Common App Honors Section: What to Include (And What to Skip) for Maximum Impact

Applying to college through the Common App means you will have to explain more than just your classes and grades. One important part is the Common App Honors Section, where you can list up to five awards or recognitions that show your achievements in academics, activities, service, or leadership.

This section matters because it helps admissions officers quickly see how you stand out from other applicants. Research from the College Board shows that accomplishments outside of courses and test scores play a meaningful role in application reviews. Even local or school-level honors can strengthen your application when chosen and described carefully.

To make the most of this section, you’ll want to understand what counts as an honor, how to prioritize your top achievements, and how to write clear and effective descriptions.

• What Is the Common App Honors Section?
• Types of Honors to Include in the Common App Honors Section
• How to Choose and Prioritize Honors
• Writing Effective 100-Character Descriptions
• Should You Include Non-Academic or Unique Achievements?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them
• Supplementing the Common App Honors Section: Using the Additional Information Area
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the Common App Honors Section?

The Common App Honors Section is where you can list up to five special achievements that highlight your academic, extracurricular, or personal excellence. You’ll find it in the “Education” tab of the Common App, and it gives colleges a quick way to see what sets you apart beyond grades and test scores.

Each honor must be described in under 100 characters, including the award title, the year you received it, and the level of recognition (school, state, national, or international).

Admissions officers look at this section as evidence of your dedication, initiative, and impact. This means even if your GPA or test scores place you in a competitive range, the honors you list can help show what makes you stand out.

Key things to keep in mind:

• You can list up to five honors.
• Academic honors are defined broadly. They can include awards in art, music, writing, leadership, service, or select athletics if tied to character or academics.
• Sports awards based only on performance usually fit better in the Activities section.
• Clear, concise descriptions matter since you only have 100 characters.
• This is not about quantity but about significance and impact.

When used strategically, this small section can make a big difference in helping admissions officers understand your accomplishments and potential.

Types of Honors to Include in the Common App Honors Section

The Common App honors section covers a wide range of achievements, not just straight academic awards. What you include should reflect your interests, strengths, and dedication, even if it’s something outside traditional classroom success. Most colleges care about how you made an impact or went above what was expected.

You can list honors from academic contests, clubs, leadership positions, creative pursuits, community service, and select sports awards (if they show character or academic achievement). Focus on the achievements that mean the most to you, or that required you to be selected over others.

Here are some types of honors you might include:

• Academic awards. National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar, honor roll, department awards, subject competitions, or top class rank.
• Artistic honors. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, music awards, regional theater or band competitions, published work, or exhibition selection.
• Extracurricular achievements. Debate, science fairs, robotics competitions, Model United Nations, or math leagues.
• Service recognitions. Presidential Volunteer Service Award, key community impact, or unique recognition for helping others.
• Leadership or character honors. Student of the Month, NHS officer positions, Scholar Athlete, or special integrity awards.
• Publications. Newspaper articles, poetry published in journals, or research recognized at the state or national level.

It’s smart not to include regular participation or athletic-only awards here unless the achievement ties to academics or character. Athletic awards for pure sports performance usually go in the Activities section instead.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Use this section to spotlight your most meaningful achievements, big or small, if they help readers understand your strengths beyond your grades.

Sample honors for the Common App

To help you decide what to include, here are some practical examples of honors that are a good fit for the Common App Honors Section. These cover academic, artistic, service, subject-specific, and leadership awards, demonstrating the level of recognition for each:

Honors can range from being the highest scorer in a local math competition or earning recognition as student body president, to receiving national or state-level awards in writing, science, or community service. Recognition in the arts or for character, such as being selected for an exhibition or earning a “Scholar Athlete” distinction, can also belong here—provided they highlight qualities colleges value.

Use the level of recognition to show how far your achievement has reached. Local awards are still important, especially when presented with context and clarity.

Levels of recognition

Each honor you list in the Common App Honors Section needs a level of recognition. This shows how far your achievement has reached and helps admissions officers put it in context.

The Common App uses four main levels: school/local, state/regional, national, and international recognition.

It’s important to pick the most accurate level for each award. For example, winning an award at your school or within your city counts as local. If you placed in a state-wide science fair or your work was published in a regional magazine, that counts as state or regional. National awards are competitive across the entire country, and international honors mean you competed or were recognized with students from other countries.

Below is a quick reference to help you decide:

• School/Local. Awards specific to your school, district, or local group.
• State/Regional. Recognition within your state, province, or multi-county area.
• National. Competitive honors awarded across your country.
• International. Achievements recognized by organizations or competitions involving students worldwide.

The level shows the scale and selectivity of your achievements and helps admissions officers interpret the impact of each honor.

How to Choose and Prioritize Honors

When you fill out the Common App Honors Section, you only get five slots to show your best achievements. Choosing the right honors and putting them in the strongest order can make a big difference in how colleges view your application.

Start with honors that are the most selective, competitive, or widely recognized. International or national awards come first, followed by state, regional, and then school/local recognitions. If you have more than five honors, select those that show your uniqueness and match your interests or future goals. Combine repeated achievements, like honor roll every year, into one entry if needed to save space and add impact.

Consider these tips as you build your list:

• Put your most impressive or competitive honors first.
• Combine similar awards across years into a single entry.
• Use all five slots if you have legitimate honors, even if they seem common—schools still want to see them.
• Leave off small participation certificates and minor recognitions.
• Make sure every honor highlights your leadership, initiative, or excellence.

Here’s an example of how to prioritize if you have more than five honors:

Writing Effective 100-Character Descriptions

The way you describe each honor is just as important as what you choose. You only get 100 characters for each entry, so you need to be clear and direct, using strong action verbs and numbers to show your achievement.

For the best results, write brief phrases instead of complete sentences. Highlight what you did, how selective the award was, and use clear language. Avoid abbreviations for lesser-known awards, as the colleges may not recognize them. If an award needs more explanation, be sure to clarify who gave it, how you earned it, or how competitive it was.

Here are some good and bad examples:

Good: “National Merit Semifinalist; Top 1% PSAT score, Grade 11.”

Bad: “Merit award, did well on test.”

Good: “Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Gold Key (2022, 2021); Honorable Mention (2020).”

Bad: “Won art award in high school.”

Other tips to make descriptions more impactful:

• Use numbers to give scale. Example: “Selected 1 of 3 out of 200 students.”
• Combine honors over several years when possible. Example: “Honor Roll, Grades 9–12.”
• Use action verbs. Examples: led, initiated, founded, achieved, directed, improved.

Stronger descriptions help colleges quickly understand the value of each achievement, so use every character wisely.

Should You Include Non-Academic or Unique Achievements?

If you have awards that are a bit outside the box—like leadership recognitions, volunteer honors, publications, or school-based character awards—they can belong in the Common App Honors Section if they demonstrate excellence, selectivity, or impact. Don’t be afraid to include honors that aren’t just about academics, especially if they show personal growth or leadership.

Here are situations where non-academic or unique honors make sense:

• You earned a service award for making a real difference in your community.
• You received recognition for integrity, positive leadership, or outstanding citizenship at school.
• Your writing, art, or research was published or exhibited locally, nationally, or internationally.
• You were selected for a competitive summer program, ambassador role, or special conference.
• You contributed to a project that was recognized at the state, national, or international level.

It’s best to include honors that were competitive or selective—those you had to earn, rather than automatic recognitions. If the name of an award isn’t widely recognized, add enough detail so admissions can understand what it means and why it matters.

Confused about whether an honor “counts”? Ask yourself:

• Did this recognition require you to stand out or be chosen above others?
• Did it highlight a quality colleges care about, like leadership, creativity, or determination?
• Is it formal, or did it come from an established organization, school, or respected community group?

Awards for character and creativity can make a real difference in applications when described clearly and concisely. Even if your achievements are unique, don’t hesitate to list them if they help tell your story.

Common Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them

Students often run into a few common issues when filling out the Common App Honors Section. Avoiding these mistakes can help your application look organized and professional, and make each honor count.

Here’s what to watch out for, and how to make your section stronger:

• Leaving the section blank. Missing out on listing your honors removes a chance to show achievement. Even honors that seem ordinary, like Honor Roll or club officer roles, should be included.
• Wrong category or repeated awards. List each honor in the correct spot, and avoid repeating the same achievement in both the Honors and Activities Sections. Use the Honors Section for formal recognitions, not just participation.
• Listing awards without explanation. If your award isn’t well-known or has a unique name, add a short description or context so admissions officers understand what it means.
• Unclear abbreviations. Spell out or explain awards, groups, or competitions unless they’re widely recognized (like AP or NHS); avoid confusing college readers.
• Too many low-impact honors. Focus on the awards that best show leadership, selectivity, or special accomplishment. Skip minor certificates or automatic recognitions.

If you have fewer than five honors, don’t worry. List what you have, but make each one clear and meaningful. If your honor needs extra explanation, consider adding details in the Additional Information section of your application.

A tidy, well-chosen honors section makes your application stand out and helps admissions officers see your impact quickly.

Supplementing the Common App Honors Section: Using the Additional Information Area

Sometimes an award needs more explanation than the 100-character limit allows, or an accomplishment doesn’t fit perfectly into the honors list. In these cases, you can use the Additional Information Area on the Common App to give extra context or showcase achievements that are important but don’t fit the standard format.

Use this extra section if:

• Your honor is very unique, new, or not widely recognized.
• The award name doesn’t explain what you did or why it matters.
• You had to combine more than one honor or recognition into a single entry.

Be clear and specific in the Additional Information Area. Add a short note, such as “As a winner of the Jake M. Perella Community Service Award, I completed 100+ hours at the local food bank, leading outreach efforts and training new volunteers.” This helps admissions officers see the scale and impact of your achievement.

You can also use this space to mention meaningful group awards, explain eligibility for competitive honors, or cite accomplishments that matter for your major or future goals. Remember to keep your explanation brief and focused.

Other valuable parts of the Common App, like the Activities Section, can highlight things that aren’t official awards but still show your contributions or leadership. The key is to make your story complete, clear, and compelling with the information you share.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I have no national awards?

It’s completely fine to include school-based or local honors. Colleges value dedication and growth, so list what you’ve honestly earned.

2. Is it OK to repeat honors listed elsewhere?

Avoid repeating honors in both the Honors and Activities Sections. Use Honors for formal awards and Activities for roles or participation.

3. Can I list group awards?

Yes, if you played a significant role or the award is highly selective. Include context in your description when possible.

4. What do I do if I have more than five honors?

Select your most meaningful, selective, or impressive honors for the five slots. Mention others in your Additional Information area or highlight them in other parts of your application.

4. How important are the levels?

Very important. The level of recognition shows how broad the competition or impact was, from school/local up to international.

5. Can I edit or update this section later?

You can update your application until you submit it. After submission, changes aren’t possible without contacting colleges directly.

Takeaways

• The Common App Honors Section allows up to five achievements with 100-character descriptions to showcase academic, artistic, service, and leadership awards. This section helps admissions officers quickly see what sets you apart beyond grades and test scores.
• Include diverse achievements like artistic honors, service awards, leadership recognitions, and publications that showcase your unique strengths beyond academics.
• Focus on awards that require selection or competition rather than automatic participation certificates. Even school-level honors can strengthen your application when they demonstrate leadership, character, or academic excellence.
• Use the Additional Information section to provide context for unique or lesser-known awards that need more explanation. This ensures admissions officers understand the significance and impact of your achievements.
• If you need help to strategically showcase your achievements on the Common App Honors section, consider AdmissionSight’s Private Consulting Program. Our expert counselors help students identify their most compelling honors, craft impactful descriptions, and present a cohesive narrative across all application sections.