How to Stand Out on the Common App Activities Section With Example

Writing Strategies

Now that you have some insight into how many activities on Common App, what details to include, and the word limits, let’s discuss some strategies to make your writing stand out. 

Strong Verbs

To make your activities section stand out, it's important to use strong and specific verbs. Avoid using vague and generic verbs like "did," "attended," or "participated." Instead, choose verbs that clearly convey your level of involvement and the impact you had in each activity.

For instance, think about the difference between these two descriptions:

1. "I did volunteer work at a local food bank."

2. "I organized and led volunteer shifts at a local food bank, ensuring the efficient distribution of food to the community."

In the first example, the use of the vague verb "did" doesn't provide much detail about the applicant's role or the significance of their contribution. 

In contrast, the second example uses strong verbs like "organized" and "led" to show that the applicant took charge and played a vital role in the volunteer work. It paints a clearer and more compelling picture of their dedication and impact.

By using powerful verbs in your activity descriptions, you can capture the attention of admissions officers and demonstrate your ability to take initiative and make a meaningful difference in your chosen pursuits. This helps showcase your strengths and qualities effectively, making a strong case for your admission to the college or university of your choice.

Avoid Redundancy

Be concise and avoid repeating information already mentioned in other sections, such as your position or leadership role. Focus on providing unique and relevant details in the activity description.

Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, include quantitative information to highlight the scope and impact of your activities. Use numbers to specify how many events you organized, how many people you helped, or how many projects you completed. This adds depth and credibility to your descriptions.

Be Specific and Detailed

When you're completing your Common App extracurriculars, remember to do more than just list your duties. Share specific accomplishments and stories that make your application memorable. For example, if you volunteered at a shelter, talk about serving meals to over 100 homeless individuals and raising $2,000 for improvements. 

Mention any challenges you faced, like a tough sports season, and how they helped you grow. Also, explain why each activity was important to you and how it relates to your passions and goals. This approach will make your application compelling and show your determination and growth, improving your chances of admission.

Avoid "Corporate" Verbs

Steer clear of overly formal or generic verbs that might make your descriptions sound impersonal. While some of these words can be used sparingly, try to infuse your writing with your unique voice and style. Let’s take a look at how to do this:

• Corporate Verb Version: "I supervised a team of volunteers for a local charity organization."
• Infused with Unique Voice and Style: "I led a fantastic group of volunteers at our neighborhood charity. Together, we made a meaningful impact on our community."

In the first version, the use of the corporate verb "supervised" makes the description sound formal and detached. It lacks the personal touch needed to convey the applicant's enthusiasm and dedication.

In the second version, the applicant's unique voice and style come through. They use words like "led," "fantastic group," and "meaningful impact" to add a personal and engaging tone to the description.

This version not only provides a clearer picture of the applicant's role but also reflects their passion and commitment to the activity. It's more likely to resonate with admissions officers and leave a memorable impression.

Think Cohesively

Organize your activities section in a logical order that tells a cohesive story about your high school experiences. Start with your most significant and impactful activities to grab the reader's attention, then follow a chronological or thematic order to showcase your growth and development.

For example, if you were deeply involved in volunteering and leadership roles throughout high school, you might begin by highlighting your role as the president of a community service club, which had a substantial impact on your personal growth. 

Then, you can follow with other volunteer experiences and leadership roles in chronological order to demonstrate how your dedication and responsibilities evolved over time, creating a coherent narrative of your development and commitment to community service. 

This approach allows the reader to understand your journey and the growth you've experienced throughout your high school years.

Use Present Tense for Current Activities

When you talk about what you're currently doing in the activities section, use the present tense. This means you describe your ongoing activities as if they are happening right now. 

For instance, instead of saying something like, "I was the captain of the debate team and won many tournaments," you should say, "I am currently the captain of the debate team and consistently win tournaments."

This choice of tense helps you convey that these activities are happening in the present, and it shows that you're actively involved in them right now. It makes your descriptions more engaging and relevant.

Be Concise and Clear

Given the character limit for each activity description, prioritize clarity and relevance. Eliminate unnecessary words or phrases and focus on delivering essential information that showcases your achievements and contributions.

By following these writing strategies, you can create a compelling activities section that effectively communicates your passion, dedication, and impact in extracurriculars. This section provides a valuable opportunity to enhance your overall college application.

Advanced Strategies

Let's explore some advanced strategies to boost your activities section and give your application that extra edge.

How to Complete Common App Fields

• Activity Type: Choose the appropriate category for each activity. This categorization helps admissions officers understand the nature of your involvement. For example, if you were part of a debate club, select "Debate/Speech" to define the activity clearly.
• Position/Leadership Description: Use descriptive terms to elaborate on your role. Mention any changes in your position over time, if applicable. For example, instead of simply listing "Intern," you can write "Gallery Assistant (9th, 10th), Curatorial Intern (11th)" to showcase advancement.
• Organization Name: Clearly state the organization's name, and if necessary, provide additional context. For example, rather than just "School Newspaper," use "The Falcon, Average High School’s Student Newspaper" to provide clarity.
• Activity Description: Use this space to explain your specific impact or contribution. Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements. For instance, instead of saying, "Worked with a professor on a research project," say, "Conducted university-level research," which highlights your active role.
• Participation Grade Levels: Indicate the grade levels during which you actively participated, even if it extended into the summer. For example, if you attended a summer course between freshman and sophomore years, select "9th" to clarify the timeline.
• Timing of Participation: Specify when you were involved, whether it was during the school year, breaks, or year-round. For example: If you participated in an activity year-round, select "All year" to provide a comprehensive picture.
• Hours Spent Per Week: Estimate the average weekly hours you devoted to each activity. For instance, let's say you're involved in an activity that demands different time commitments, like sports with tournament seasons. In this case, calculate an average that really shows how committed you are.
• Weeks Spent Per Year: Calculate the weeks of participation, considering breaks and variations in activity seasons. For example, when filling out your activity details, make sure you include not only the regular season but also the preseason, tryouts, and any other relevant periods to provide a complete picture of your involvement.
• College Participation: If you intend to keep doing a similar activity in college, simply mark "yes." This signals your commitment to a specific interest or cause. It shows that you're dedicated to continuing your involvement beyond high school.

By applying these strategies, you'll make the most of the activities section. Best of luck! 

Reflect on Personal Growth

When filling out the activities section, don't just list your high school extracurriculars. Use this opportunity to showcase how they've shaped your growth and future aspirations.

Start by reflecting on each activity's impact, emphasizing lessons learned, values nurtured, and skills honed. Share a specific anecdote that highlights personal transformation, adding authenticity to your application.

Connect your experiences to future goals, explaining how these insights will contribute to your college and career success. This shows a clear sense of direction.

Above all, be authentic. Avoid generic statements and clichés. Admissions officers appreciate self-awareness and a genuine understanding of personal growth. Reflecting on your development within your activities adds depth to your application and underscores qualities highly regarded by colleges.

Choose Activities Strategically

When you're choosing the ten activities to include in your Common App, it's essential to think strategically. Consider what makes you unique and sets you apart from other applicants—your "hook." 

For instance, if you're passionate about environmental conservation, focus on activities related to this cause. Look for experiences like leading a school recycling program or participating in a local tree-planting initiative that directly aligns with your passion. 

By doing this, you're not just listing activities; you're crafting a story that showcases your dedication and commitment to something meaningful. This approach helps admissions officers see your genuine interests and sets you apart as a unique applicant.

Prioritize Activities Thoughtfully

When organizing your activities on the Common App, prioritize based on personal importance, not just time spent. This helps showcase your values.

Let's say you're part of a school debate club and a local community service group. Although you invest more time in the debate club, you find greater meaning and satisfaction in your community service work.

In this situation, it's a good idea to prioritize the community service organization on your list. This decision highlights your dedication to making a positive impact on your community and demonstrates your commitment to service and community involvement.