Hey everyone, I'm a little stressed about the Common App activity section and want to make sure I put my best foot forward when describing my extracurriculars. Do you have any tips or advice on how to approach this section? Thanks a lot!
Hey there! No need to stress—I'm here to help you with the Common App activity section. Here are some tips to make sure you present your extracurriculars in the best light:
1. Prioritize your activities: List your activities in order of importance to you, starting with the most significant. This will show admissions officers which activities you're most passionate about and have devoted the most time and energy to.
2. Be specific with details: When describing each activity, aim to include specifics that highlight your level of involvement, leadership, or achievements. For example, if you were the captain of the soccer team, mention the number of years you were captain, any awards the team won, or positive changes you made during your leadership.
3. Focus on impact: Demonstrate the impact your participation had on the organization, community, or others. Emphasize any accomplishments or outcomes that may have resulted from your involvement.
4. Use concise language: You'll have a character limit (150 characters) when describing your extracurriculars, so make sure to use concise and clear language. Avoid using complete sentences if possible; instead, use phrases or bullet points to save space and convey your message effectively.
5. Avoid jargon and abbreviations: While you may be familiar with acronyms and jargon related to your activities, admissions officers may not be. Spell out any abbreviations and be mindful of using terms that might be specific to your school or region.
6. Quantify when possible: Whenever you can, use numbers to help illustrate your involvement or achievements. This can include hours per week, number of participants, percentage increase in membership, funds raised, etc.
7. Highlight leadership and initiative: Admissions officers look for students who show leadership and initiative. Make sure to emphasize any instances where you took the lead or created something new within your activities.
8. Don't forget the "Additional Information" section: If you feel that you couldn't elaborate on a specific activity or accomplishment in the activity section, you can use the "Additional Information" section to provide more context or further explain your involvement.
Remember, quality over quantity is key, so focus on presenting your most significant extracurriculars in a clear and impactful manner. Good luck with your application!
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