Excelling in high school certainly has its perks. One of them is the ability to increase the likelihood of gaining acceptance into the college or university of your choice. Recognizing student excellence, both in the classroom and out, has long been a tradition for high school academic institutions, be they private or public in nature. Some of these awards are memorialized in the form of a framed diploma, while others come with a beautifully engraved plaque or custom trophy.
Whatever the nature of your award, you should be proud to know that years after it’s been presented to you, you can still proudly view it on your mantlepiece. If it were constructed the right way, it would look as good as new, even forty years down the road. According to experts at the EDCO trophy store, all academic awards and trophies should be renowned for possessing distinct designs and top-notch construction. By utilizing modern, eye-catching styling, your trophy is sure to grab much-deserved attention while exuding distinction. It is also something that a prospective college will take notice of.
With that clearly in mind, what types of awards can help get you into a college or university of your choice? According to a recent report by Collegevine, most colleges and universities look out for a variety of achievements and awards that demonstrate a prospective student’s dedication, passion, and excellence in their chosen field of study. Here are some examples of these awards:
National and International Competitions
Awards that come from prestigious and well-known national and international competitions like the Engineering Fair or the Intel International Science competition make a collegiate candidate stand out from the crowd of applicants. International Mathematical Olympiad and the Model United Nations conferences can showcase a student’s exceptional abilities in the collegiate election process.
Scholastic Recognition Awards
It’s said that scholastic recognition awards like the Presidential Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, and the AP Scholar Award are true indicators of academic excellence. These awards can be a real advantage for a student hoping to be accepted at one of the best colleges or universities in the country. This means that students hoping to be accepted at an Ivy League school, for instance, need to put in the necessary study time both at school and at home.
State-Level Academic, Sports, and Liberal Arts Competitions
On the state level, students who win awards such as All-State on a sports team or All-State in theater, music, or debate can be a real plus for a student who’s looking for that extra edge against the competition. State science and math competitions are also greatly appreciated by prospective institutions of higher learning.
Leadership Awards and Honors
Says Collegevine, students who have earned awards and honors on behalf of their leadership skills, such as National Honor Society or Key Club, clearly demonstrate initiative and commitment when it comes to impacting their community. Colleges and universities like the idea of accepting future leaders in society.
Creativity and Arts Awards
Major student accomplishments in creative areas such as music, visual arts, acting, filmmaking, and fiction writing, such as the Gold Key from Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, can go a long way if applying to a prestigious college that places great importance on the arts. Being recognized in a state or regional art competition is said to highlight a student’s artistic talent and overall passion for creative expression and performance.
Community Service Awards and Honors
Highly sought-after recognition like the President’s Volunteer Service Award or any number of local community service honors and initiatives led by students during their free time can showcase their commitment to making their community better. It also shows they are not selfish with their time.
Subject-Specific Achievements and Awards
Major achievements in specific subject areas, such as technology, science, math, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and journalism, are a great indication that a student is already on his or her path to a solid career of their choice far earlier than most of their peers. This is not taken lightly by a major college or university.
While colleges in the 2020s accept a certain number of DEI students based predominantly on race and ethnicity and not necessarily merit, achieving recognition and honors for outstanding performance in academics, sports, the arts, and the community becomes more important than ever. In a word, these honors demonstrate a deep commitment to a student’s chosen career and life pursuits.