Recognizable Markers for "distinguished" students

Parents Forum
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<p>In evaluating prospective students for elite schools, there are probably many “recognizable markers” that help distinguish one student over others. this thread is an attempt to get a good listing of these, which are award or distinguishing achievements that all admissions offices would recognize. Please add to this list, with some words of why (if needed). Many of these are independent recognition of various strong talents, and are goals which are not attainable for most students. Please add others.</p>

<p>Starting list:</p>

<p>All-state athletics - demonstrates not only athletic talent, but in many cases demonstrates leadership potential as well.</p>

<p>All-state (or higher) orchestra or very high-level music awards - not only talent, but demonstrates a passion for long-term involvement and a quest for excellence.</p>

<p>Recognizable national or international awards - Intel and others are elite examples, but there are many others (e.g., US Computing Olympiad, math competitions, etc).</p>

<p>Eagle Scout (or Gold Star) - demonstrate a long, long term commitment to achieving a lofty goal (and can also demonstrate leadership).</p>

<p>NMSF - speaks for itself.</p>

<p>Valedictorian - cream rises to the top.</p>

<p>Writing awards (and published articles), including electronic awards and electronic writing (not self- or vanity-published).</p>

<p>Please list others, including more specific examples of the general ones I’ve listed above.</p>

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<p>Olympic and Junior Olympic level in individual sports, like snowboarding, ice-skating, or skiing.</p>

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<p>Also, maybe Presidential Scholar (2400 single sitting SAT).</p>

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<p>TASP (Telluride Association Summer Program)</p>

<p>Re valedictorian status: Would this be determined in time for college admissions offices to find out about it?</p>

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<p>Science Olympiad, if your team makes it to nationals or if you medal at the state level.</p>

<p>For track & swimming: times. Those sports are easily quantifiable and can be compared with other students at the school. If you are a girl and can high-jump 5’8’, you’re fantastic, whether or not it’s a school record. At my high school, that wouldn’t even be a record; at some other high schools, 5’4 would be a record.</p>

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<p>any sort of ‘celebrity’ (actor/singer/etc)</p>

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<p>Valedictorian is much less in this category than the other markers listed, because valedictorians number in the tens of thousands, while most of the others number in the hundreds or fewer.</p>

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<p>Elected President of Senior Class</p>

<p>Boys Nation</p>

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<p>Civil Air Patrol – Spaatz Award</p>

<p>Serious long term commitment, demonstration of leadership, etc.</p>

<p>Might not be as recognized as some other awards (like the eagle) but it is significant.</p>

<p>Also – isn’t there a big award for 4H?</p>

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<p>high placement at the national level of national history day, national geography bee, national spelling bee (probably state level is good too)</p>

<p>holder of a patent</p>

<p>published research in a professional journal</p>

<p>intel/siemens westinghouse national finalist</p>

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<p>Last name = Bush, Kennedy, Gates (as in Bill), Buffett (as in Warren)</p>

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<p>Having the last name of Trump,Gates,Walton,Rockefeller,etc
(they know you’ll donate $$)
I’m being sarcastic but…</p>

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<p>Writing a novel about 3 girls growing up in New Jersey? Naw…</p>

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<p>-Highly accomplished debaters on the national cirucuit who are ranked among the top 20 on the National Debate Rankings.</p>

<p>-Editor-in-Chief of a known serious weekly hs newspaper</p>

<p>-Having done a research internship at one of the elite colleges.</p>

<p>-RSI</p>

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<p>haha donemom i have to say i love yours. except the NDR is anything but official, considering its calculated by this random guy with a pretty questionable algorithm. but i see your point.</p>

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<p>i think that also goes for top mock trial and academic decathalon and forensic awards. maybe school district representative on the board of education, or even state board of education.</p>

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<p>Yeah, the NDR is not super official, but generally the kids at the very top have really distinguished themselves in the activity. Another way these kids stand out is if they are invited to the very elite round-robin tournaments. But, I’m not sure the colleges are familiar with that.</p>

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<p>Gold Star? I haven’t heard of that one, but Gold Award is Girl Scout’s top recognition.</p>

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<p>Awards on the state and national level for school club competitions.</p>

<p>For example at our HS DECA is a very active club. If you haven’t heard of it, it is a business/marketing club. It has a huge membership and top students are always in leadership positions. They compete on regional, state and national levels. We have had several national award winners recently. One girl in S’s graduating class had DECA as her main EC and was a national award winner. She received 2 full-ride offers for college.</p>

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<p>FIRST Robotics regionals or nationals finalists (depending on role on team)</p>

<p>Unusual skills (SCUBA instructor, bagpipes, etc.)</p>