How to List Extracurricular Activities on a College Application

The process of applying to college can seem daunting, especially when it comes to properly showcasing your extracurricular activities. These activities can highlight a student’s passions, commitment, and impact, playing a critical role in giving colleges insight into the student beyond transcripts and test scores. This guide will teach you how to effectively list your accomplishments in the Common App Activities section, complete with strategies and examples to help you stand out. We’ll explore the Common App’s logistics, present tips for engaging writing, and answer frequently asked questions, ensuring you are equipped to navigate this aspect of the college application with confidence.

Learn how to share your accomplishments in a way that shines, plus a Common App Activities section example

College Essay Guy’s Epic List of Activities List Verbs

An impactful activity description starts with strong verbs. Using dynamic and specific verbs can make a significant difference in how your activities are perceived. Instead of saying “helped organize a fundraiser,” try “managed a team to successfully execute a community fundraiser,” which shows leadership and responsibility.

College Essay Guy offers an epic list of verbs that can inspire and elevate your descriptions. Words such as “initiated,” “facilitated,” and “coordinated” are excellent choices to consider. The right verbs highlight skills and responsibilities, helping to paint a vivid picture of your role in the activity and contribute to a more compelling application.

Part 1: Common App Activities section overview

Common App Activities section overview

The Common App Activities section allows students to showcase up to ten extracurricular activities, hobbies, and other engagements outside of the academic curriculum. This section is an integral part of the application because it reflects your interests, commitments, and character to admissions officers.

Crafting this section carefully is crucial as it provides personal insights that grades and test scores do not. Admissions officers are interested in understanding how you spend your time and what matters to you, so it’s essential to present your activities thoughtfully.

What qualifies as an activity?

An activity encompasses a broad range of endeavors such as clubs, teams, work experiences, internships, volunteer work, family responsibilities, and personal projects. The goal is to demonstrate your engagement, initiative, and ability to contribute to the community.

Don’t underestimate everyday activities; they often provide invaluable skills and experiences. Whether it’s a technical hobby or a routine family task, think of the skills and attributes these activities reveal.

Since nearly anything counts as an activity, can my child include activities done on an informal basis?

Yes, informal activities count and can be just as impactful as formal ones. If your child spends time caring for siblings or leading a local book club, these highlight responsibility and initiative, attributes valued by colleges.

When listing informal activities, focus on the skills acquired and the impact made. Elaborate on leadership roles, problem-solving experiences, or community impact as applicable.

How many activities can be listed?

The Common App allows students to list up to ten activities. However, quality trumps quantity. It’s more effective to detail a few significant activities than to list many minor ones.

Each listed activity should contribute meaningfully to your overall narrative and showcase a range of skills and interests.

What are the word or character limits for each activity?

Each activity description is limited to 150 characters, requiring concise and impactful wording. It’s essential to craft descriptions that encapsulate your role, achievements, and the skills demonstrated.

Given the character limit, it’s useful to brainstorm and draft descriptions separately before distilling them to meet the restriction.

What other information does Common App collect for each activity?

In addition to the description, you’ll provide details regarding the activity type, position or leadership held, and participation grade levels. The app also requires hours per week and weeks per year spent on the activity.

This information provides a context for your involvement and commitment, helping colleges gauge your long-term dedication and passion.

Part 2: Writing strategies

Writing strategies

Crafting an effective activities list involves clarity and precision. Use action-oriented language and active verbs to convey dynamism. Concrete details that specify achievements or contributions enhance the quality of descriptions.

Consider using a formula such as “Quantifiable achievement + challenging context + skills learned,” which can concisely communicate your accomplishments and impact. Tailoring your descriptions to highlight growth, achievement, and personal impact is vital.

Part 3: Advanced strategies

Advanced strategies

To truly stand out, go beyond listing roles and focus on the impact and growth derived from the activity. Reflect on how each experience has influenced your goals, values, or career paths, demonstrating depth and personal investment.

Utilize anecdotes or specific examples that illustrate your contribution or leadership. Personal narratives or insights can enrich your descriptions, making them memorable to admissions officers.

Part 4: Common App Activities section example

Common App Activities section example

Here’s a sample activity description that incorporates the strategies discussed: “Orchestra Leader: Directed weekly rehearsals for 15-member school orchestra, leading to a first-place finish at state competition; polished my leadership and organizational skills.”

This description succinctly captures the individual’s leadership role, the scale and impact of the task, and the skills honed—a formula you can adapt to your unique experiences.

Part 5: Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How does the Common App Activities section differ from the University of California (UC) Activities section?

The Common App Activities section limits entries to ten, with concise descriptions. The UC application allows more activities and requires longer descriptions, focusing on involvement and achievements in greater detail.

How should summer jobs and activities be listed?

Summer jobs provide valuable experience and should be included. Use the same approach as for other activities: highlight the skills gained and responsibilities undertaken, emphasizing any leadership or growth areas.

What if my child spends different amounts of time on an activity during the school year vs. over the summer?

Specify the average hours per week and weeks per year, combining both timeframes. If significantly different, clarify this in the activity description to provide accurate representation of involvement.

What counts towards the time spent on an activity?

Include any time actively participating, preparing, traveling, or developing skills for the activity. Be honest and realistic in your estimation, ensuring it reflects your genuine commitment.

What should my child do if their activity type is not listed in the drop-down menu?

If an exact category isn’t available, select the closest relevant option. Beyond the selection, the description will convey the precise nature and context of the activity.

Is it a problem if my child has fewer than 10 activities to list?

Not at all. Quality and depth matter more. Admissions officers appreciate thorough engagement over mere quantity. Focus on aptly describing impactful experiences.

What if my child doesn’t remember the exact dates or timeframe for an activity?

Estimate the timeframe as accurately as possible. Focus on conveying continuity and dedication rather than perfect precision. Even approximate dates help establish commitment.

What if my child has fewer activities because they spend a significant amount of time helping out at home?

Responsibilities at home are significant and should be included. Describe the nature of contributions to highlight skills like time management and caregiving, which can underscore maturity and dedication.

Should my child list their honors and awards in the Activities section?

Honors and awards have their own separate section in the Common App. However, relevant awards directly linked to an activity could be included in the description to emphasize achievement and dedication.

How can my child explain major achievements or significant effort devoted to an activity that can’t be covered in 150 characters?

Supplement the activities section with the additional information section or mention it in the personal essay. Reserve the 150 characters for concise, impactful statements about the activity itself.

Can I use abbreviations?

Yes, but maintain clarity. Abbreviations should be universally understood or clearly defined earlier in the application. Avoid unconventional abbreviations that may confuse reviewers.

Does the Common App Activities section count spaces?

Yes, spaces are counted toward the 150-character limit. Use them judiciously, ensuring every character contributes to a meaningful and engaging description.

Over 90% of our students get into one or more of their top 3 schools

Dr. Shemmassian

Dr. Shemmassian Academic Consulting has helped countless students secure offers from their dream schools by guiding them in the art of crafting standout applications.

The success rate speaks to the effectiveness of expertise in addressing each aspect of the application process, from personal essays to extracurricular activities—which significantly enhance an applicant’s profile.

Lessons learned

Section	Key Points
Introduction	Effective strategies for showcasing extracurricular activities on college applications.
Verbs for Activities	Use dynamic verbs to enhance descriptions and highlight skills.
Activities Overview	Qualify and quantify activities, focusing on impact and skills.
Writing Strategies	Use action verbs and concise language; focus on achievements.
Advanced Strategies	Highlight impact and personal growth; use specific examples.
Examples	Crafting descriptive and impactful activity entries.
FAQs	Address common concerns, including activity type and workload.
Success Stories	Highlighting Dr. Shemmassian’s consulting success.