Master Your Common App Honors Section
The Honors section showcases your academic achievements, awards, and recognition that demonstrate excellence and leadership.
Learn exactly what qualifies, how to format entries effectively, and avoid common mistakes that weaken your application.
Step-by-step guidance • 50+ examples • Formatting templates • Expert tips
What Are Honors on the Common App?
The Honors section allows you to list up to 5 awards, honors, or recognition you've received related to your academic achievements. This section helps admissions officers understand your accomplishments beyond grades and test scores.
What Qualifies as an Honor?
- • Academic recognition (Honor Roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar)
- • Competition awards (Science fairs, debate tournaments, math competitions)
- • Merit-based scholarships and grants
- • Leadership recognition and awards
- • Community service honors
- • Creative arts awards and recognition
- • Athletic honors with academic components
What Doesn't Qualify
- • Participation certificates or ribbons
- • Generic awards given to all participants
- • Social or popularity-based recognition
- • Attendance awards
- • Non-competitive recognition
Levels of Recognition
International
Global competitions and recognition
National
Country-wide honors and awards
State/Regional
State or multi-state recognition
Local/School
Community or school-level honors
Types of Honors & Examples
Understanding different categories of honors helps you identify what qualifies and how to present your achievements effectively. Here are the main types with specific examples.
Academic Honors
Recognition for academic excellence and achievement
National Honor Society
School/NationalMembership based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character
Tip: Specify if you held a leadership position (President, VP, etc.)
AP Scholar with Distinction
NationalScored 3+ on 5+ AP exams with average score of 3.5+
Tip: Include specific number of AP exams and average score if impressive
Honor Roll
SchoolConsistent high academic performance
Tip: Specify 'High Honor Roll' or GPA requirement if available
Valedictorian/Salutatorian
SchoolTop academic rank in graduating class
Tip: Include class size for context (e.g., 'Valedictorian of 450 students')
National Merit Scholar
NationalTop 1% of PSAT test-takers nationwide
Tip: Specify Semifinalist, Finalist, or Scholar status
Presidential Scholar Candidate
NationalRecognition of academic excellence and leadership
Tip: One of the highest academic honors for high school seniors
Competition Awards
Recognition from academic and extracurricular competitions
Science Fair - 1st Place
State/Regional/NationalTop placement in scientific research competition
Tip: Include the specific competition name and research topic
Math Olympiad Medal
State/NationalHigh performance in mathematics competition
Tip: Specify medal type (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and competition level
Debate Tournament Champion
Regional/StateFirst place in formal debate competition
Tip: Include tournament name and debate format if prestigious
Model UN Outstanding Delegate
Regional/NationalTop performance in Model United Nations conference
Tip: Mention the committee represented and conference size
DECA International Finalist
InternationalTop performance in business competition
Tip: Include specific event category and placement
Academic Decathlon Medal
State/NationalHigh score in interdisciplinary academic competition
Tip: Specify subject area and medal type if applicable
Leadership & Service
Awards recognizing leadership abilities and community impact
Student of the Year
School/DistrictOverall excellence in academics, leadership, and character
Tip: Explain selection criteria if it's highly competitive
Community Service Award
Local/RegionalRecognition for significant volunteer contributions
Tip: Include hours served or specific impact if quantifiable
Youth Leadership Award
Local/StateRecognition for outstanding leadership in community
Tip: Mention the organization giving the award and selection process
Eagle Scout/Gold Award
NationalHighest achievement in Scouting programs
Tip: Highlight the leadership project and impact on community
Kiwanis Student of the Month
LocalRecognition by local service organization
Tip: Mention criteria like academics, leadership, and service
Congressional Award Gold Medal
NationalRecognition for volunteer service, personal development, and physical fitness
Tip: Specify hours of service and achievement areas
Creative Arts & Specialized
Recognition in creative fields and specialized areas
Scholastic Art & Writing Award
Regional/NationalRecognition for creative writing or visual arts
Tip: Specify Gold Key, Silver Key, or Honorable Mention
All-State Orchestra/Band
StateSelection for state-level musical ensemble
Tip: Include instrument and audition competitiveness
Journalism Press Award
State/NationalRecognition for excellence in student journalism
Tip: Mention specific category (news writing, photography, etc.)
National YoungArts Winner
NationalRecognition in visual, literary, or performing arts
Tip: Include specific artistic discipline and award level
Student Filmmaker Award
Regional/NationalRecognition for video production and storytelling
Tip: Mention film festival name and competition size
Poetry Contest Winner
Local/State/NationalRecognition for creative writing in poetry
Tip: Include contest name and selection criteria
How to Fill Out the Honors Section
Each honor entry has specific fields that need to be completed strategically. Here's how to maximize the impact of each entry.
Honor/Award Title
The official name of the honor or award
Best Practices:
- • Use the exact official title as it appears on certificates
- • Capitalize properly according to standard title case rules
- • Include level if part of official name (e.g., 'AP Scholar with Distinction')
- • Avoid abbreviations unless they're widely recognized (NHS is OK, but spell out obscure ones)
- • Be specific - 'Science Fair Winner' vs 'Regional Science Fair 1st Place'
Example:
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist (not just 'Merit Scholar')
Level of Recognition
The scope of the competition or recognition
Best Practices:
- • Be completely honest and accurate - admissions officers verify prestigious awards
- • Choose the highest applicable level that's truthful
- • Progression: School/Local → Regional/State → National → International
- • When in doubt between two levels, choose the more conservative option
- • Consider the actual competition pool, not just the organization's reach
Example:
National (for National Merit) or State (for state-level science fair)
Grade Level(s)
When you received the honor or when the qualifying achievement occurred
Best Practices:
- • Select all applicable grades if it's an ongoing honor (like Honor Roll)
- • For one-time awards, select the specific grade when you received it
- • Consider when the achievement period was, not just when it was announced
- • For competitions, use the grade level when you competed, not when results came out
- • If you received the same honor multiple years, select all relevant grades
Example:
Grade 11, 12 (for sustained Honor Roll) or Grade 11 only (for specific competition)
Description
Brief explanation of the honor (up to 100 characters)
Best Practices:
- • Be concise but informative - every character counts
- • Include selection criteria or competitiveness when space allows
- • Quantify achievements when possible (class rank, number of recipients, percentage)
- • Highlight what makes it significant or difficult to achieve
- • Start with the most impressive detail first
- • Use specific numbers over vague terms ('Top 5%' vs 'high achiever')
Example:
Top 1% of PSAT test-takers nationwide; 16,000 semifinalists from 1.5M entrants
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common pitfalls that can weaken your honors section and hurt your application's impact.
❌ Including Participation Awards
Shows lack of distinction and wastes valuable space
✅ Better Approach
Only include honors that recognize achievement, excellence, or competitive success
Example
❌ 'Perfect Attendance Award' or 'Participation Certificate' → ✅ 'Student of the Month' or 'Academic Excellence Award'
❌ Being Too Vague in Descriptions
Admissions officers can't assess the significance or competitiveness
✅ Better Approach
Provide specific context about selection criteria, competition size, and achievement standards
Example
❌ 'Science Award' → ✅ 'Regional Science Fair 2nd Place - Environmental Science (200+ participants)'
❌ Choosing Wrong Level of Recognition
Undermines credibility and can be easily fact-checked
✅ Better Approach
Research the actual scope of your awards and be conservative when uncertain
Example
❌ Listing school honor roll as 'National' → ✅ Correctly listing as 'School' level
❌ Trying to Fill All 5 Slots
Dilutes the impact of truly significant honors with weak entries
✅ Better Approach
Prioritize quality over quantity - better to have 3 strong honors than 5 mediocre ones
Example
❌ Listing 5 minor certificates and participation awards → ✅ 3-4 major competitive honors
❌ Writing Poor Descriptions
Wastes the opportunity to showcase the significance of your achievement
✅ Better Approach
Use specific numbers, percentages, and context to highlight competitiveness
Example
❌ 'Good student award' → ✅ 'Principal's List - Top 5% of class (3.8+ GPA required)'
Strategic Tips for Maximum Impact
Go beyond the basics with these strategic approaches to maximize the impact of your honors section.
Prioritization Strategy
List honors in order of prestige and competitiveness, not chronologically
Prioritize national and international recognition over local achievements
Include honors that align with your intended major or career interests
Balance different types of recognition (academic, leadership, creative, service)
Consider what story your honors tell about your interests and abilities
Place your strongest, most impressive honor first to create immediate impact
Writing Effective Descriptions
Start with the most impressive detail or statistic in your description
Use specific numbers whenever possible (percentages, rankings, participant counts)
Explain why the honor is significant if it's not immediately obvious
Keep descriptions concise while being informative - aim for 60-80 characters
Avoid redundant words and focus on impact-driven language
Consider your audience - admissions officers review thousands of applications
What If You Have Few Honors?
Think broadly about recognition you've received - academic, athletic, creative, service
Include academic achievements like Dean's List equivalent or departmental recognition
Consider merit-based awards, scholarships, or grants you've received
Look at school-specific honors like department awards or teacher recognition
Don't feel pressured to fill all 5 slots with weak entries - quality over quantity
Focus on making your existing honors shine with strong descriptions
Grade Level Strategy
Show progression and consistency when possible (multiple years of Honor Roll)
Recent honors (junior/senior year) may carry more weight as they're more current
Ongoing honors demonstrate sustained excellence rather than one-time achievement
Don't neglect earlier achievements if they're significant or prestigious
Consider the narrative arc - how do your honors show growth over time?
Balance recent achievements with any exceptional earlier recognition
Real Examples by Competitiveness
Highly Competitive (National/International)
These honors significantly strengthen your application and demonstrate exceptional achievement
National Merit Scholarship Finalist - Top 15,000 students nationally from 1.5M+ PSAT test-takers
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist - 1 of 1,800 global finalists from 7M+ participants worldwide
Presidential Scholar Semifinalist - Top 4,500 students nationwide based on academic excellence and leadership
USAMO Qualifier (USA Mathematical Olympiad) - Top 270 students nationally in mathematics competition
Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist - Top 40 high school seniors nationally in STEM research
National YoungArts Winner - Recognition in visual, literary, or performing arts at national level
Congressional Award Gold Medal - 400+ hours community service, personal development, physical fitness
National History Day National Champion - 1st place in national historical research competition
DECA International Career Development Conference Finalist - Top business students globally
International Olympiad Team Member - Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or other subject olympiad
Competitive (State/Regional)
Strong honors that demonstrate excellence and distinction within your state or region
All-State Academic Team - Top 20 students statewide based on academics, leadership, and service
State Science Fair Grand Prize Winner - 1st place among 500+ state participants in research competition
AP Scholar with Distinction - Scored 3+ on 5+ AP exams with average score of 3.5+ nationwide
National Honor Society President - Elected leadership of selective academic honor society
State Debate Championship Winner - 1st place in varsity division at state tournament
Regional Bank of America Student Leader - 1 of 250 students selected nationally for leadership program
State Solo & Ensemble Superior Rating - Top performance in competitive music evaluation
Academic All-State Team (Athletics) - Combined academic and athletic excellence at state level
Governor's Scholar Program Participant - Selective summer academic program for top state students
State Poetry Out Loud Champion - Winner of state-level poetry recitation competition
Good Recognition (School/Local)
Solid honors worth including that demonstrate achievement within your school or community
Valedictorian - Ranked #1 in graduating class of 400+ students with 4.0+ GPA
Principal's Award for Academic Excellence - Top 5% of class with demonstrated leadership component
National Honor Society Member - Selected based on scholarship, service, leadership, and character
High Honor Roll (4 years) - Sustained 3.7+ GPA requirement maintained throughout high school
Local Rotary Student of the Month - Community recognition for outstanding academics and service
Departmental Academic Award - Highest achievement in specific subject area (English, Math, Science)
Student Council President - Elected student body leader demonstrating leadership and service
Bank of America Outstanding Senior - Recognition for academic achievement and community involvement
Salutatorian - Ranked #2 in graduating class demonstrating sustained academic excellence
Perfect SAT/ACT Subject Test Score - 800 on SAT Subject Test or 36 on ACT section
Complete Your Common App Strategy
The honors section is just one part of a strong Common App. Master every section to maximize your admission chances.