What to Include in Your Common Application Activities Section
The Common Application activities section is a critical part of your college application, allowing you to showcase your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and other significant activities. Crafting a well-rounded and meaningful profile can make a significant difference in your application. Below are some suggestions on what and how to include in this section.
Categories of Activities
The activities section is a versatile space where you can list a wide range of experiences that demonstrate your personality, skills, and character. Here are some key categories to consider:
Clubs and Organizations
School Clubs: In addition to student government and debate club, consider clubs like coding clubs, chess clubs, or drama clubs. Community Service Organizations: Volunteer work with local non-profits, food banks, or charities can demonstrate your commitment to making a difference. Cultural or Religious Organizations: Being involved in cultural festivals, religious services, or events organized by student groups can highlight your cultural sensitivity and community engagement.Sports
School Teams: Including both varsity and junior varsity teams can show your dedication to both team and individual sports. Club Sports: Engagement in organized club sports can demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills. Individual Sports: Activities like martial arts, gymnastics, or swimming can show personal discipline and focus.Work Experience
Part-time Jobs: Whether it's working at a coffee shop, retail store, or accounting firm, articulate your role and responsibilities. Internships: Highlighting an internship can show industry-specific skills and professional experience. Volunteer Work: Participating in volunteering activities, either at a local shelter, hospital, or environmental organization, can demonstrate empathy and a desire to contribute to society.Academic Competitions
Science Fairs: Participating in science fairs can showcase your problem-solving and research skills. Math Competitions: Competing in math competitions can highlight your analytical and mathematical prowess. Model UN or Similar Events: Engaging in Model UN can demonstrate teamwork, public speaking, and leadership skills.Arts and Performance
Music: Being part of a band, choir, or as a solo performer can show musical talent and creativity. Theater: Involvement in theater as an actor, director, or stage crew member can highlight your creative and collaborative abilities. Visual Arts: Pursuing art through painting, sculpture, or photography can demonstrate creativity and technical skills.Research and Independent Projects
Research Assistantships: Participating in research can showcase your analytical and research skills. Independent Studies or Projects: Working on independent projects can demonstrate your initiative and commitment. Involvement in Academic Research: Engaging in academic research, either at a university or with a mentor, can highlight your dedication to learning and discovery.Leadership Roles
Positions Held in Clubs: Leadership roles like president, treasurer, or secretary can demonstrate your organizational and leadership skills. Community Leadership Roles: Organizing events or initiatives in the community shows a willingness to take on leadership and make a positive impact.Other Significant Interests
Hobbies: Specializing in a hobby like blogging, coding, or gaming can show your personal interests and dedication. Certifications: Certifications like CPR or lifeguard training show your willingness to learn new skills and enhance your qualifications. Participation in Local Government or Advocacy Groups: Being involved in local government or advocacy groups can demonstrate public engagement and political awareness.Tips for Filling Out the Section
Be Specific
When describing your involvement, use specific details and show your impact. For example, instead of saying 'participant in debate club,’ say 'Suppressor of Musings through Public Discourse,' or instead of just 'volunteer,' provide specific examples such as 'helped organize a charity event, raising over $5000 for local homeless shelters.'
Prioritize
You have a limited number of slots, so prioritize the most significant activities that showcase your strengths and unique qualities. The order in which you list your activities matters, so place the activities that best demonstrate your character and achievements at the top.
Reflect Your Interests
Choose activities that align with your intended field of study or career aspirations if possible. For example, if you plan on majoring in computer science, include internships and coding clubs. If your goal is to become a journalist, highlight your experience in Model UN and writing for school newspapers.
Show Depth
If you held a long-term position or made significant contributions, highlight this to demonstrate commitment and growth over time. For instance, if you've been captain of your debating team for three years, mention the projects and competitions you've led as team leader, the awards you've won, and the challenges you've overcome together.
Format
Time Commitment
Indicate how many hours per week and weeks per year you dedicated to each activity. This provides context and shows the depth of your commitments. For example, 'Participated in the school debate team for 4 years, representing the team at 20 local and national events, with commitment of 2-3 hours per week.'
Description
Use the character limit wisely to convey the essence of your involvement. Keep it concise, but include the key details. For instance, 'Volunteered at the local animal shelter for 1 year, assisting with animal care, organization, and public interaction, contributing to over 500 volunteer hours.' This format not only shows the significance of your contributions but also provides a brief but impactful description of your involvement.
By thoughtfully curating your activities section, you can provide admissions officers with a well-rounded view of your experiences and passions. This will not only enhance your application but also help you showcase the diverse and unique aspects of your personality and character.