Hey everyone, I'm feeling a bit swamped trying to figure out how to organize my extracurriculars for the activities list on my college apps. Any tips on which ones I should prioritize or how to best describe them to make a solid impression?
Hey there! The activities list on your applications is a fantastic way to showcase your passions and how you engage with your community. The key is to emphasize both the depth and breadth of your involvement. Rank your extracurriculars starting with the ones you are most committed to, especially those where you have leadership roles or significant achievements, such as being the captain of a sports team or president of a club (Tier 3), as they demonstrate leadership and commitment. Your Tier 1 and 2 activities are rare honors and positions of high responsibility and should naturally float to the top of your list if you have them.
When describing each activity, be specific about what you did, any results of your participation, and the impact you made. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments if possible—for example, 'Led a team of 12 peers in organizing an annual charity run that raised over $5,000 for local homeless shelters.' Remember, colleges are looking for depth of involvement, so it's not just about listing as many activities as possible, but rather showing a genuine commitment to the ones that truly matter to you.
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