When applying to college, every word, every space, and every entry counts—especially when it comes to showing off what you’ve achieved. One part of the application that often leaves students second-guessing themselves is the Honors section of the Common App. Should you list your honor roll mentions? Can art awards count? Is AP Scholar a national award, and if it is, where do you even begin with listing it?
If you’re feeling unsure about how to fill out this section—or wondering whether your achievements are “honor-worthy,”—you’re not alone. Whether you’re a straight-A student with multiple accolades or someone who’s just now realizing honor roll counts, this guide is here to help. Let’s walk through how to complete the Common App Honors Section with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
What Is the Common App Honors Section?
The Common App Honors section is a small but mighty space where you can list up to five academic honors, awards, or recognitions you’ve received in high school. Each entry has a 100-character limit, so you’ll need to be both strategic and concise. You’ll be asked to provide:
- The name of the honor
- A short description
- The level of recognition (school, state, national, or international)
- The grade level(s) in which it was received
While it might seem like just another form to fill out, this section can boost your application by showing your dedication and achievements, especially when backed by context and thoughtful description.
What Qualifies as an Academic Honor?
There’s often confusion about what counts as an “honor.” And one of the most common questions students ask is: Is AP Scholar a national award? The answer is yes—it is. The College Board grants this recognition to students who excel on AP exams, and because it’s given out at a national level, it deserves a spot in this section.
But don’t worry if you don’t have nationally recognized titles. The Common App allows for a range of honors to be included:
- School-level recognitions like Honor Roll, Student of the Month, or departmental awards
- State or regional awards, such as winning your district’s science fair or placing in a debate competition
- National achievements like AP Scholar (yes, again, is AP Scholar a national award—absolutely), National Merit Semifinalist, or Scholastic Art & Writing medals
- International accolades, like results from international math or language competitions
As long as the recognition is tied to academics or character, it likely qualifies.
Choosing the Right Honors to Include
A student once said, “I didn’t think Honor Roll counted. I almost skipped the section.” Don’t make that mistake.
You don’t need a Pulitzer Prize to fill this out effectively. List the honors that best reflect your academic story and strengths. If you’re going into biology, lead with your Science Olympiad awards. Interested in political science? That debate championship deserves the spotlight.
And yes, is AP Scholar a national award? It is, and it’s especially important to include if you’re applying to competitive or selective colleges. It signals strong academic potential in rigorous coursework.
When choosing which honors to list, consider:
- Prestige: National or international honors first
- Relevance: Does the honor relate to your major or goals?
- Uniqueness: Does this stand out from the rest of your application?
Even if your most impressive award happened in 10th grade, if it aligns with your plans, place it near the top.
How to Write Strong Descriptions in 100 Characters
The Common App doesn’t give you much room to explain. One hundred characters go fast. The trick is to be informative and efficient.
Let’s say you won 1st place in your state’s Model UN competition. A weak entry might read:
“Won Model UN award”
A stronger version would be:
“1st place, Model UN State Conf., Best Delegate for Crisis Committee (Gr. 11)”
Notice how the second version provides context, performance level, and grade—all while staying within the character limit.
For AP Scholar, your entry could look like:
“AP Scholar (College Board), scores 3+ on 3+ AP exams, awarded Gr. 11”
This answers the question directly—is AP Scholar a national award—and backs it with detail.
If the award is local or school-based, offer a quick explanation of what it means, especially if the name isn’t self-explanatory.
Should You Use Abbreviations?
Abbreviations can save space, but use them wisely. For well-known honors like AP Scholar, AMC (American Mathematics Competitions), or NHS (National Honor Society), it’s fine to abbreviate. But steer clear of using shorthand for less familiar awards.
For example:
Bad: “1st, MCVORC, Best Solo”
Better: “1st place, County Vocal/Orchestral Comp, Violin Solo (Gr. 10)”
Admissions officers don’t have time to guess. Help them understand quickly.
How to Rank and Order Your Honors
The order in which you list your honors matters more than you think. Your first entry should pack the biggest punch. A good strategy is to go from the most prestigious to the most common.
Let’s look at a sample order:
- National Merit Semifinalist (National)
- AP Scholar (National)
- State Science Fair 2nd Place (State)
- NHS Member (School/National)
- Honor Roll, Gr. 9–12 (School)
Again, yes—is AP Scholar a national award? Definitely. So it deserves a spot high on the list, especially if you don’t have many other national honors.
You should also consider the recency of the award. A national award in 11th grade may carry more weight than a school award in 9th grade.
What If You Don’t Have Five Honors?
It’s okay. Don’t stress. The section isn’t mandatory, but it’s valuable if done right.
Think about recognitions you may have overlooked, such as:
- Academic subject awards (e.g., Best in English Lit)
- Principal’s List or Honor Roll
- Department honors (Math, Science, etc.)
- School-wide leadership awards
- Character-based recognitions (e.g., “Integrity Award”)
Even if you only have one or two, listing them shows initiative and effort. Just don’t leave the section blank if you have anything remotely valid. Even the Honor Roll tells colleges you’ve been consistent.
What If You Have More Than Five Honors?
Lucky you! But you’ll need to prioritize.
Pick the five most impressive, relevant, and recent awards. The rest? Use the Additional Information section, but sparingly. Add only those you truly believe admissions officers should see. If they’re too minor or similar to your top five, leave them out.
Avoid listing anything before 9th grade or anything that doesn’t add meaningful value to your application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s surprisingly easy to get this section wrong. Here’s what not to do:
- Leaving it blank even when you have valid honors
- Using acronyms no one recognizes
- Failing to explain lesser-known awards
- Repeating content from the Activities section without adding detail
- Listing middle school honors (they don’t count)
Always ask yourself: Would an admissions officer understand this and care about it?
Final Tips to Make the Section Shine
- Start early. Keep a list of awards from 9th grade onward
- Keep it simple, but meaningful. Avoid fluff
- Use strong formatting. Name, accomplishment, grade level
- Tailor your honors. Align them with your intended college major
And remember: Is AP Scholar a national award? Absolutely, yes. And if you earned it, you should 100% include it.
FAQs About the Common App Honors Section
Should I include AP Scholar in the Common App honors section?
Yes! Is AP Scholar a national award? It is, and it shows academic strength across multiple subjects.
Can I include local or school-specific honors?
Yes, but explain what they mean. Provide context if they aren’t nationally recognized.
What if I have no major awards?
Use what you have. Honor Roll, NHS, and subject awards still count.
Can I abbreviate long award names?
Only if the award is widely known (e.g., AP Scholar, NHS). Otherwise, spell it out or simplify smartly.
Does this section matter if I already have a strong GPA and test scores?
Yes. It adds nuance and shows how your achievements translate into recognition.
Conclusion
The Common App Honors Section is your moment to shine—don’t let it go to waste. Even if your list isn’t packed with international science fair wins, your recognitions matter. From Honor Roll to AP Scholar, each award tells a story of your growth, effort, and potential. And now that you know the answer to the question—is AP Scholar a national award—you can confidently include it where it belongs.
Your application is more than numbers—it’s a snapshot of who you are. Use this section to make that picture even stronger.
