  • Compassion. ...
  • open-mindedness. ...
  • Social Consciousness. ...
  • Creativity. ...
  • Collaboration.
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Do I need to win competitions to get into college?

Hi, the definitive answer is that you do not have to participate in competitions to get accepted into an Ivy League or Elite College.
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What are top colleges looking for?

What are the Most Important Factors in College Admissions?
  • Grades in college prep courses. ...
  • Strength of curriculum. ...
  • Admission test scores. ...
  • Grades in all courses. ...
  • Extracurricular commitment. ...
  • Letters of recommendation. ...
  • Essay or writing sample. ...
  • Demonstrated interest.
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How can I impress a college?

Ways to Impress Colleges With Your Application
  1. Submit Early. One way you can impress college admissions reviewers right off the bat is by submitting your application early. ...
  2. Be Relevant. ...
  3. Have Solid Academics. ...
  4. Don't Shy Away From Extracurricular Activities. ...
  5. Care for Your Community.
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What attracts students to a college?

The long-term reputation of the institution. The quality of its educators and courses. The flexibility of the syllabus (for national but not international students). The quality of the facilities.
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What do universities look for?

Students must demonstrate a passion for their chosen subject. Independent extended interest in a subject that goes above and beyond what is required in the classroom, a personal achievement and extracurricular activities can all help to illustrate this.
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Do colleges care if you were in honors?

Yes, colleges definitely care if you challenge yourself in high school by taking honors classes over regular classes. Admissions officers receive a school profile with your application that generally lists how many AP, IB, and honors classes your school offers.
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Do colleges care about high honors?

Do colleges care about honors classes? Yes. Honors classes can demonstrate to colleges that a student has strong academic interests and high academic achievement.
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Is honors a big deal in college?

Students should know that graduating with honors does matter. An honors distinction is an easy way to judge the success you had in school. While earning honors isn't the most important thing, students in school should work to achieve a high GPA, and therefore, high honors.
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What do colleges look for in essays?

Colleges look for three things in your admission essay: a unique perspective, strong writing, and an authentic voice. People in admissions often say that a great essay is one where it feels like the student is right there in the room, talking authentically to the admissions committee!
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What grade does Harvard look at?

What GPA do I need to get into Harvard? To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. The Harvard Crimson reports that the average reported GPA of entering freshmen in the class of 2022 was 3.90 on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
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Do perfect grades matter in college?

So yes, while you're in college, GPA certainly matters. Having a good GPA can also help you earn academic honors, and it provides the college administration with a method of ranking performance in a particular course or program.
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What makes a student stand out?

Good grades and test scores, a rigorous academic program, and a full compliment of academic classes during all four years are all necessary to be accepted into a good school.
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What are the most prestigious awards high school?

One of the best honors given to high school students in the USA is the President's Educational Excellence Award. The office of the United States President bestows this honor. Based on the standards established by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, it is given out.
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Are college admissions based on luck?

Or what about if the admissions officer evaluating your application sees herself in your application? That kind of luck can indeed help your case for admission. And it often does! But, keep in mind, luck has very, very little to do with college admissions decisions.
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Do colleges care about competitions?

It's worth noting that while a competition can be a valuable addition to a student's college application, it is not the only factor that colleges consider. Other factors such as grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation are also considered.
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Do colleges look at all your activities?

Colleges appreciate applicants with meaningful extracurricular achievements, not just club memberships. May 2, 2022, at 5:33 p.m. As every college applicant knows, admissions offices look at extracurricular activities as one of the many factors that go into admissions decisions.
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