ACADEMIC HONORS
The Academic Honors section of the Common App asked students to report any academic accolades, merits, or honors they had achieved over the course of their high school experience. Examples of these include National Merit Society, Valedictorian, Cum laude, etc.
Summary & Analysis of Changes
Like most of the Common App, over the years the Academic Honors section became much more tailored to the individual applicant and more accommodating of diverse applicants. In 2008-2009, Common App began requiring more information about the grade levels at which awards were won and the level of recognition in the awards. In 2018-2019, the Academic Honors section itself became optional.
​
Again, we see Common App trying to open up educational opportunities to less privileged students. Indeed, by 2018-2019, the composition of the Common App member institutions had grown to 69% of less selective schools (schools with an acceptance rate of >50%) and only 19% of more selective schools (schools with an acceptance rate of <50%). It suggests that a majority of the applications the organization was receiving were students who were applying to less selective schools, possibly with fewer academic honors to report. More selective schools maintained an emphasis on higher level accolades while less selective schools that didn’t place the same weight on honors were drawn to the App.
Timeline
2007-2008
In the 2007-2008 application the “Academic Honors” section was very brief. It stated, “Briefly list or describe any scholastic distinctions or honors you have won since the ninth grade (e.g. National Merit, Cum Laude Society).” There were three blank lines beneath these directions for the applicant to fill in their honors.
2008-2009
In the 2008-2009 application the Academic Honors section began to be more specific. Four lines were given instead of three for the applicant to list their honors. The directions were changed to “Briefly list any academic distinctions or honors you have received since the 9th grade or international equivalent” and the applicant was instructed to check off which grade (or postgraduate) they received this honor as well as the level of recognition; i.e. School, State/Regional, National, or International.
2018-2019
In the 2018-2019 application the Academic Honors section became optional.
2020-2021
In the 2020-2021 application the directions specified the honors as “academic” achievements in place of simply “distinctions or honors”.
Sources
-
Common App
-
Freeman, Mark, Brian Kim, Preston Magouirk, and Trent Kajikawa. Rep. Growth and Change: Long-Term Trends in Common App Membership. Common App Data Analytics and Research, 2021.
​
​