Congressional Nomination Application Inquiry

Meowspike13

C/O 2026 Applicant
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
85
Good evening! I'm currently filling out my nomination packet for my representative and have a question concerning extracurricular information.

On my nomination packet, I have a section for "Special awards and honors for academic and non-academic activities, with dates. I have awards from elementary school, middle school, high school, and other groups.

Is it appropriate to include my awards/honors before high school (in chronological order)? Thank you!
 
For the most part, I would recommend sticking to high school and above, that's all your nomination source really cares about. They don't want to see every little thing you've done since you could write your name. They want to see what significant achievements you've accomplished during your more recent and relevant high school career. Quality over quantity. However, if you received an award like Eagle Scout in middle school that continues to follow you in high school (and beyond), be sure to put that down. Best of luck!
 
For the most part, I would recommend sticking to high school and above, that's all your nomination source really cares about. They don't want to see every little thing you've done since you could write your name. They want to see what significant achievements you've accomplished during your more recent and relevant high school career. Quality over quantity. However, if you received an award like Eagle Scout in middle school that continues to follow you in high school (and beyond), be sure to put that down. Best of luck!
Thank you for this! I will be sure to put down my Eagle Scout rank and any other major things like that.
 
Good evening! I'm currently filling out my nomination packet for my representative and have a question concerning extracurricular information.

On my nomination packet, I have a section for "Special awards and honors for academic and non-academic activities, with dates. I have awards from elementary school, middle school, high school, and other groups.

Is it appropriate to include my awards/honors before high school (in chronological order)? Thank you!
Yes. Include them. Make copies of them in color (Go to Office Depot for color prints). Provide a set to your college counselor because she will verify your records with admissions. The last thing you want is for your counselor telling admissions that “I cannot verify the awards.” If this happens, then mail a set to admissions so you are covered (check & verify). Also in the application, there are entries for academic honors & awards. List all your awards. After each award, there’s a space for a 50-word description. Don’t just write “superior performance.” For membership like the National Speech & Debate Association, list that too, in ( ) write National Membership. Lastly, if not done already, build your academic resume with all your ECs, academics, and awards. It comes in handy for your congressional, BGO, and plan B/C/D/E college interviews. Hope this helps.
 
Good evening! I'm currently filling out my nomination packet for my representative and have a question concerning extracurricular information.

On my nomination packet, I have a section for "Special awards and honors for academic and non-academic activities, with dates. I have awards from elementary school, middle school, high school, and other groups.

Is it appropriate to include my awards/honors before high school (in chronological order)? Thank you!
For your academy application, your college counselor will only verify your academic awards/honors from 9th-12th grades.
 
Yes. Include them. Make copies of them in color (Go to Office Depot for color prints). Provide a set to your college counselor because she will verify your records with admissions. The last thing you want is for your counselor telling admissions that “I cannot verify the awards.” If this happens, then mail a set to admissions so you are covered (check & verify). Also in the application, there are entries for academic honors & awards. List all your awards. After each award, there’s a space for a 50-word description. Don’t just write “superior performance.” For membership like the National Speech & Debate Association, list that too, in ( ) write National Membership. Lastly, if not done already, build your academic resume with all your ECs, academics, and awards. It comes in handy for your congressional, BGO, and plan B/C/D/E college interviews. Hope this helps.
Thank you for this! So just to make sure that I understand this correctly: Include awards from before and during high school for the congressional nomination application.
 
Thank you for this! So just to make sure that I understand this correctly: Include awards from before and during high school for the congressional nomination application.
As a longtime Congressional interviewer, I'd tell you to use your head and if its something from before High School, it needs to be something non-school related. Things like "Valedictorian of Kindergarten" or "Seventh Grade Citizenship Award" are probably not something to include while "Member of the Junior Olympic Team" or "Eagle Scout" might be.
This past year, I had a candidate who had been on a well known TV show in a recurring role. That was worth putting in the application/resume.
 
As a longtime Congressional interviewer, I'd tell you to use your head and if its something from before High School, it needs to be something non-school related. Things like "Valedictorian of Kindergarten" or "Seventh Grade Citizenship Award" are probably not something to include while "Member of the Junior Olympic Team" or "Eagle Scout" might be.
This past year, I had a candidate who had been on a well known TV show in a recurring role. That was worth putting in the application/resume.
Thank you for the clarification.
 
Unless it is some "one in a million" award from prior to high school (and even then, MAYBE 8th or 7th grade), I would not list anything prior to HS.

Additionally, you still have 3 months or so of school left and a full summer. If there a reason you are contemplating turning this in now as opposed to June prior to seeing what other accomplishments, awards, grades you may receive? Most MOCs, Senators, etc. have a deadline in the fall and a summer turn in is generally fine after the 6th semester grades are posted, spring sport captains are chosen, SA summer program attendees are finalized, etc.

Seems pretty early.
 
Unless it is some "one in a million" award from prior to high school (and even then, MAYBE 8th or 7th grade), I would not list anything prior to HS.

Additionally, you still have 3 months or so of school left and a full summer. If there a reason you are contemplating turning this in now as opposed to June prior to seeing what other accomplishments, awards, grades you may receive? Most MOCs, Senators, etc. have a deadline in the fall and a summer turn in is generally fine after the 6th semester grades are posted, spring sport captains are chosen, SA summer program attendees are finalized, etc.

Seems pretty early.
Thank you for the information.
 
Thank you for this! So just to make sure that I understand this correctly: Include awards from before and during high school for the congressional nomination application.

I‘m pretty sure that Banzaipipeline is being sarcastic. If he’s not, then he is very incorrect.

Stealth_81
 
I‘m pretty sure that Banzaipipeline is being sarcastic. If he’s not, then he is very incorrect.

Stealth_81
Alrighty then, now I know what to do in the future with any information from here. Thank you so much for the input.
 
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