Applying to college is an exciting time full of opportunities and challenges. A critical part of this process involves showcasing your extracurricular activities in a way that highlights your talents, passions, and commitment beyond the classroom. In this post, we’ll explore how to effectively portray these activities in the Common App Activities section, provide tips for writing and advanced strategies, and address frequently asked questions. You’ll also find an example filled out, a comparison with the University of California (UC) activities section, and useful advice on handling various scenarios. By the end, you will be equipped to present your activities confidently and make them shine in your college application.

Part 1: Common App Activities Section Overview

What qualifies as an activity?

The Common App Activities section is designed to capture a wide array of experiences that contribute to your development as a student and a person. It includes both structured activities like sports, clubs, and community service, as well as unstructured activities such as hobbies and family commitments. These activities should reflect your interests and the unique narrative you wish to present to colleges.

Think creatively about what constitutes an activity. An activity does not have to be something with a formal title or role; it can be anything that demonstrates commitment, initiative, or impact. This means activities like reading extensively or creating art in your free time absolutely qualify as worthy of mention.

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

Yes, informal activities can be a vital part of your application. Consider any ongoing pursuits like caring for siblings, aiding family businesses, or engaging in independent learning. These informal activities can sometimes show personal responsibility and initiative more than formal ones.

Present these activities in a way that aligns with your larger story. Describe the skills you’ve developed and the impact they’ve had on your life or community, ensuring that they complement other parts of your application.

How many activities can be listed?

The Common App allows for a maximum of ten activities. However, quality is more important than quantity. Focus on selecting activities that best illustrate your involvement, leadership, growth, and interests.

A strategic approach is to highlight those activities where you have demonstrated significant involvement or leadership. Even if you don’t have ten activities, impactful descriptions of fewer activities can be compelling.

What are the word or character limits for each activity?

The Common App imposes a 150-character limit to describe the activity and your role in it. This concise format requires careful thought to capture the essence of your involvement effectively.

Be direct and specific in your descriptions, using active and dynamic language to convey the scope and significance of your participation.

What other information does Common App collect for each activity?

Beyond the brief description, the Common App also asks for details such as the number of weeks and hours per week devoted to the activity, as well as any leadership roles held. At its core, this data aims to quantify the level of commitment and passion dedicated to each activity.

This additional information gives clarity and context to your involvement, allowing colleges to better understand the breadth and depth of your extracurricular commitments.

Part 2: Writing Strategies

Writing compelling descriptions for your activities is crucial. Start by identifying the core elements of each activity – what you did, your responsibilities, and the impact. Use action verbs and specify your contributions to highlight leadership and initiative.

Remember that admissions officers review thousands of applications, so make your descriptions stand out by being clear and concise. Avoid jargon and provide context for less common activities. Be sure to align these descriptions with your overall application story.

Having others review your descriptions – teachers, mentors, or peers – can provide valuable insights and improve clarity and impact. Aim for precision and punch in each of your entries to leave a lasting impression.

Part 3: Advanced Strategies

Advanced strategies include crafting a narrative that interlinks your varied experiences. Think of your activities as chapters in a story that underline growth and learning journeys. Highlight progression and the skills you’ve gained over time.

Consider thematic links between your activities that reflect core passions like leadership, creativity, or community service. This thematic coherence can help unify your application and give admissions officers a clear sense of who you are.

Lastly, use the additional information section if applicable. This space can provide extra context or insights that strengthen your application narrative without repetition or redundancy.

Part 4: Common App Activities Section Example

As an example, consider a student involved in a community garden project: “Founder, 5 hrs/wk, 40 wks/yr: Initiated project, led a team of 15; organized fundraising events, increased community participation by 30%.” This succinctly conveys leadership, initiative, and measurable impact.

In crafting examples, focus on impact, utilizing numbers and specific achievements to ground your descriptions in tangible outcomes. This enhances credibility and vividly depicts your contributions.

Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions

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

While the Common App focuses on brevity with its character limit, the UC application allows for more detailed descriptions with up to 350 characters, offering more space to elaborate on responsibilities and achievements.

Both sections, however, aim to encapsulate extracurricular engagement and commitment, emphasizing the quality and relevance of activities rather than quantity.

How should summer jobs and activities be listed?

Summer jobs and activities are important aspects of personal responsibility and skill development. List them as you would any other activity, clearly indicating the time period and your role.

Include relevant skills and any notable accomplishments, ensuring these entries align with your broader application narrative and illustrate growth and initiative.

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

In such scenarios, it’s best to average out the time commitment over the year, indicating any significant changes in your responsibilities or time investment in the description.

This strategy ensures consistency in reporting and provides a clear picture of engagement across different time periods.

What counts towards the time spent on an activity?

Time spent includes all aspects of participation – planning, meetings, practice, travel, and direct involvement. Be honest and precise when calculating this to reflect true commitment.

Colleges appreciate an accurate portrayal of your investment in activities, so focus more on regular engagement rather than inflating hours.

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

Select the closest match available and use the short description to clarify the activity’s nature and impact. Highlight the unique aspects that make it significant to you.

Employ creativity in listing, ensuring that even unconventional or novel activities are effectively communicated within the limits provided.

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

Not at all. Admissions officers value quality over quantity. A focused list showcasing substantial involvement, leadership, and personal growth is more compelling than a longer, less meaningful list.

Focus on impactful activities that resonate with your personal narrative and demonstrate your unique qualities and potential.

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

Approximations are acceptable. Use general timeframes or school year designations to provide context while ensuring the accuracy of information.

Maintain consistency in reporting, and focus on the quality of engagement rather than precise dates.

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

Commitments at home are legitimate activities that reflect responsibility and dedication. Clearly articulate your role and impact in these family-related duties.

This valuable experience illustrates important life skills and personal growth, which admissions officers value highly.

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

Honors and awards have a separate section in the application. However, if an award relates directly to an activity, mention it briefly within the activity description to provide context.

This dual mention can reinforce your achievements and highlight the significance of the activity in your personal journey.

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

The additional information section is an opportunity to elaborate on significant achievements or complexities associated with an activity.

This allows you to paint a fuller picture where 150 characters may not suffice, ensuring that your contributions are adequately represented.

Can I use abbreviations?

Yes, abbreviations can be used to maximize limited space. However, ensure they are commonly recognized or clearly explained within the context of your application.

This practice helps save space while maintaining clarity and ensuring that admissions officers understand the activity’s nature and scope.

Does the Common App Activities section count spaces?

Yes, spaces are included in the character limit, so it is essential to write concisely. Shortened phrases and strategic language choices become critical when maximizing impact within constraints.

These constraints encourage precision in communication, pushing applicants to convey information compellingly and succinctly.

Dr. Shemmassian

Leveraging expert advice from specialists like Dr. Shemmassian can provide invaluable insights into optimizing your activities list. Tailor advice to fit your unique story, ensuring that your application stands out.

Consider utilizing expert-guided resources and templates to strategically position your activities within your application narrative.

Learn How to Share Your Accomplishments in a Way That Shines, Plus a Common App Activities Section Example

This guide aims to empower you in highlighting your accomplishments distinctly and memorably. The example format provides clarity on executing the activities section succinctly.

Devote time to crafting entries that authentically represent your journey, ensuring each activity contributes to the larger tapestry of your application.

Over 90% of Our Students Get into One or More of Their Top 3 Schools

Choosing to emphasize individual strengths and strategic application planning often leads to greater success in admissions. By focusing on crafting thoughtful, unique narratives, many students achieve entry into their preferred institutions.

Dedication to telling your story effectively can differentiate your application, healthcare most rewarding outcomes with persistence and creativity.

College Essay Guy’s Epic List of Activities List Verbs

Utilizing a variety of active verbs in your activity descriptions injects energy and precision, bringing your experiences to life. College Essay Guy offers an extensive list to enhance your descriptions.

Select verbs that resonate with your specific activities, highlighting leadership, initiative, and impact in dynamic ways to capture admissions officers’ attention.

Future Prospects