Master Your Common App Activities Section
The Activities section is your chance to showcase leadership, passions, and impact beyond academics.
Learn how to strategically present your extracurriculars, work experience, and achievements to stand out to admissions officers.
Complete field guide • 40+ examples • Strategic prioritization • Impact-focused writing
What Counts as Activities on the Common App?
The Activities section allows you to list up to 10 activities that showcase your interests, leadership, and impact outside the classroom. This section is crucial because it shows admissions officers who you are beyond grades and test scores.
What Qualifies as an Activity?
- • Extracurricular clubs and organizations
- • Sports and athletics (school and club teams)
- • Work experience and internships
- • Volunteer work and community service
- • Research projects and academic competitions
- • Creative pursuits (music, art, writing, theater)
- • Leadership roles and student government
- • Family responsibilities and caregiving
- • Hobbies with significant time commitment
- • Summer programs and enrichment activities
Quality Over Quantity
Don't feel pressure to fill all 10 slots. It's better to have 6-8 meaningful activities with strong descriptions than 10 activities with weak impact.
Activity Types
Academic
Clubs, competitions, research
Athletics
Sports teams, fitness activities
Career-Oriented
Work, internships, job shadowing
Community Service
Volunteering, civic engagement
Creative
Arts, music, writing, performance
How to Fill Out Each Field
Each activity entry has 6 key fields. Here's how to optimize each one for maximum impact.
Activity Type
Choose the category that best fits your activity
Best Practices:
- • Select the most relevant category from the dropdown menu
- • When unsure, choose based on your primary role or contribution
- • Academic is for clubs, competitions, research, and academic pursuits
- • Career-Oriented includes work, internships, business ventures, and professional development
- • Community Service covers volunteering, civic engagement, and service projects
- • Other Club/Activity is for unique activities that don't fit standard categories
Examples:
Academic (for debate team), Athletics (for track team), Career-Oriented (for internship), Community Service (for food bank volunteering)
Position/Leadership Description
Your role or title in the activity (50 characters)
Best Practices:
- • Use official titles when possible (President, Captain, Founder, Manager)
- • Be specific about your role (Marketing Manager vs Member, Lead vs Assistant)
- • Include leadership level indicators (Head, Lead, Senior, Chief, Co-)
- • For informal roles, describe your function clearly and specifically
- • Highlight responsibility and decision-making authority in the title
- • Show progression if you advanced (start with highest position held)
Examples:
Debate Team Captain, Founder & CEO, Lead Researcher, Volunteer Coordinator, Marketing Director
Organization Name
Name of the club, team, company, or organization (50 characters)
Best Practices:
- • Use the complete official organization name when space allows
- • Include school name if it's a school-based club or team
- • Be specific about location for local organizations (City Animal Shelter vs Animal Shelter)
- • Use widely recognizable names when possible to provide context
- • Abbreviate strategically if necessary but keep it clear and understandable
- • For self-created organizations, use the name you established
Examples:
Lincoln High School Debate Team, Local Animal Shelter, Stanford Research Lab, Independent Tutoring Business
Please describe this activity
Detailed description of your involvement and impact (150 characters)
Best Practices:
- • Start with your specific role, responsibilities, and key contributions
- • Include quantifiable achievements and measurable impact whenever possible
- • Highlight leadership qualities, initiative, and problem-solving abilities
- • Show progression, growth, and increasing responsibility over time
- • Connect to your interests, values, or intended major when naturally relevant
- • Use strong action verbs and specific, concrete details rather than vague descriptions
- • Focus on outcomes and results, not just activities or processes
Examples:
Led 15-member team in policy debate competitions. Placed 2nd at state tournament. Mentored novice debaters, increasing team retention 40%.
Grade Levels
When you participated in this activity
Best Practices:
- • Select all applicable grades honestly and accurately
- • Show consistency and long-term commitment when possible
- • Highlight progression from member to leader across multiple years
- • Include summer activities in the grade level when they occurred
- • For ongoing activities, include projected future participation if certain
- • Consider the timing of when you were actually active, not just enrolled
Examples:
9, 10, 11, 12 (shows 4-year sustained commitment) or 11, 12 (intensive recent focus with leadership)
Timing
Hours per week and weeks per year
Best Practices:
- • Be realistic and honest about actual time commitment
- • Include all related time: meetings, practice, preparation, competitions, and events
- • Consider seasonal variations (sports teams, theater productions, academic competitions)
- • Account for additional hours from leadership responsibilities
- • Round to realistic, whole numbers rather than precise decimals
- • Ensure total hours across all activities remain feasible with academic schedule
Examples:
5 hrs/week, 36 weeks/year (accounts for school year plus some summer activities)
Activity Categories & Examples
See how to present different types of activities effectively. These examples show strong descriptions that highlight leadership, impact, and specific achievements.
Leadership & Student Government
Positions showing leadership, initiative, and impact on your school or community
Position
Student Body President
Organization
Washington High School
Description
Led 2,000-student body, managed $50K budget. Implemented mental health awareness program reaching 500+ students.
Pro Tip: Quantify your constituency size and budget responsibility. Highlight specific initiatives you championed and their measurable impact on the student body.
Position
Founder & President
Organization
Environmental Action Club
Description
Founded club with 45 members. Organized campus-wide recycling program, reducing waste 30%. Led Earth Day festival (800 attendees).
Pro Tip: Show how you built something from scratch. Include membership growth metrics and concrete environmental or community achievements with numbers.
Position
Class Vice President
Organization
Junior Class Council
Description
Coordinated fundraising events raising $8K for prom. Managed logistics for homecoming dance (600 attendees).
Pro Tip: Even if not the top position, highlight your specific contributions, financial responsibility, and event management skills with attendance figures.
Academic Clubs & Competitions
Intellectual pursuits, competitions, and academic enrichment activities
Position
Team Captain
Organization
Science Olympiad Team
Description
Led 15-member team to 3rd place at state competition. Specialized in Chemistry Lab, placed 1st regionally twice.
Pro Tip: Highlight both your leadership role in guiding the team and your individual competitive achievements. Include specific competition levels and rankings.
Position
Head of Marketing
Organization
DECA Chapter
Description
Managed social media increasing membership 50%. Competed in Business Management, advanced to state level twice.
Pro Tip: Show how you contributed to the organization beyond just competing. Include both organizational improvements and personal competitive success.
Position
Lead Researcher
Organization
Independent Research Project
Description
Studied microplastic pollution in local waterways. Presented findings at regional science fair, won 2nd place.
Pro Tip: For independent work, emphasize the self-directed nature, scientific rigor, and any formal recognition or presentation opportunities received.
Position
Quiz Bowl Captain
Organization
Academic Team
Description
Led team to district championship, qualified for state tournament. Averaged 85% accuracy rate in science categories.
Pro Tip: Include team achievements under your leadership and personal performance statistics that demonstrate your academic knowledge and quick thinking.
Athletics
Sports participation showing dedication, teamwork, and competitive achievement
Position
Team Captain
Organization
Varsity Soccer Team
Description
Led team to conference championship as 4-year starter. All-Conference selection junior & senior year. Mentored JV players.
Pro Tip: Include number of years played, individual awards or honors, and leadership responsibilities like mentoring younger athletes.
Position
Co-Captain
Organization
Swimming & Diving Team
Description
Qualified for state meet in 200m freestyle. Organized team fundraisers raising $5K for new equipment.
Pro Tip: Even without major championships, show competitive level achieved and contributions to team culture, fundraising, or program development.
Position
Competitor
Organization
Club Tennis Team
Description
Competed at regional tournaments, achieving top 20 ranking in state. Coached youth tennis lessons for summer income.
Pro Tip: For club sports, emphasize competitive level reached and any related activities like coaching or teaching that show skill development.
Position
Varsity Wrestler
Organization
High School Wrestling Team
Description
3-year letter winner, qualified for sectional tournament twice. Led team conditioning workouts as senior leader.
Pro Tip: Show consistency and progression in competitive performance, plus informal leadership roles that demonstrate respect from teammates.
Work & Career Experience
Employment, internships, and career-oriented experiences showing responsibility and skill development
Position
Research Intern
Organization
University Medical Center
Description
Assisted PhD researchers studying cardiovascular disease. Analyzed data for 200+ patient records. Co-authored research abstract.
Pro Tip: Show real responsibility and meaningful contribution, not just observation. Include any tangible outputs like publications, presentations, or data analysis.
Position
Shift Supervisor
Organization
Local Coffee Shop
Description
Managed team of 5 employees during busy shifts. Increased customer satisfaction scores 15% through service improvements.
Pro Tip: Highlight leadership responsibilities and measurable impact, even in entry-level positions. Show progression if you were promoted from regular employee.
Position
Freelance Tutor
Organization
Self-Employed
Description
Tutored 10+ students in math and science. Improved client grades average of 1.2 letter grades. Earned $2K annually.
Pro Tip: For self-employment, show business scale, client impact metrics, and entrepreneurial skills. Include financial success if significant.
Position
Marketing Intern
Organization
Local Tech Startup
Description
Created social media campaigns reaching 5K+ followers. Designed promotional materials for product launch.
Pro Tip: Even unpaid internships show initiative. Focus on specific projects completed and their impact on the organization's goals or metrics.
Community Service & Volunteering
Service activities showing commitment to helping others and making community impact
Position
Volunteer Coordinator
Organization
Local Food Bank
Description
Organized 20+ volunteers for weekly food distribution. Served 150+ families monthly. Led holiday drive collecting 500 toys.
Pro Tip: Show leadership of other volunteers and quantify impact on beneficiaries. Include special initiatives or drives you organized.
Position
Reading Tutor
Organization
Elementary School Program
Description
Tutored struggling readers 2 hours weekly. Helped 8 students improve reading levels average of 1.5 grades over school year.
Pro Tip: Focus on specific educational impact and improvement metrics rather than just time spent. Show dedication to individual student success.
Position
Youth Mentor
Organization
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Description
Mentored at-risk middle schooler for 2 years. Helped improve academic performance and social skills through weekly activities.
Pro Tip: Show long-term commitment and specific areas where you made a difference in your mentee's development and life outcomes.
Position
Hospital Volunteer
Organization
Children's Medical Center
Description
Provided comfort to pediatric patients through play activities. Volunteered 4 hours weekly for 3 years (600+ total hours).
Pro Tip: Emphasize the emotional intelligence and maturity required for healthcare volunteering. Include total hours to show sustained commitment.
Creative Arts
Artistic pursuits, performances, and creative expression showing talent and dedication
Position
Lead Actress
Organization
School Theater Program
Description
Starred in 3 major productions including Macbeth. Led ensemble of 25 actors. Directed one-act play for drama festival.
Pro Tip: Include specific roles and productions, plus any directing or leadership responsibilities that show artistic maturity and peer respect.
Position
Editor-in-Chief
Organization
School Newspaper
Description
Managed staff of 12 writers and photographers. Increased readership 40% through digital expansion. Won state journalism award.
Pro Tip: Show leadership of creative teams, measurable impact on publication success, and external recognition for journalistic excellence.
Position
Principal Cellist
Organization
Youth Symphony
Description
1st chair cellist in competitive 60-member orchestra. Performed at Carnegie Hall. Taught private lessons to 5 students.
Pro Tip: Highlight competitive selection process, notable performance venues, and sharing musical skills with others through teaching.
Position
Art Director
Organization
School Yearbook
Description
Designed layout for 300-page yearbook. Managed photography team of 8 students. Led creative vision meeting publisher deadlines.
Pro Tip: Show both creative leadership and project management skills. Include team size managed and successful completion of major publication project.
Strategic Tips for Maximum Impact
Go beyond the basics with these expert strategies to make your activities section stand out and tell a compelling story about who you are.
Prioritization Strategy
List most impressive and leadership activities first - admissions officers may not read all 10 entries carefully
Group related activities together to show sustained interest (all music activities, all volunteer work, all STEM pursuits)
Prioritize depth over breadth - sustained commitment and growth are more impressive than many short-term activities
Include activities that tell a coherent story about your interests, values, and character development
Balance different types of activities - academics, leadership, service, creative pursuits, athletics - to show you're well-rounded
Consider what makes you unique compared to other applicants with similar academic profiles
Writing Compelling Descriptions
Start descriptions with strong action verbs (Led, Founded, Organized, Managed, Created, Developed, Implemented)
Include specific numbers and quantifiable metrics whenever possible to show scale and impact
Focus on outcomes and results, not just processes or activities you participated in
Show progression, growth, and increasing responsibility over time within the same activity
Connect activities to your broader interests, values, or intended major when the connection is natural and relevant
Use every available character - descriptions should approach the 150-character limit to maximize information conveyed
Highlight problem-solving, initiative, and leadership qualities even in non-leadership positions
Leadership & Impact Focus
Leadership isn't just formal titles - show initiative, influence, and positive impact on others
Quantify your leadership impact (number of people managed, budget overseen, improvement metrics achieved)
Show how you made things better, solved problems, or created positive change in your organization
Include both individual achievements and contributions to team or group success
Highlight teaching, mentoring, coaching, or helping others develop skills and confidence
Demonstrate consistency, reliability, and follow-through in your commitments and responsibilities
Show how others recognized your contributions through awards, promotions, or increased responsibilities
Time Management & Authenticity
Be completely realistic about time commitments - admissions officers know what's feasible for high school students
Account for seasonal variations in activities (sports have off-seasons, theater has production periods)
Include preparation time, travel time, and related activities, not just core participation hours
Leadership roles and positions of responsibility typically require more time than basic membership
Summer activities and camps should reflect appropriate seasonal timing and duration
Ensure your total time commitments across all activities don't exceed realistic limits while maintaining strong academics
Be honest about when you actually participated - don't claim years you weren't truly involved
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common pitfalls that can weaken your activities section and hurt your application's impact.
❌ Writing Weak, Generic Activity Descriptions
Vague descriptions don't differentiate you from thousands of other applicants with similar activities
✅ Better Approach
Use specific details, concrete numbers, and unique outcomes to show your individual impact and contribution
Example
❌ 'Volunteered at local hospital helping patients' → ✅ 'Assisted nurses with patient care, comforted 50+ families in waiting areas weekly (600 total hours)'
❌ Showing No Leadership Growth or Progression
Static participation suggests lack of initiative, impact, or recognition by peers and adults
✅ Better Approach
Demonstrate how you took on increasing responsibility, improved the organization, or advanced in leadership roles
Example
❌ 'Member of debate team for 4 years' → ✅ 'Member (9th), Tournament Coordinator (10th), Vice Captain (11th), Captain (12th)'
❌ Listing Unrealistic Time Commitments
Inflated hours damage credibility and raise red flags about honesty and time management
✅ Better Approach
Be completely honest about actual time spent and ensure commitments are feasible with academic responsibilities
Example
❌ '20 hrs/week, 52 weeks/year' for school club → ✅ '4 hrs/week, 36 weeks/year' (realistic for school-year activity)
❌ Creating a Laundry List of Minor Activities
Many superficial activities suggest lack of depth, commitment, and meaningful engagement
✅ Better Approach
Focus on fewer activities where you made significant contributions, showed growth, and had real impact
Example
❌ 10 different activities with minimal involvement → ✅ 6-8 meaningful activities with substantial time investment and leadership
❌ Failing to Include Quantifiable Impact and Achievements
Without specific numbers and outcomes, accomplishments seem vague, unimpressive, and potentially exaggerated
✅ Better Approach
Include concrete metrics that demonstrate the scale, success, and significance of your contributions
Example
❌ 'Organized fundraising events for school' → ✅ 'Organized 5 fundraising events raising $12,000 for new library books'
Complete Your Common App Strategy
The activities section is crucial for showing who you are beyond academics. Master every section to maximize your admission chances.