How can I make the best use of the Common App extracurriculars section with examples?

Okay, so I've got a bunch of extracurriculars, but I'm really not sure how to put them down in the Common App in a way that makes them 'pop'. Anyone willing to share how they chose which activities to include or how they described them? Also, if you have an example of how you formatted yours that would be super helpful!

Absolutely, prioritizing and describing your extracurriculars effectively on the Common App is key! You have space for 10 activities, but focus on quality over quantity. Start with your most impressive or involved activities—preferably Tier 1 or 2—and work your way down to Tier 3 and 4. For more on the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities/

Use strong action verbs and quantify your impact when possible. For example, instead of 'member of math club,' you could say 'Led a team of 5 students at national math competitions, advancing to finals & improving our previous year's ranking by 3 places.' This showcases leadership and tangible success.

Remember to paint a picture of your responsibilities and achievements, rather than just listing a title. If you started a club, explain how it grew under your leadership, the number of members involved, or the scale of events you organized. It's also valuable to mention if you've earned recognition or awards through these activities.

If you're still unsure about formatting, the Common App provides a structured section where you put the name of the activity, your position/leadership role, a description, and the time commitment. Stick to this format but infuse personality and specifics into your descriptions. They should be concise but compelling enough to give admissions officers a clear and memorable understanding of what you did and why it matters. Good luck!