Common App Honors Worksheet

Admissions officers don't just want to see a list of awards. They want to understand your academic achievements, recognition, and the accomplishments that help distinguish you from other applicants.

This toolkit will help you identify your strongest honors and present them in a way that adds value to your application.

Inside this step-by-step worksheet packet, you'll learn how to:

• Brainstorm every honor, award, and recognition you've earned throughout high school
• Determine what actually belongs in the Common App Honors section
• Decide which five honors deserve a spot on your application
• Understand the different recognition levels (school, local, state, national, and international)
• Write concise 100-character honor descriptions that maximize every character
• Highlight the significance of your achievements without wasting valuable space
• Avoid the most common mistakes students make when listing honors

Perfect for students applying through the Common App, this worksheet walks you through the exact process used by college admissions consultants to create stronger Honors sections.

Whether you've earned academic awards, competition placements, scholarships, AP or subject-specific recognition, honor societies, leadership awards, or other distinctions, this toolkit will help you present your accomplishments with confidence.

Stop wondering what counts. Start showcasing the achievements that make you stand out.

Hi, I'm Elena Wollborg, founder of The Next 4. With 25 years of experience as a high school marketing educator and DECA advisor, I launched The Next 4 College Coaching to help students navigate the college application process with confidence. Through the Class of 2026 application cycle, I helped students gain admission to top colleges and business programs across the country, including the University of Michigan, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Michigan State University Broad College of Business, the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business, and many other outstanding colleges.

For questions, please visit thenext4collegecoaching.com or call 248-736-7775.