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If you’re applying to college, you’re likely familiar with the Common App activities section. But do you know how to fill it out and make it stand out? Read on to learn the ins and outs of this section.
The Common App can be a bit of a puzzle for students and parents. It's the go-to application for over 1,000 colleges and universities in the US. And in 2023, it handled a staggering 7 million applications from 1.25 million students worldwide. Every answer you give in this application can make or break your chances of getting into your dream school.
In this blog, we'll focus on one crucial part of the Common App—the activities section—by going over some examples and smart strategies. So, let's get started on making your activities section stand out and boost your chances of getting into your dream college.
The activities section on the Common App is where you can highlight your extracurricular involvement to make your college application stand out. We'll explain what qualifies as an activity, how to describe them effectively, and answer common questions. Let's take a look at the fundamentals of the activities section.
Any non-academic pursuits or extracurricular activities you've been involved in can be included. This may include clubs, sports, volunteer work, part-time jobs, hobbies, and more.
If you don’t have any extracurriculars, you can still mention personal projects, hobbies, or things you've done outside of school that reflect your interests and commitment. Admissions officers want to see a complete picture of who you are, so share what sets you apart, even if it's not a typical activity.
Yes, informal activities can be included if they hold significance. The Common App values activities that demonstrate self-directed passions and interests, so even if it's not a formal club or organization, it can still be included.
You can list up to ten activities on the Common App. However, the focus should be on quality rather than quantity. It's better to have a few meaningful activities with detailed descriptions than to list many without providing substantial information. So, if you’re wondering how many extracurriculars to have for college, remember that quality trumps quantity.
Each activity description has character limits:
These character limits are relatively short, so it's important to be concise and use precise language.
For each activity, you'll need to provide:
Make sure to provide accurate and detailed information while staying within the character limits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Let's explore some advanced strategies to boost your activities section and give your application that extra edge.
By applying these strategies, you'll make the most of the activities section. Best of luck!
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.
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.
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.
The sequence of activities does have an impact. You should lead with the most important ones because they'll be better remembered by admissions committees.
When deciding on which activities to include, focus on those that truly reflect who you are and what you want for your future. Skip activities that don't contribute to this story. The goal is to create a clear picture of your identity.
If you love science, here's a smart move for your college application: put all your science-related activities in one place. This shows your strong dedication to your passion and makes a more interesting story than mixing them with unrelated stuff. Making your application tell a clear story can really help you catch the eye of college admissions.
Simply put, when filling out the Common App, the order of your activities is crucial. Make sure to highlight the experiences that define who you are and what you aspire to achieve. If you have related activities, consider grouping them together to create a memorable story for the admissions committees. This approach can significantly impact how your application is viewed.
Take a look at these Common App activities examples to gain insights into how to present your own extracurricular involvements on your application.
Let's take a closer look at the Common App activities section through our comprehensive FAQ guide.
Students can list a range of activities on the Common App, including sports, clubs, music groups, volunteer work, academic organizations, part-time jobs, and family caregiving. These activities reflect their interests, commitments, and personal values, offering a comprehensive view of their experiences and achievements.
To describe extracurricular activities on the Common App, begin by selecting the appropriate activity type from the dropdown menu, or choose "other club/activity" if needed. Then, briefly outline the activity's nature, goals, and significance. If you held a leadership position, specify it, along with any notable responsibilities or achievements related to your role.
Model United Nations (Model UN) should be categorized as "Debate/Speech" on the Common App. If you held a position on the executive board, you can select the "other" option and specify your leadership role.
To sum it up, acing the Common App activities section is a key part of your college application. With the tips we've discussed, you have the tools to make your extracurriculars stand out. Use strong words, be specific, and show how you've grown. Choose your activities wisely, prioritize them based on what matters most to you, and organize them in a way that tells a great story about who you are and where you're headed.
The activities section is where you can show your passion, dedication, and impact outside the classroom. Follow these tips and examples, and you'll create a strong activities section that boosts your chances of getting into your dream college. Best of luck with your college applications!
