Hello fellow students, I'm facing some trouble trying to fit the descriptions of my extracurricular activities within the Common App's character limit. How do you guys write concise yet impactful descriptions for your activities on the Common App?
Hey there! It's great that you're putting thought into how to best craft your extracurricular activity descriptions. Yes, the 150-character limit on the Common App can certainly feel restricting, but it's key to use action verbs and quantify your impact when possible. Start each description with a strong action verb to immediately convey what you did, follow with any positions of leadership or responsibility, and include numbers to quantify your impact when possible. For instance, instead of saying 'Participated in a food drive,' you might write, 'Organized a community food drive, distributing over 1,000 lbs of food to local families.' This tells the admissions officers what your role was, the scale of the activity, and whom it helped, all in a concise way. Also, don't forget to list any recognitions or achievements related to each activity, as they add to the depth and importance of your participation. Best of luck!
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