If you’re filling out the Common App right now, you might be wondering how to tackle the Activities section. It’s basically a snapshot of your high school life beyond grades and test scores—your hobbies, jobs, and passions. This section gives admissions committees a peek into your personality, leadership, and how you spend your time when classes end.
(Need help picking the best experiences to include? SOS Admissions helps students every day—just give us a call at 310-870-5428 or click here!)
First, the Basics: What Goes into the Activities Section?
The Activities section asks you to list your most meaningful extracurricular involvements. Here’s what you’ll include:
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Activity Type: Pick the category that fits best (sports, volunteer work, clubs, jobs, etc.).
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Position/Title (50 characters): Your role (e.g., “President,” “Volunteer,” “Member”).
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Organization Name (100 characters max): The group or place associated with the activity.
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Description (150 characters): Briefly highlight your role, tasks, and achievements.
Make your descriptions clear, precise, and powerful.
Expert Tips for a Great Activities Section
1. Keep it Authentic and Interesting
You don’t need ten activities if they aren’t all genuinely meaningful. Even five or six solid experiences can make your application stronger than padding with less relevant extras.
2. Use Numbers and Action Verbs
Admissions committees love specifics. Instead of “worked in a soup kitchen,” try “served meals to 50+ people weekly at local soup kitchen.”
3. Make Every Word Count
Space is limited. Don’t waste precious characters on general phrases like “responsible for” or “participated in.” Jump right into specifics: “led,” “organized,” “coached.”
4. Show Your Commitment or Leadership
Admissions teams love to see growth or dedication. If you led a club or stayed involved for several years, mention that clearly.
Real Student Examples You Can Follow:
Here are two real examples from successful applicants (modified for confidentiality):
Example #1: The Community Leader
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Role: President, Environment Club (Grades 11-12)
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Organization: Eco-Warriors, Lincoln High School
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Description: Ran monthly clean-ups, organized a recycling initiative cutting waste by 25%, recruited 15 new members.
Why it works: It clearly demonstrates leadership, measurable results, and genuine dedication.
Example 2: The Dedicated Volunteer
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Role: Volunteer Tutor (Grades 9-12)
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Organization: Community Learning Center
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Description: Tutored math & English weekly to 10 middle-schoolers; helped boost their grades, created a fun, supportive learning environment.
Why it works: It combines meaningful personal involvement, impact, and consistency over time.
Real Questions, Real Answers (FAQs):
Q: What if I don’t have ten activities?
A: No worries! Colleges prefer genuine involvement. It’s better to list fewer quality experiences than pad your list with minor activities.
Q: Should I group similar activities?
A: Yes! If you’ve done multiple related things, like different fundraisers, you can combine them under one umbrella to save space.
Q: How detailed should my descriptions be?
A: Keep it focused. Give brief but vivid details, mentioning specific roles, achievements, or statistics if you have them.
Q: How can I describe family responsibilities?
A: Describe them clearly, like: “Cared for younger siblings after school, managed household meals, homework help, 15 hrs/week.”
Q: Does the order of activities matter?
A: Put your most meaningful and relevant activities first. Admissions committees will likely notice the ones listed at the top first.
SOS Admissions Can Help You Get It Right
Still feeling unsure about your activities list? Our admissions experts at SOS Admissions are ready to help you craft the perfect Activities section to catch the admissions committee’s attention. Call us directly at 310-870-5428 or visit our college application services page to schedule a chat with an advisor.
Why Work with SOS Admissions?
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Personalized guidance: We’ll choose the right activities to highlight your unique strengths.
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Professional editing: Polish your descriptions so every word makes an impact.
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Expert consultants: Our team knows exactly what admissions committees want to see.
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Stress-free applications: We handle details so you can focus on other important parts of your application.
Schedule your free initial consultation today to see how we can make your application shine.
Final Tips and Encouragement
Filling out the Common App Activities section doesn’t need to be stressful. Just be honest, specific, and thoughtful. The goal is to let colleges see who you really are beyond the classroom. You’ve got this—and if you ever need support, SOS Admissions is here for you!
Ready to get started? Call 310-870-5428 or get started online.