<p>Commonapp explicitly states “since 9th grade” in the honors&awards section, so it can’t go there. </p>
<p>Listing awards from that far back is always discouraged. It’s less likely to reflect the knowledge/ability you’d be taking to college, and it makes it look like you really had to dig to find some awards for that section of your application. First place at nationals is nothing to scoff at though, even if in middle school (assuming this was some respectable competition). You can certainly work it into a short answer/essay somewhere. </p>
<p>You have to understand that with an award from middle school, you’re generally demonstrating middle-school level “talent and passion.” Doesn’t exactly translate into college. Passion and talent at the high school level is much more applicable to college…</p>