Spencer Lanoue
Crafting a compelling activities list for the Common App can feel like a puzzle, but it’s one you can solve with a few thoughtful strategies. This post will guide you through creating an activities list that captures your unique experiences and presents them in the best possible light. Let's unlock the potential of your extracurriculars and make your application shine.
Understanding the Activities Section
The activities section of the Common App allows you to highlight what you’ve been involved in outside the classroom. It’s an opportunity to showcase your interests, leadership skills, and commitment to your passions. You can list up to ten activities, ranging from clubs and volunteer work to jobs and hobbies. The key here is not just to list them, but to communicate what each activity means to you and how it has contributed to your growth.
Think of each activity as a mini-story. Admissions officers want to see how you spend your time. They’re also looking for depth and engagement. Are you a leader? Do you have a long-term commitment to one activity? Have you made an impact on your community? These are the kinds of questions your activities list should answer. Let's dive deeper into how you can effectively communicate this information.
Choosing Your Activities Wisely
Not all activities are created equal when it comes to your Common App. You might have a laundry list of things you’ve dabbled in, but it’s better to focus on those that genuinely reflect your interests and contributions. Quality over quantity is the mantra here.
- Prioritize Meaningful Experiences: Choose activities that have had a significant impact on you or where you’ve had a substantial role. If you’ve been in a club for four years and served as president, that’s more impactful than a one-time volunteer event.
- Showcase Diverse Interests: While it’s great to show depth in one area, variety can also highlight your versatility. Perhaps you’re a science whiz who also plays the violin and volunteers at an animal shelter.
- Align with Your Narrative: Your activities should complement the rest of your application, including your essay and intended major. If you’re applying for a biology program, activities related to science may bolster your application.
Remember, admissions officers read thousands of applications. Your list should quickly convey who you are and what you care about. Think about how each activity fits into the broader picture of your life and story.
Writing Descriptions That Pop
Each activity on the Common App allows for a 150-character description, which is roughly 20-25 words. This is your chance to succinctly convey your role and achievements. Here’s how to make those characters count:
- Use Action Verbs: Start your descriptions with strong action verbs to make them dynamic and engaging. Words like “led,” “organized,” “developed,” and “initiated” are powerful.
- Be Specific: Vague descriptions don’t tell the reader much. Instead of saying “Helped at school events,” say “Organized and led a team of 10 volunteers for annual school festival.”
- Quantify When Possible: Numbers can quickly convey the scale of your involvement. Did you raise $5,000? Did you coordinate an event with 200 attendees? These details are impactful.
Here’s a quick example to illustrate:
Before: "Member of the debate team"
After: "Led debate team to state finals, earning 2nd place out of 25 schools"
See the difference? The second version gives a clear picture of your achievements and leadership role.
Organizing Your List for Maximum Effect
The order of your activities can also play a role in how your application is perceived. Start with your most significant activities and work your way down. Here’s a simple strategy for sorting your activities:
- Lead with Leadership: If you hold or have held a leadership position, place those activities at the top of your list. Leadership roles are often highly valued.
- Highlight Long-Term Commitments: Activities that show dedication over time, such as a sport or a musical instrument you’ve practiced for years, should come next.
- Showcase Diverse Involvement: Round out your list with activities that highlight different facets of your personality and interests.
The goal is to create a balanced list that reflects both depth and breadth. Admissions officers should get a sense of both your passion and your versatility.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While crafting your activities list, there are some common mistakes that could undermine your efforts. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Being Too Modest or Too Boastful: It’s important to strike a balance in your descriptions. Be honest about your contributions without downplaying or exaggerating your role.
- Overloading with Jargon: Avoid using overly technical language that might not be understood outside of your specific field or activity.
- Neglecting to Proofread: Spelling and grammatical errors can distract from your message. Make sure to proofread your list multiple times.
Interestingly enough, some students think they need to embellish their activities to stand out. However, authenticity is much more compelling. Admissions officers can spot exaggeration. Honesty will always serve you better in the long run.
Examples of Strong Activities Lists
Sometimes, seeing a good example can clarify what works. Here are a couple of sample activities lists that demonstrate effective use of descriptions, variety, and impact:
1. Student Council President: Led council meetings; organized community service projects; increased volunteer participation by 30%.
2. Varsity Soccer Team Captain: Coordinated team practices; led team to regional championships; awarded MVP two seasons.
3. Science Club Member: Conducted experiments; presented findings at regional science fair; won 1st place in environmental category.
4. Volunteer Tutor: Provided weekly math tutoring to underprivileged students; improved average grades by 15%.
5. School Newspaper Editor: Managed a team of 5 writers; increased readership by 40% through digital outreach.
These examples are concise, specific, and demonstrate a range of skills and commitments. They give a clear picture of each student’s involvement and achievements.
Getting Feedback and Revising
Once you’ve drafted your activities list, it’s critical to get feedback from others. Sometimes, an outsider’s perspective can highlight strengths you’ve overlooked or areas that need improvement. Consider asking a teacher, counselor, or trusted mentor to review your list.
Feedback might reveal that some descriptions are unclear or that certain activities are more impressive than you initially thought. Use this input to refine your list. Remember, revision is a natural part of the writing process, and your activities list will benefit from it.
Also, if you’re finding it challenging to get the wording just right, Spell can be a helpful tool. It allows you to draft and refine your descriptions quickly, offering suggestions that can make your writing more effective.
How to Use Spell for Your Activities List
Let me tell you a bit about how Spell can simplify the process of creating your activities list. Spell is like having an intelligent assistant that helps you craft, edit, and polish your documents. Here’s how it works for the activities section:
- Generate a Draft: Start by inputting your activity and a brief description. Spell can generate a polished draft in seconds, helping you overcome that initial writer’s block.
- Edit with Ease: Use natural language prompts to refine your descriptions. Just highlight text and ask Spell to adjust it, whether you want to add more detail or make it more concise.
- Collaborate in Real-Time: If you’re working with a teacher or counselor, you can share your document and edit it together, streamlining the feedback and revision process.
Spell is designed to help you produce high-quality writing quickly, eliminating the hassle of formatting and reformatting as you edit. It’s a great resource for making sure your activities list is as strong as it can be.
Final Thoughts
Creating a standout activities list for the Common App involves more than just listing what you’ve done. It’s about telling a story that highlights your involvement, leadership, and passion. By choosing meaningful activities, writing vivid descriptions, and organizing them effectively, you can create a list that truly represents you. And if you need a bit of extra help, Spell can make the process faster and more efficient, helping you polish your list to perfection.
