The “Honors” section on the Common Application provides a dedicated space to highlight significant academic and extracurricular achievements. This includes, but is not limited to, Dean’s List recognitions, honor society memberships (e.g., Phi Beta Kappa), awards won in competitions (science fairs, debate tournaments, writing contests), scholarships received for academic merit, and any other distinctions that showcase exceptional performance and talent. Each entry should include the name of the honor, the granting organization, and the year received.
Successfully completing this section allows applicants to showcase accomplishments beyond grades and test scores, adding depth to the overall application. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence, highlighting areas where the applicant has exceeded expectations and distinguished oneself from peers. Historically, universities have utilized this section to gain a clearer understanding of an applicant’s capabilities and potential contributions to the academic community, alongside character values.