Your transcript doesn’t show colleges the after-school clubs you’ve joined or hours spent tutoring your neighbors. Admissions officers genuinely want to see who they’d be welcoming onto campus. At SOS Admissions, our college admissions consulting experts always remind applicants: clearly showcase if you’re a volunteer superstar or the coding whiz who built an app from scratch. The Common App Activities section is your highlight reel—it proves you’re far more than just grades or test scores.

(Quick disclaimer: SOS Admissions is an independent admissions support service—not affiliated with the Common App organization.)

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What Exactly Goes into the Common App Activities Section?

When adding an activity, the Common App asks clearly for these details:

  • Activity Type: Categories like music, debate, athletics, community service, etc. Select the closest fit. (If there’s a direct option like “Robotics,” choose that instead of something broad like “Academic.”)
  • Position/Leadership (50 characters max): Examples: “Captain, JV Swim” or “Volunteer Mentor.” Choose your most significant role if you’ve had several.
  • Organization Name (100 characters max): Use the official group title, or clearly mark personal projects as “Self-Directed” or “Independent.”
  • Description (150 characters max): Use every character effectively. Clearly state your impact: “Raised $800 for library,” “Mentored 4 new members,” or “Performed at 3 local venues.”

150 characters feel tight—but you’ll be surprised at how much you can include clearly. Action words and numbers help significantly.

Tips from Our College Admissions Consulting Experts:

  • Rank by Importance:
    List your most meaningful activities first. If coaching youth soccer meant the most, put it at the top, even above fancier-sounding roles.
  • Be Specific & Direct:
    Instead of “Managed volunteers,” clearly say: “Organized 2 monthly cleanups, recruited 10 peers, raised $500.”
  • Include Numbers:
    Even small numbers help: “Tutored 3 students weekly,” “Led 6-person robotics team,” or “Performed in 5 recitals.”
  • Show Your Focus:
    Interested in engineering? Clearly group related clubs or summer experiences to illustrate your passion clearly.

Quick, Clear Examples:

Malia, the Future Engineer:

Activity Type: Robotics
Position: “Project Lead (11th–12th)”
Org Name: “City High Robotics Club”
Description: “Coded sensor array, led 8 teammates to state finals, raised $1k sponsor funds.”

Activity Type: Work (Paid)
Position: “Junior Tech Helper (Summer)”
Org Name: “Gadget Fix-It Shop”
Description: “Repaired laptops, advised customers, trained new intern, logged daily repairs.”

Clearly, Malia loves STEM, demonstrates leadership, and handles responsibility well.

Aaron, the Creative Volunteer:

Activity Type: Community Service
Position: “Event Organizer (12th)”
Org Name: “River Cleanup Squad”
Description: “Ran 3 weekend events, recruited 15 volunteers, removed 200+ lbs of trash.”

Activity Type: Art
Position: “Founder (11th–12th)”
Org Name: “School Sketch Club”
Description: “Launched group for aspiring artists, held monthly exhibits, sold $400 student work for charity.”

Aaron combines creativity and community service uniquely.

FAQs from Our College Admissions Consulting Clients:

  • How many activities should I list?
    Up to 10, but clearly focus on meaningful ones.

  • Does family care count as an activity?
    Absolutely. Regular responsibilities count as valid experience.

  • Changing roles in the same club annually?
    Combine them clearly unless vastly different; use your judgment.

  • Can I re-order my activities later?
    Yes, you can adjust them freely until submitting.

  • Repeat details from my essays?
    Not exactly. Activities descriptions should stay concise; essays can offer greater depth.

Final Tips for Your Common App Activities Section:

These short lines in the Activities section might feel small, but they show admissions exactly how you’ve spent your time outside class. Concise, detailed descriptions demonstrate genuine commitment. Clearly match your top activities with your passions, and admissions officers will quickly understand who you truly are.

Need College Admissions Consulting Help?

If you’re unsure about your Activities section or want support crafting a standout college application, SOS Admissions offers expert help. Our college admissions consulting team provides personalized guidance every step of the way, from activities descriptions to polished essays.

Schedule your free consultation today or call 310-870-5428. We’ll help you organize your Common App clearly and confidently.

Good luck making your list (and checking it twice)!

(Disclaimer: SOS Admissions is an independent service—not affiliated with the Common App organization.)