Hi, I'm in the process of filling out the Common App and I'm a bit unsure of how to properly write my activities section. Can anyone share any example descriptions or tips on making the most of that section? I want to make sure I'm presenting my extracurriculars well. Thanks!
Sure, I'd be happy to help you with the Common App activities section! You'll want to be both concise and informative in your descriptions, as you're limited to 150 characters for each activity. The key is to focus on the most significant aspects of your role or accomplishment while using strong action verbs.
Here are a couple of examples for different types of activities:
1. Science Club President:
"Led 30-member club; organized weekly meetings, initiated guest speaker series, raised $1k for research materials."
2. Varsity Basketball Team:
"Starting point guard, 3-year varsity, captain senior year; led team to state quarterfinals, All-Conference selection."
When listing your extracurriculars, make sure to prioritize them in order of importance or your level of commitment. It's essential to highlight activities that demonstrate your leadership, impact, and dedication.
Here are a few general tips for writing your activity descriptions:
1. Start with action verbs: This helps create clear and concise descriptions of your role or accomplishments.
2. Quantify your impact: Whenever possible, include numbers to provide context and illustrate the reach or significance of your work.
3. Abbreviate thoughtfully: Due to character limits, you may need to use abbreviations, but ensure that they're commonly used and understood.
4. Highlight your role: Be sure to emphasize your specific responsibilities and any leadership positions you've held.
5. Be accurate and honest: It's essential to give an accurate representation of your involvement and achievements, without exaggeration.
Hopefully these examples and tips will give you a good starting point for crafting your own activity descriptions. Best of luck with your Common App!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.