2023 Common App Activities Section: The Ultimate Guide

The Common App Activities Section is your chance to showcase your extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteer work to colleges. It's an important part of your application, and it can help you stand out from the crowd.

What to Include in Your Activities Section

The Common App Activities Section allows you to list up to 10 activities. You should choose activities that are meaningful to you and that demonstrate your skills and interests. Some popular activity categories include:

• Extracurricular activities: These can include sports, clubs, music, and art.
• Work experience: This can include paid work, internships, and volunteer work.
• Volunteer work: This can include volunteering for a non-profit organization, a school, or a religious group.

How to List Your Activities

When listing your activities, you should include the following information:

• Activity name: The name of the activity or organization.
• Description: A brief description of the activity and your role in it.
• Start date: The date you started the activity.
• End date: The date you ended the activity (or the expected end date if you are still involved).
• Hours per week: The average number of hours per week you spent on the activity.
• Honors/awards: Any honors or awards you received for your participation in the activity.

Tips for Completing the Activities Section

Here are a few tips for completing the Activities Section:

• Be selective: Only list activities that are meaningful to you and that demonstrate your skills and interests.
• Be specific: Provide specific details about each activity, such as your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
• Quantify your experience: Use numbers to quantify your experience, such as the number of hours you volunteered or the number of awards you received.
• Proofread carefully: Make sure to proofread your Activities Section carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.

The Importance of the Activities Section

The Activities Section is an important part of your Common App application. It gives colleges a chance to learn more about your interests, skills, and experiences. By completing the Activities Section thoughtfully, you can help yourself stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of admission to your dream school.

10 Ways to Make Your Common App Activities Section Stand Out

The Common App Activities Section is your chance to showcase your extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteer work to colleges. It's an important part of your application, and it can help you stand out from the crowd.

Here are 10 ways to make your Common App Activities Section stand out:

1. Be selective: Only list activities that are meaningful to you and that demonstrate your skills and interests.
2. Be specific: Provide specific details about each activity, such as your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
3. Quantify your experience: Use numbers to quantify your experience, such as the number of hours you volunteered or the number of awards you received.
4. Highlight your leadership: If you held a leadership role in any of your activities, be sure to mention it in your description.
5. Use action verbs: Use active verbs to describe your activities, such as "led," "organized," and "volunteered."
6. Proofread carefully: Make sure to proofread your Activities Section carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.
7. Get feedback from others: Ask a teacher, counselor, or friend to review your Activities Section and provide feedback.
8. Tailor your activities to your college list: Research the colleges you're applying to and tailor your Activities Section to their interests.
9. Consider using keywords: Use keywords that are relevant to your major or career goals in your descriptions.
10. Be yourself: The most important thing is to be yourself and to showcase your unique skills and interests.

4 Tips for Brainstorming Common App Activities

The Common App Activities Section is your chance to showcase your extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteer work to colleges. It's an important part of your application, and it can help you stand out from the crowd.

But what if you're not sure what activities to list? Here are four tips for brainstorming Common App activities:

1. Think about your interests: What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Your interests can be a great starting point for brainstorming activities.
2. Consider your skills: What are you good at? What are your strengths? Highlight your skills in your activities descriptions.
3. Research colleges: Research the colleges you're applying to and see what kinds of activities they're looking for. Tailor your Activities Section to their interests.
4. Get creative: Don't be afraid to think outside the box when brainstorming activities. There are endless possibilities, so get creative and come up with something unique.

3 Common App Activities Section Mistakes to Avoid

The Common App Activities Section is your chance to showcase your extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteer work to colleges. It's an important part of your application, and it can help you stand out from the crowd.

But there are also some common mistakes that students make when completing the Activities Section. Here are three mistakes to avoid:

1. Listing too many activities: Don't try to list every single activity you've ever been involved in. Focus on your most meaningful and impressive activities.
2. Being vague: Don't simply list your activities without providing any details. Be specific about your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
3. Making it all about you: The Activities Section is not about bragging about your accomplishments. It's about showing colleges how you've contributed to your community and made a difference in the world.

Common App Activities Section Examples

Here are a few examples of strong Common App Activities Section descriptions:

Example 1:

Activity: Volunteer at a local soup kitchen

Description: I have volunteered at a local soup kitchen every week for the past two years. I help to prepare and serve meals to those in need. I have also helped to organize food drives and fundraising events.

Example 2:

Activity: President of the debate team

Description: I have been the president of the debate team for the past two years. I lead the team at competitions and help to organize practices and fundraisers. I have also represented the team at state and national competitions.

Example 3:

Activity: Co-founder of a non-profit organization

Description: I co-founded a non-profit organization that provides free tutoring to students in underserved communities. I have helped to recruit volunteers, organize tutoring sessions, and raise funds for the organization.

These are just a few examples of strong Common App Activities Section descriptions. When writing your own descriptions, be sure to be specific, quantify your experience, and highlight your leadership skills.