The Activities section of the Common App is your opportunity to showcase your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and achievements outside the classroom. Admissions officers look at this section to understand your interests, how you spend your time, and the impact you’ve made in your community. Here’s how to make this section shine and set yourself apart.
Understanding the Activities Section
The Common App allows you to list up to 10 activities. Each entry includes:
- Activity Type: Choose from options like athletics, clubs, work, volunteer work, and more.
- Position/Leadership: Describe your role, such as “Team Captain” or “Volunteer Coordinator.”
- Organization Name: Include the name of the group, team, or organization.
- Description: Briefly explain what you did and the impact you made (150 characters max).
- Participation Details: Indicate the grades (9-12) and hours per week/total weeks per year you were involved.
What to Include in the Activities Section
- Extracurricular Activities
- Clubs, sports teams, or student organizations.
- Example: “Debate Team – Competed at regional and national tournaments, placing in top 10%.”
- Leadership Roles
- Positions where you influenced others or made decisions.
- Example: “Student Council President – Organized school-wide events and represented student body.”
- Community Service
- Volunteer work that reflects your commitment to helping others.
- Example: “Soup Kitchen Volunteer – Served meals to 100+ people weekly and coordinated donation drives.”
- Work Experience
- Part-time jobs or internships that demonstrate responsibility.
- Example: “Barista – Managed customer orders and improved efficiency during peak hours.”
- Creative Pursuits
- Activities like music, art, or theater that highlight your talents.
- Example: “Piano Performer – Played at local recitals and earned top scores at state competitions.”
- Athletics
- Participation in sports teams, whether varsity, club, or recreational.
- Example: “Varsity Soccer – Led team as captain and won state championship.”
- Family Responsibilities
- Caring for siblings, elders, or contributing to household tasks.
- Example: “Caretaker – Provided after-school care for younger siblings and managed household chores.”
- Personal Projects
- Independent initiatives or hobbies with significant impact or growth.
- Example: “Blog Creator – Wrote weekly articles on sustainability, reaching 1,000+ readers.”
How to Stand Out in the Activities Section
- Be Specific
- Use concise and impactful language to describe your role and accomplishments.
- Instead of: “Volunteer at animal shelter,” write: “Animal Shelter Volunteer – Cared for 20+ pets weekly and facilitated 10 adoptions.”
- Highlight Impact
- Focus on measurable outcomes or contributions.
- Example: “Organized charity run, raising $5,000 for local schools.”
- Show Leadership
- Emphasize leadership roles, even informal ones.
- Example: “Led peer tutoring sessions, improving classmates’ test scores by 15%.”
- Demonstrate Consistency
- Activities with long-term involvement show commitment.
- Example: “4 years on Robotics Team – Designed and built award-winning robots for competitions.”
- Diverse Involvement
- Showcase a range of interests and skills.
- Example: Balancing athletics, arts, and community service demonstrates well-roundedness.
- Connect to Your Goals
- Highlight activities that align with your academic or career aspirations.
- Example: “Internship at engineering firm – Learned CAD software and contributed to real-world projects.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overloading Activities
- Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on impactful contributions rather than listing minor roles.
- Generic Descriptions
- Avoid vague terms like “helped” or “participated.” Be precise and specific.
- Exaggeration
- Be honest about your involvement and achievements. Admissions officers value authenticity.
- Ignoring the Word Limit
- Use the 150-character limit wisely to create concise yet descriptive entries.
- Skipping Family Responsibilities
- Don’t overlook significant personal responsibilities that demonstrate maturity and commitment.
Tips for Writing Strong Descriptions
- Start with an Action Verb: Words like “led,” “organized,” “managed,” or “designed” add impact.
- Quantify Your Impact: Use numbers to show scale or results.
- Focus on Results: Highlight achievements, outcomes, or improvements you contributed to.
Example: “Designed 10+ graphics for school newspaper, increasing readership by 20%.”
Final Thoughts
The Activities section of the Common App is a crucial part of your application. By including meaningful experiences, crafting specific and impactful descriptions, and showcasing your leadership and contributions, you can stand out to admissions officers.
For more tips and guidance on perfecting your application, visit commonapps. Start early, be strategic, and let your activities tell the story of your unique journey.