Only 9th grade (Year 8) and on. Things you did at age 11, 12, or 13 don’t matter.
In this tab, you’d enter if, for instance, you got honors on your Lower School Leaving Exams or ranked top 10% nationally for this. Or if after Semester 1 junior year you got recognition for doing well (“Academic excellence”, “Dean’s recognition”, “Faculty recognition”, “top scorer/topper”). If being Prefect is linked to academics, it can also be included (not if it’s a school wide election where faculty/administration have no input).
9th grade, not all of middle school.
Schools like Amherst, MIT, Yale, Harvard, Princeton will ignore detais before 9th. But please understand, getting an admit is about how you think, how you learn what they look for and process, how you show the qualities/traits they like. For nearly every applicant, that’s not reaching back to middle school to find an award.
They also want to see how you stretch, what various challenges you took on, depth and breadth in activities. All these show your thinking, how you stretch, what matters. And to some degree, your impact.
Yes, I’m talking about 9th grade, which is the last (third) year of polish middle schools (at least was when I graduated).
My most notable academic achievements happened during that year, so I just want to be sure that I can include them (and that they will boost my odds)
You can include them but they won’t boost your odds, because they’ll raise the questions: why haven’t you done anything since then? if you peaked at age 14, why should they admit you as an 18 year old?
=> try answering this question here (on this thread) so we can help you with that.
@doopah You seem confused about much of this process and what matters, how it matters or whether it helps or hinders. A 9th grade award, possibly no meaningful ECs, etc, will affect chances.
It’s common for international kids to not have the activity opportunities we have in the US. Adcoms know that. But they still look for how you stretched, took on responsibilities, and did some good. In and out of class. In your community, as well. Plus what you’ve done to further your experience in STEM (not just classes.)
To make your best presentation to these “most competitive” colleges, you may need to understand more about what these colleges do look for.
It probably has something to do with the fact that my middle school was a prestigious institution that gave much more opportunity than my high school which is just an average public school.
Also I’m currently during my last year of high school so I have yet to earn my high school achievements (for example the maths olympiad, I tried it a year ago just to feel it out, it didn’t go very well, I’ll have a more serious run this year), and my leaving exams. (By my most notable achievements I meant the leaving exams and the contest which is a middle school equivalent to the aforementioned olympiad)
You can list 5 things so I thought I’d list the maths contest, middle school leaving exams (which got me a “best middle schooler” award) and 3 things from high school, probably some other math contests or the fact that my average grade last year was above 4.75 which gives me some kind of distinction and above 5.00 which my school honours in its own way.
What matters is the high school years.
When I said “your thinking,” this current focus on finding awards back to pre-9th (or explaing your middle school was so competitive) is missing the fact they want to see what you’ve done in 9th and since. Really, the last 2-3 years matter most. They represent who you are NOW, not at a younger age. As MYOS said.
Did you manage to list the present academic year’s courses? Now, focus on what you can show for the last 2 years. The successes, engagements, and qualities that matter. Learn what those are.
An application to a US “tippy top” is not just about your record, not about finding a few things you did well, whenever they were. It’s about more. And there will be competition from other Polish students and those from adjoining countries.
But I am talking about 9th grade and since - it just so happens that high school in Poland lasts 3 years, not 4 so my question was - is the last year of middle school (which is equivalent to freshman high-school in US) valid. I’m not trying to dig up achievements from my childhood - all the stuff I want to list happened less than three years ago and most of it happened recently.
We answered that.
In the US there are 7-8/10-12 schools too. Anything 9-12 matters.
Think about any sort of recognition at your school. If you participated in math Olympiads, you list math Olympiads, check 11,12 and indicate level reached or rank (city, region, province/state, country) + date for the 2019 competition you’re going to .
How about letters of recomendation? I’ve been lurking common app for an hour and still have no idea how to supply them. Is it even possible to do it online or do I have to mail the letters to every school?
Never mind just figured it out. Turns out it was staring me in the face 
Another thing: I got an e-mail from Fordham University advertising the school. It says that I can use the fee-waiver if I were to apply there.
"Remember that when you apply, there’s no fee to pay, saving you $70 USD! To use the fee waiver for the Common Application, go to the Fordham University Questions section of the My Colleges tab and select “I have received a fee waiver from Fordham University.”
Is it really that simple? Do colleges just give out fee-waivers? Is there a way to get a fee-waiver to other schools I apply to? (I thought that it’s my school that has to fill out some forms to get it and I try not involve them when I can)
We explained the counselor letter and then what it means to list your courses. Then how “high school” is 9th and on. Please, now read what your target colleges say about various points. Some can be googled These questions are all basics. Try to look at other international applicant threads/questions.
Not sure what your college list now is. But the top colleges need more than your transcript and some awards. You need to try to understand what that is. They want the sort of students who explore and process.
Best wishes.
Is it really that simple? – Yes
Do colleges just give out fee-waivers – Many do, especially private universities/colleges.
Is there a way to get a fee-waiver to other schools I apply to? – Check their websites or email the admissions office at each school to request it.
(I thought that it’s my school that has to fill out some forms to get it and I try not involve them when I can) – I don’t understand what you are asking here. Your school has to provide your letters of recommendations and your transcripts. Testing companies (SAT, ACT) provide your scores. You provide everything else.
So one of my teachers giving me a LoR doesn’t speak English. I’ll have her letter oficially translated by another teacher. But how about the questions at commonapp? Is she supposed to write them in Polish and supply an English translation - there isn’t really a way to do this unless both teachers use the same account or sit together at the computer in which case the second teacher could just write it in English. How should I handle it?
Yez, both teachers should sit side by side, or you and the non English speaking teacher can sit side by side and complete it.
Better it’s two adults, not the appicant.