dascholar

Bartleby007, you are really taking this discussion personal. What's wrong? Who hurt you? Sorry that my use of the word "craft" has taken you to dark places. Thank God that I do not do the things you imagine I do. May God bless you and give you peace.

Bartleby007

On the contrary, I haven't taken anything in this thread personally. I invite you to re-read my posts.

Bright, motivated high school students don't need to be coached on how to "craft" their college applications.

Ivygolfer

I received the HPB at my school a couple weeks ago, and have a couple questions/thoughts to share.

1. I am surprised I was chosen for the award, I am far from the top of the class (although I have a large upward trend). I do a fair amount of leadership and super involved with my EC's but I am not at all the top student.

2. I have no idea why my school gets allocated these awards. No one from my school has ever gotten into Harvard, not a single student out of the 5-10 that apply every year.

3. Will adcoms feel that this award mean that I am close to the top of my class because my school does not rank?

Either way I am really glad to receive it and sent a letter thanking the administration and local alumni association for the award.

Bartleby007

@Ivygolfer: Congrats on winning the award...
Depends on the admissions committee.
A Harvard admissions officer familiar with how the prize is awarded would not read too much "meaning" into the honor.
An admissions officer from another university who is unfamiliar with the prize might be impressed.

List the prize in the "awards/honors" section of your college application. Let the admissions committees worry about how to interpret it.

Ivygolfer

@Bartleby007 Thanks for the help!

stemit

In our city students are nominated by the school (a "top" junior). The nominated students were then required to write an essay addressing a specific topic and submit a utube video addressing a separate specific topic. Winners were announced - the number of winners were significantly fewer then the number nominated; the books were given at a ceremony attended by Harvard alum and current students. The ceremony was very marketing oriented.

I have no clue what the weight of the award is on an application, except that it's better to have received it then not to have received it. In light of the process to get the award(the recipient actually had to submit something and clear some unspecified hurdle), I would conclude its more than a school award but less than making it to the intel ISEf finals - a lot less.

skyrifle21

I got the Harvard Book Award too, and I'm going to list it on my Application.

Does anyone know what the level of recognition for this award would be? I'm not quite sure whether I should check School, State/Regional, National, or International.

msteiny1212

Bump, I'd also like to know!

gibby

^^ Posts# 12, 13, 14 and 15 give you the answer. List the award as "school" and if it's something special in your area, go ahead and also list it as "regional" (in addition to school). Colleges understand what the award is no matter how you list it.