How to neatly arrange my activities section in the Common App?

Okay, so I’m sitting here staring at the activities section in the Common App and wondering how to fill this out. Should I list my activities by the time committed or by importance to me? It’s kinda stressing me out, lol. Any insight from those who’ve been through this would be awesome!

Hey there! No need to stress, this is a common query. The best way to approach the activities section on the Common App is to prioritize your activities by impact and commitment rather than strictly by time. Often, there is overlap there, as spending more time on an activity usually allows for more chances to make an impact, and speaks to a higher level of commitment.

That being said, you should start by listing the activities where you’ve had significant involvement and leadership roles, rather than those you've been involved in the longest. These could be Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities (see CollegeVine's blog for an explanation of activities tiers: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities), such as any state-level sports participation or being the president of a club.

After those, list Tier 3 activities like other leadership positions or team captaincies. Finally, include your Tier 4 activities, which are important but less distinctive, such as general club membership or something you do for a few hours a week just for fun.

Remember, colleges are looking for depth and progression in a few areas of interest rather than a broad but shallow involvement. So, if you have a few activities where you've demonstrated significant growth or impact, those should be at the top, to start strong, and then you can work down towards your other involvements. For example, if you founded a community service initiative that grew over the years, that will carry more weight than a one-semester membership in a club.

Keep it concise, highlight your achievements and responsibilities, and you'll be set. Good luck!