<p>There are literally tens of thousands of students and each of them have a long list of impressive awards. How are there even that many awards ?</p>
<p>MONEY!! Many of these kids come from upper middle class families and attended private, magnet or wealthier suburban public schools. These schools are geared to provide optimal opportunities for eager students. Others have professional parents who are connected enough to provide research and work experience for their children. These opportunities lead to excellent recognition and awards. Try and find several poor students who came from low income areas; good luck with that.</p>
<p>Some also work hard or create opportunities themselves, entering competitions and making clubs to be chapters in national organizations with conferences and awards.</p>
<p>“Try and find several poor students who came from low income areas” </p>
<p>I think you missed some part of that sentence because Newark is only 30 mins. away.</p>
<p>OP - it’s not like everyone has a unique set of awards, the typical NMS awards/AP awards are everywhere, FBLA/DECA type clubs are in most schools, music awards (I think?) come very often if one plays a lot (I think? idk), online competitions are common and simple to find and enter, etc.</p>