UC activities section - how to fill it out?

I'm working on my UC application and I'm a bit unsure about how to fill out the activities section. Can anyone give me some advice on how to effectively showcase my extracurriculars and accomplishments?

Filling out the activities section of the UC application effectively is crucial to showcasing your extracurriculars and accomplishments. Here are some tips to help make your activities section stand out:

1. Be selective: You have a limited number of spots to report your activities (max. 20), so prioritize those that demonstrate your unique skills, interests, and commitment. Focus on the activities that are most important to you, where you devoted significant time and effort, and had an impact.

2. Use specific and concise language: Use precise language and action verbs when describing your activities. Keep your descriptions concise, avoiding overly descriptive or generic language, and get straight to the point. For example, instead of writing “I helped my school’s newspaper by writing articles,” write “Contributed 5 articles per semester as a staff writer for school newspaper.”

3. Highlight leadership and impact: Colleges value leadership and your personal impact on an activity. In your descriptions, emphasize any leadership roles you held and quantify the impact of your contributions where possible. For example, "As president of the environmental club, initiated a recycling program that increased recycling by 25% in the school."

4. Don't underestimate non-traditional activities: Unpaid internships, summer research projects, and family responsibilities are equally important and can showcase valuable skills and experiences. If you've spent significant time caring for a family member or have a part-time job, make sure to include those activities as well.

5. Use additional information section wisely: The UC application has an additional information section where you can elaborate on any activity that requires more context or explanation. If you faced challenges or obstacles related to an extracurricular, this is an excellent place to provide that additional insight.

6. Organize your activities strategically: The UC application allows you to order your activities, so consider listing them in order of importance or impact. This will ensure that the admissions readers see your most significant activities upfront.

7. Proofread: Double-check your activities section for any errors, inconsistencies, or unclear language before submitting your application. Having someone else review your activities can help catch any mistakes or provide suggestions for improvement.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling activities section that effectively highlights your accomplishments and demonstrates your commitment to your extracurriculars. Good luck with your UC application!