Here are examples from top high school students. National Honor Society for example is a common activity that can easily go in the honors section. When it comes to the time spent, you want to make sure you put down an accurate amount. Our first piece of advice is to start a running log (on a google document and a saved word file) of all of your extracurricular activities starting freshman year. I genuinely enjoyed being a part of that club and was one of the leaders for the last couple of years. Calibrate these strategies to fit any college application. This is especially true when your list of activities exceeds the limit set by the Common App! Focus on quality, not quantity. When it comes time to fill out the activities section, pull out your list and start making some edits. If you’re uncertain, we’ve got your answers. We get a fair amount of questions about the activities section of the common app. Common App is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to access, equity and integrity in the college admission process. The online application profile only allows you to use 150 characters to describe the activity, and any accomplishment or recognition that you received while in it. Sign up below. Choose your registration type. Common App; Activities; Why isn't my Activities section marked as complete? Make sure you give a good representation of what you actually do. Get started at any time. The college essay is a really good way to personalize your application but on top of that, filling out activities you were, or currently are, a part of is another fantastic way to differentiate yourself. Remember that almost anything that you are actively and productively involved in can be considered an extracurricular activity. The Common Application, as well as many individual college applications, provides room for students to list out extracurricular activities. For the Common App, you have 5 slots for honors and awards, and 10 slots for your extracurricular activities. Be sure to list the activities in order of importance, with the first one being the most important! Finding activities in your life like this example will show your qualities that could potentially be translated to the college where you are applying. Activities . Here’s an example: A student I worked with included a leadership project on her Common App Activities section called Quilts of Valor. I studied with one girl until her Cs became As. P: 413-545-0222 Check the common app activities section examples. Just like Like when writing a resume, you can use “incomplete sentences” in your activity list descriptions to maximize the amount of information you’re able to fit. Here are a few tips for making a good impression in the activities section… The Activities page of the Common App, which doubles as a résumé, allows students to list up to 10 different activities or extra-curricular interests they’ve been involved with during high school. Information. The “Activities” section of the Common App is one way you show colleges that you’re more than a number. Then you’ll tell them if you plan to continue this kind of activity in college. Aside from painting or sketching, you can involve yourself in photography, theater and creative writing. It’s your chance to show the admissions officers how you will become an actively contributing member of their school community. Your ~personal brand~, if you will. by Elyse Krantz, former admissions officer at Barnard College Mastering the Activities Section of the Common Application. The Common Application, as well as many individual college applications, provides room for students to list out extracurricular activities. Colleges are interested in this information because it helps them understand how you spend your time when you’re not in class, whether you have a job, have family responsibilities, play sports or enjoy volunteer work. Start by thinking about your contributions to the clubs you’re in. Admissions essays. Article Content. Family responsibilities come in many forms and can be permanent or temporary. Common App Activities: How to Fit More Than 10 Extracurriculars on Your List. It’s a chance for you to show your creative side. In it you have the chance to tell colleges more about who you are outside the classroom. about Meet the Major: Marketing and Political Science, Meet the Major: Marketing and Political Science, ©2021 University of Massachusetts Amherst. No one is going to require you to to be part of the activity in college, but it’s good to click. Follow these pointers for crafting a rich and memorable Common App activities page. If you're uncertain what to write about one of your activities, comment below with some details and I can give you some advice! This profile section collects information about your extracurricular activities. Choosing your Activities. Property of Common App, Inc. 2020 Common App, Inc. commonapp.org The Activities section is one of the seven sections of the Common App tab. Here's the COMPLETE application that got me into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. Choosing activities that you intend to continue will make your application shine. Many students who apply to these schools have top GPAs and test scores, so extracurricular activities are one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from the rest […] Tagged: activities section, application strategies. The Common App gives you ten slots for activities, but … Previous Essay Next Essay. Try to include very detailed and powerful words that really show how impactful the activity was on your life, and how you excelled within it. Information. The question will often ask something straight-forward like this: "Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences." You should think of the the Common App Activities List as a resume. DO list your most impressive and relevant activities near the … Learn more ; Some terminology in Microsoft Dataverse has been updated. During the college application process, it is important to try to make yourself stand out amongst the thousands of other applicants. Overview for the Common App. You only have 150 characters, so you need to consolidate. Learn more; This article will be updated soon to reflect the latest terminology. If you have been significantly involved in NHS during high school you may still want it as an activity but for many students, putting it just in the honors section is sufficient. See my Common App, personal essays, and recommendation letters, and learn strategies for your own college application. 7 Examples of Key Activities posted by John Spacey, July 31, 2018. Here’s how to fill out the Common App Activities section for maximum impact. Jul 25, 2020 • FAQ Article. This is often documented as part of strategic planning exercises such as business model canvas. The Common App Activities Section is an opportunity to demonstrate to the Common App colleges your talents, skills, and specific examples of extracurricular activities you’ve participated in … When I applied to colleges, I made sure to include my involvement with, The final two sections you will need to fill out are the amount of time you have spent doing this activity, and also if you intend to continue with it in college. They are different from chores in that you are meeting an important need for your family as opposed to simply lending a hand. Once you have your activities selected, you’ll fill out the website. The Common App activities list and honors section have a character allowance lower than that of a Tweet! In a separate document, list out all of your activities. Let’s use the activities list in the Common Application as an example to go over how to best portray your activities. Pay attention to the structure. College Admissions. Because of this, the activities section of the Common App is very important. Example 1. Perhaps one of the most difficult things about the activities section in the Common App is writing the description to whatever activity you choose. These are frequent and valid questions. Common App Activity Entries: The Analysis . One of the biggest reasons why she decided to attend UMass Amherst was because of the abundance of opportunities and resources the school has to offer. Check the common app activities section examples. Here are a few tips for making a good impression in the activities section… Deciding when to apply: Early vs regular decision. See my Common App, personal essays, and recommendation letters, and learn strategies for your own college application. 1. These are frequent and valid questions. Colleges want to know you will be engaged with their community, and be involved as a student. To do this, start each line with an action verb (rather than “I”), using the present tense if it is something that you’re still participating in (e.g., “lead”) and the past tense if you are no longer involved (e.g., “led”). Common and Coalition Application. Use a sample to craft your application essay section about activities. Use a sample to craft your application essay section about activities. 07 Jan. 2021. When writing them, the most important thing to keep in mind is to use action words. This is a place to showcase what you’ve done outside of class. We support a centralized or "common" online application system for more than 800 colleges and universities worldwide that enables more than 1 million students - a third of whom are first generation - to apply to college. For example: condense “Pitch documentary ideas, film content, and edit videos” to “Pitch, film, and edit documentaries”. How to cite this essay (MLA) Anonymous Student. F: 413-545-4312, Office PoliciesCampus SafetyUMass Amherst COVID-19 Updates, First-Year Counselor DirectoryTransfer Counselor DirectoryStudent Tour Guide Directory, ©2021 University of Massachusetts Amherst • Site Policies • Site Contact, On the Common App, you have ten available activity slots to fill, but this does not mean you have to use all of them. This 1 tip is exactly 149 characters long. I … Flattery like that will get you everywhere, Ana. You can move your activities up and down once they’re filled out on the website. The Activities section of the Common App only gives you 150 characters to describe each activity. If you’re reading this as a junior and missed the boat, Here are some tips when filling out the activities section on the Common App! Art encompasses a wide variety of … Study these extracurricular activities examples and samples that you can learn from when writing your activities ... Common App, Supplemental Essays. On the Common App, you have ten available activity slots to fill, but this does not mean you have to use all of them. DO make the most of your 150 characters. The Activities section looks simple, and it is -- if you remember to avoid these 15 mistakes! Oct 21, 2020 • FAQ Article. Want the strategies we have used to get students into top Ivy League schools in your email box every month? Here's the COMPLETE application that got me into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. See my Common App, personal essays, and recommendation letters, and learn strategies for your own college application. Tip: Use the ← → keys to navigate! One of the trickiest parts of the Common App is understanding how to make the most of the extracurricular activity section. One section of the Common Application that confuses many students is the activities section. The final two sections you will need to fill out are the amount of time you have spent doing this activity, and also if you intend to continue with it in college. Keep reading more Common App admissions essays — you can't be too prepared! Copyright 2019 - 2020 THE KOPPELMAN GROUP, How to Address College Professors Over Email When Applying to College. Read our guide on How to Write the Common App Essays Types of Activities and Positions Held. Although the Common Application no longer requires a short answer essay, many colleges still include a question along these lines: "Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences." The Activities section isn't the only place to show your passion and where you excel! Think back and type out everything that you’ve done in order. What you should do if you have no ECs. Activities Section. Common App Activities Section Examples. Art encompasses a wide variety of options for creative students. Preparing your Common App activities can be just as stressful as completing the personal statement and college-specific supplements. Remember that you’ll have another opportunity to expand on your extracurricular activities when you get to … Each separate activity will have a green check status. Our plan was to drive to our high school, but my friend behind bumped into the couch while a police car drove past. Activity type: Community Service (Volunteer) Position/Leadership description and organization name, if applicable: Key Club: Club President; Kiwanis Coordinator (1) Details, honors won, and accomplishments: High school community service organization which I helped coordinate as Club President. How To Fill Out The Activities Section of the Common App. Still, the difficulty of the challenge does not mean you can ignore the Common Application directions. Extracurricular activities can take on a special importance for homeschoolers. When it comes to figuring out which activities you want to include in your application, you want to be sure to include some that exemplify leadership, self-development, and hard work. If you’re uncertain, we’ve got your answers. Lastly, the application asks if you intend to continue with the activity, or participate in something similar, in college. Second, can any of your activities go in the academic honors section of the common app? Make sure you give a good representation of what you actually do. When it comes to figuring out which activities you want to include in your application, you want to be sure to include some that exemplify leadership, self-development, and hard work. The activities section is a chance to give Admissions a fuller picture of who you are as a student and what your interests are. On the Common App, you have ten available activity slots to fill, but this does not mean you have to use all of them. For some students, the 10 spaces for Common App activities are just not enough. College application checklist. Creating a first year Common App account is easy and should only take a few minutes. How to fill out your Common App activities section: 1. Although your previous GPA and test scores give college admissions office knowledge on your academic abilities, it does not give insight into who you are as an individual outside of school. According to Common App, “activities may include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits.”. Here is Pt. Contact us here. If you feel that the allotted text lines and drop down menus in the Activities Section are not sufficient for you, feel free to upload or send in an activities resume to accompany your application. Lastly, the application asks if you intend to continue with the activity, or participate in something similar, in college. If you’re overwhelmed with the application process, we can help. What are family responsibilities in the activities section, and why are they important? This often isn’t enough room to do your Spike justice. If you're uncertain what to write about one of your activities, comment below with some details and I can give you some advice! If you have some spare time and could post an example Common App activities form with a few different activities, it would be extremely helpful to me and many other confused seniors! Focus on quality, not quantity. Examples of great action verbs include:led, managed, coordinated, developed, initiated, (re)designed, achieved, analyzed, authored, trained… You ge… If you have more than ten activities under your belt, focus on the ones that are the most important to you, that you spent the most time doing, and that are related to what you plan to do in college. Activities that show your societal contribution, whether that be your high school or community, will give admissions offices a sense of your skills and interests. Colleges want to know you will be engaged with their community, and be involved as a student. Topic Title: Volunteer Tutor, NYC Cares. If you’re giving that section a once over and don’t like the order or your priorities change, shift the activities around. Key activities are the things that you do to add value. Here are some tips when filling out the activities section on the Common App! "Common Application Activities List" StudyNotes.org. 1. For example, entity is now table and field is now column. I had to mark yes for being convicted of a misdemeanor on my common app and am applying to T20s It’s a long story, but me and my friends built a motorized sofa and drove it illegally on the road. Basically, it’s an opportunity to (briefly) highlight what you have participated in outside of the classroom and how you have made an impact through your involvement. Choosing your Activities. "Family Responsibilities" on Common App. Thread "Family Responsibilities" on Common App Author Date within 1 day 3 days 1 week 2 weeks 1 month 2 months 6 months 1 year of Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04 Along with a personal essay, supplemental essays, Letters of Recommendation from the student’s counselor, and possibly multiple letters from the student’s teachers, the Common App’s ‘Activities’ section is an example of US universities wanting to get to know each prospective student ‘in the round’. We get a fair amount of questions about the activities section of the common app. Filling out the college application: Common application walkthrough. Overall, the activities portion of the Common App is another chance at personalizing your application. If you’re reading this as a junior and missed the boat, it’s not too late. Learn what types of honors you can include, what order to place them in, whether abbreviations are allowed, and how to use your 100 characters for description. HEY GUYS! (Comment replies give helpful examples of how to phrase ECs) How to write your Common App and UC Activities Lists. Article Content. It sounds more confusing when it’s typed out, trust us that this part is actually quite simple. For the Common App, you have 5 slots for honors and awards, and 10 slots for your extracurricular activities. Property of Common App, Inc. 2020 Common App, Inc. commonapp.org The Activities section is one of the seven sections of the Common App tab. 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