How do you fill out the Common App awards section correctly?

Treat the Common App awards section like a short, factual résumé line for each honor. List the official name of the award, the level of recognition such as school, regional, state, national, or international, and the grade(s) in which you received it. Use the description box to clarify what it is only if the title is vague, and keep the wording concise and specific.

What counts as an award is broader than many students think. Academic honors, honor societies, AP Scholar distinctions, school subject awards, competition placements, merit-based scholarships, and major club or community recognitions can all fit if they are genuinely selective or meaningful. Routine participation certificates, attendance awards, or positions you held are usually better left out unless the recognition itself was competitive.

A clean format is: official award name | level | brief clarification if needed. For example: “National Merit Commended Student” needs no explanation, but “Excellence in Research” might need “top science research award at school.” Avoid full sentences, extra adjectives, or trying to make the award sound bigger than it is.

Be accurate about the level. If you won first place at a regional science fair, the level is regional even if the fair led to a state competition later. If an award came through your school but students statewide were eligible, then state may be appropriate. The goal is to reflect who you were competing against, not just where you received the certificate.

For club recognition, include it only if it was an actual honor, not just membership or leadership. “Debate Team Most Outstanding Novice, school level” works. “Treasurer, Model UN” belongs in activities, not awards.

Use your five slots for the strongest and most recognizable honors first. Prioritize awards that are selective, recent, sustained over multiple years, or connected to your academic strengths. If you have more than five, you can sometimes mention additional honors in the Education or Additional Information sections only if they add real value.

If an award was earned in multiple years, mark all applicable grades. If the title is long, shorten it carefully without changing its meaning. Consistency matters, so try to use the same structure for every entry.