<p>Every year my school gives out department awards for each class, which is typically reserved for the student with the highest grade, or sometimes for whoever the teacher thinks is the best student overall. Do colleges actually look favorably at these, or does it not matter? I have ones for Pre IB Spanish 1 and 2 and Pre IB chemistry. Should I bother to include these on my application?</p>
<p>I got one for Biology at my school. I putted it on my application. An extra award won’t hurt i guess.</p>
<p>I don’t think they care. Add it, but if you think about it, if you have a high GPA, more than likely you’ll have the highest grades. I would add this, but would only be beneficial if you were like bad in everything, and like REALLY good at one area, like math.</p>
<p>They won’t consider that I beat everyone else out for it? At my school you have to have a near-perfect grade in the class to pull these off…but it’s fine, I mainly just wanted to make sure it wasn’t one of those awards colleges supposedly laugh at, like Who’s Who or National Honor Roll.</p>
<p>It seems like a filler on the application. On second thought, don’t put it.</p>
<p>Do put it! The “awards” section on most application is not just for the few who get national awards. You are on the top of your school and you need to show that to colleges! The whole application is about selling all the postitive aspects of yourself, not selling the few parts of yourself think might do some good sometime only in the application process.</p>
<p>Let me put it this way: If you’re applying to like the Ivies…don’t put it.</p>
<p>^^um why…at worst it tells the ivies that you are particularly strong in that subject area…and that can’t be too bad can it?</p>
<p>You can prove that through SAT IIs…if you’re really that good.</p>
<p>And getting the award just reinforces the message to the colleges that you really know your stuff in this one area…besides we all know that some sat2s aren’t really that difficult…and this could be the one item that distinguishes the applicant from another applicant with the same high score…</p>
<p>Glucose, after some quick research, I’ve discovered that you are also going through the application process. I’ve been there, done that, and I’ve had quite a few lengthy chats with GCs, college counselors and adcoms about such things… </p>
<p>Make your own decisions, but mercinator, I would advise you to include your departmental honors.</p>
<p>And there also aren’t ways to prove through tests that you are excellent in laboratory settings, art, music, etc. Tests aren’t everything. Especially in college admissions.</p>
<p>I strongly urge you to include the department award on your app. I am not sure how your school makes the final selection, but I am guessing that the award carries with it more than just the highest grade. By default, at least in my school, receiving an award acknowledges you as a leader in your class, a person who iniciates discussion, and, simply put, goes beyond what is required. Any university, whether Tier 1, 2 or 3, will see you in a positive light, knowing that you have the drive and desire to excel in a particular area.</p>
<p>I’m not gonna put it, and again mercinator, it is your decision. Don’t do what I do, if you don’t believe in it. I just think that awards like “best in class” is ok and all, but it really doesn’t prove anything. I think if anything, it is a focal way of getting a nice recommendation (assuming that your teacher liked you enough/department to choose you).</p>
<p>Wow, lots of responses. Everything was quite helpful, thanks. I’m applying to mostly UCs. I believe I will include them, since I don’t have a lot else to put there, and because I had to work my a$$ off for them. In my opinion, being chosen as basically the best Spanish student in my entire class for two years in a row by two completely different teachers is a pretty good accomplishment. And yes, as far as I can tell, the award usually does mean more than just the highest grade, but generally the best overall kid does happen to have the highest grade as well. Thanks for the help everyone.</p>
<p>It’s a good recommendation, nothing too much more though.</p>