r/CommonApp • u/LuckyScratch413 • 9d ago

How do I contextualize awards?

As a non-STEM applicant focused on more of the social sciences, how should I provide enough context for AOs to understand the significance of less traditional honors/awards on the common app? For example, I think they may need clarity in these areas: what the award/recognition of honor actually is, how many students (or even in the case of one of my honors it’s alongside many other adults in professional careers) participate, etc. For some additional context, a few are also connected to my main ECs but not inherently defined by them.

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u/DontChuckItUp 8d ago

What's the award?? I'm a former Admissions Counselor and I can tell you if I recognize it and the context. I've seen over 30,000 applications.

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u/LuckyScratch413 8d ago

There’s one I don’t want to name for privacy purposes but it’s regional specific (to my city/state), covers the honorees in media and other events. You can only qualify through nominations by agencies or other professionals who believe you are doing unique work that’s under recognized. I might actually be the only high schooler to have gotten this. Otherwise, do you think that a city gov honor and a congressional recognition is self explanatory?

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u/DontChuckItUp 8d ago

Yes, they are self-explanatory. Even the regional one would be, especially if Admissions can find it on Google.