Anonymous wrote:please stop. stop trying to curate your kid just because of college admissions.

let them grow and develop organically and BE THEMSELVES.

what is the point of asking this? activity lists are going to be different based on different personalities.

100% agree. Be human, less robotic.

I would think of the activity list as a resume and an opportunity to showcase your child's accomplishments and impact. You want it to tell a story and show depth if you can. We used all 10 slots for my kid. But several were related and on similar themes. Put most impactful things first. Doesn't have to be chronological.

Anonymous wrote:please stop. stop trying to curate your kid just because of college admissions.

let them grow and develop organically and BE THEMSELVES.

what is the point of asking this? activity lists are going to be different based on different personalities.

You are trying to reduce competition.

They should be what the colleges want them to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked my robot out of curiosity:

A complete activity list for a student admitted to a Top 20 private university (T20)—like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, or Northwestern—tends to reflect depth, leadership, intellectual vitality, and impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of what such a list might look like:

📋 Sample Complete Activity List for a T20 Admit
Based on Common App categories with descriptions like those used in real applications.

1. Academic Competition (Math, Science, Writing, etc.)
Activity: Captain, Science Olympiad Team
Description: Led team to state championship; won individual medals in Anatomy & Physiology and Chem Lab; coached underclassmen.

2. Research
Activity: Research Intern, University Biomedical Lab
Description: Conducted independent project on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; co-authored preprint; presented at regional science fair.

3. Leadership/Student Government
Activity: Student Body President
Description: Elected by 1,000+ peers; initiated wellness week and revamped student feedback system; led meetings with admin.

4. Community Service/Activism
Activity: Founder, STEM for All Nonprofit
Description: Created organization providing free STEM kits/workshops to underserved elementary schools; 500+ students reached.

5. Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
Activity: Violinist, Youth Symphony Orchestra
Description: Principal violinist; performed in Carnegie Hall; organized fundraiser concert raising $10K for arts education.

6. Athletics
Activity: Varsity Tennis (Team Captain)
Description: 4-year letterman; led team to regional finals; mentored younger players; MVP junior and senior year.

7. Summer Enrichment
Activity: Scholar, MIT RSI (Research Science Institute)
Description: Selected among 80 students globally; conducted physics research; wrote thesis on quantum simulations.

8. Entrepreneurial/Independent Initiative
Activity: Developer, Mental Health App for Teens
Description: Designed and launched app with 3,000+ downloads; includes journaling and peer support resources.

9. Media/Publication
Activity: Editor-in-Chief, School Newspaper
Description: Oversaw 20-person team; increased readership 2x; published investigative pieces on district budget cuts.

10. Work Experience / Internships
Activity: Intern, Local District Congressman’s Office
Description: Drafted constituent responses, conducted policy research on climate legislation, led youth outreach.

🧠 Key Qualities Seen in T20-Level Activities:
Depth > Breadth: Sustained involvement and progression to leadership or impact is more impressive than just doing many things.

Initiative: Founding something, launching a project, or doing independent research shows initiative and passion.

Selective Programs: Participation in competitive programs (e.g., RSI, TASP, Girls Who Code SIP) stands out.

National/International Recognition: Awards or achievements at high levels signal excellence.

Real-World Impact: Whether through service, apps, research, or organizing events—impact beyond school walls matters.

these are impressive. is this really what people are doing? All of this?

This is a pretty standard HYPSM admit profile.

For T20 outside HYPSM, one would not need all 10 on the list? Maybe 8/10 or 7/20? It’s manageable.

You would be taking a gamble. All 10 and preferably some of these should be better than those listed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked my robot out of curiosity:

A complete activity list for a student admitted to a Top 20 private university (T20)—like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, or Northwestern—tends to reflect depth, leadership, intellectual vitality, and impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of what such a list might look like:

📋 Sample Complete Activity List for a T20 Admit
Based on Common App categories with descriptions like those used in real applications.

1. Academic Competition (Math, Science, Writing, etc.)
Activity: Captain, Science Olympiad Team
Description: Led team to state championship; won individual medals in Anatomy & Physiology and Chem Lab; coached underclassmen.

2. Research
Activity: Research Intern, University Biomedical Lab
Description: Conducted independent project on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; co-authored preprint; presented at regional science fair.

3. Leadership/Student Government
Activity: Student Body President
Description: Elected by 1,000+ peers; initiated wellness week and revamped student feedback system; led meetings with admin.

4. Community Service/Activism
Activity: Founder, STEM for All Nonprofit
Description: Created organization providing free STEM kits/workshops to underserved elementary schools; 500+ students reached.

5. Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
Activity: Violinist, Youth Symphony Orchestra
Description: Principal violinist; performed in Carnegie Hall; organized fundraiser concert raising $10K for arts education.

6. Athletics
Activity: Varsity Tennis (Team Captain)
Description: 4-year letterman; led team to regional finals; mentored younger players; MVP junior and senior year.

7. Summer Enrichment
Activity: Scholar, MIT RSI (Research Science Institute)
Description: Selected among 80 students globally; conducted physics research; wrote thesis on quantum simulations.

8. Entrepreneurial/Independent Initiative
Activity: Developer, Mental Health App for Teens
Description: Designed and launched app with 3,000+ downloads; includes journaling and peer support resources.

9. Media/Publication
Activity: Editor-in-Chief, School Newspaper
Description: Oversaw 20-person team; increased readership 2x; published investigative pieces on district budget cuts.

10. Work Experience / Internships
Activity: Intern, Local District Congressman’s Office
Description: Drafted constituent responses, conducted policy research on climate legislation, led youth outreach.

🧠 Key Qualities Seen in T20-Level Activities:
Depth > Breadth: Sustained involvement and progression to leadership or impact is more impressive than just doing many things.

Initiative: Founding something, launching a project, or doing independent research shows initiative and passion.

Selective Programs: Participation in competitive programs (e.g., RSI, TASP, Girls Who Code SIP) stands out.

National/International Recognition: Awards or achievements at high levels signal excellence.

Real-World Impact: Whether through service, apps, research, or organizing events—impact beyond school walls matters.

these are impressive. is this really what people are doing? All of this?

This is a pretty standard HYPSM admit profile.

For T20 outside HYPSM, one would not need all 10 on the list? Maybe 8/10 or 7/20? It’s manageable.

please stop. stop trying to curate your kid just because of college admissions.

let them grow and develop organically and BE THEMSELVES.

what is the point of asking this? activity lists are going to be different based on different personalities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked my robot out of curiosity:

A complete activity list for a student admitted to a Top 20 private university (T20)—like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, or Northwestern—tends to reflect depth, leadership, intellectual vitality, and impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of what such a list might look like:

📋 Sample Complete Activity List for a T20 Admit
Based on Common App categories with descriptions like those used in real applications.

1. Academic Competition (Math, Science, Writing, etc.)
Activity: Captain, Science Olympiad Team
Description: Led team to state championship; won individual medals in Anatomy & Physiology and Chem Lab; coached underclassmen.

2. Research
Activity: Research Intern, University Biomedical Lab
Description: Conducted independent project on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; co-authored preprint; presented at regional science fair.

3. Leadership/Student Government
Activity: Student Body President
Description: Elected by 1,000+ peers; initiated wellness week and revamped student feedback system; led meetings with admin.

4. Community Service/Activism
Activity: Founder, STEM for All Nonprofit
Description: Created organization providing free STEM kits/workshops to underserved elementary schools; 500+ students reached.

5. Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
Activity: Violinist, Youth Symphony Orchestra
Description: Principal violinist; performed in Carnegie Hall; organized fundraiser concert raising $10K for arts education.

6. Athletics
Activity: Varsity Tennis (Team Captain)
Description: 4-year letterman; led team to regional finals; mentored younger players; MVP junior and senior year.

7. Summer Enrichment
Activity: Scholar, MIT RSI (Research Science Institute)
Description: Selected among 80 students globally; conducted physics research; wrote thesis on quantum simulations.

8. Entrepreneurial/Independent Initiative
Activity: Developer, Mental Health App for Teens
Description: Designed and launched app with 3,000+ downloads; includes journaling and peer support resources.

9. Media/Publication
Activity: Editor-in-Chief, School Newspaper
Description: Oversaw 20-person team; increased readership 2x; published investigative pieces on district budget cuts.

10. Work Experience / Internships
Activity: Intern, Local District Congressman’s Office
Description: Drafted constituent responses, conducted policy research on climate legislation, led youth outreach.

🧠 Key Qualities Seen in T20-Level Activities:
Depth > Breadth: Sustained involvement and progression to leadership or impact is more impressive than just doing many things.

Initiative: Founding something, launching a project, or doing independent research shows initiative and passion.

Selective Programs: Participation in competitive programs (e.g., RSI, TASP, Girls Who Code SIP) stands out.

National/International Recognition: Awards or achievements at high levels signal excellence.

Real-World Impact: Whether through service, apps, research, or organizing events—impact beyond school walls matters.

these are impressive. is this really what people are doing? All of this?

This is a pretty standard HYPSM admit profile.

Anonymous wrote:I asked my robot out of curiosity:

A complete activity list for a student admitted to a Top 20 private university (T20)—like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, or Northwestern—tends to reflect depth, leadership, intellectual vitality, and impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of what such a list might look like:

📋 Sample Complete Activity List for a T20 Admit
Based on Common App categories with descriptions like those used in real applications.

1. Academic Competition (Math, Science, Writing, etc.)
Activity: Captain, Science Olympiad Team
Description: Led team to state championship; won individual medals in Anatomy & Physiology and Chem Lab; coached underclassmen.

2. Research
Activity: Research Intern, University Biomedical Lab
Description: Conducted independent project on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; co-authored preprint; presented at regional science fair.

3. Leadership/Student Government
Activity: Student Body President
Description: Elected by 1,000+ peers; initiated wellness week and revamped student feedback system; led meetings with admin.

4. Community Service/Activism
Activity: Founder, STEM for All Nonprofit
Description: Created organization providing free STEM kits/workshops to underserved elementary schools; 500+ students reached.

5. Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
Activity: Violinist, Youth Symphony Orchestra
Description: Principal violinist; performed in Carnegie Hall; organized fundraiser concert raising $10K for arts education.

6. Athletics
Activity: Varsity Tennis (Team Captain)
Description: 4-year letterman; led team to regional finals; mentored younger players; MVP junior and senior year.

7. Summer Enrichment
Activity: Scholar, MIT RSI (Research Science Institute)
Description: Selected among 80 students globally; conducted physics research; wrote thesis on quantum simulations.

8. Entrepreneurial/Independent Initiative
Activity: Developer, Mental Health App for Teens
Description: Designed and launched app with 3,000+ downloads; includes journaling and peer support resources.

9. Media/Publication
Activity: Editor-in-Chief, School Newspaper
Description: Oversaw 20-person team; increased readership 2x; published investigative pieces on district budget cuts.

10. Work Experience / Internships
Activity: Intern, Local District Congressman’s Office
Description: Drafted constituent responses, conducted policy research on climate legislation, led youth outreach.

🧠 Key Qualities Seen in T20-Level Activities:
Depth > Breadth: Sustained involvement and progression to leadership or impact is more impressive than just doing many things.

Initiative: Founding something, launching a project, or doing independent research shows initiative and passion.

Selective Programs: Participation in competitive programs (e.g., RSI, TASP, Girls Who Code SIP) stands out.

National/International Recognition: Awards or achievements at high levels signal excellence.

Real-World Impact: Whether through service, apps, research, or organizing events—impact beyond school walls matters.

these are impressive. is this really what people are doing? All of this?

Anonymous wrote:STOP this silliness.

??

STOP this silliness.

Anonymous wrote:This topic has been discussed many times before. Regeneron, MOPS, and a couple others, are your ticket to T5. National art competition winners for example Young Arts. National level sports winners, recruited.

But how many entries do you need in the common app?

This topic has been discussed many times before. Regeneron, MOPS, and a couple others, are your ticket to T5. National art competition winners for example Young Arts. National level sports winners, recruited.

Lol you people are too much

I asked my robot out of curiosity:

A complete activity list for a student admitted to a Top 20 private university (T20)—like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, or Northwestern—tends to reflect depth, leadership, intellectual vitality, and impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of what such a list might look like:

📋 Sample Complete Activity List for a T20 Admit
Based on Common App categories with descriptions like those used in real applications.

1. Academic Competition (Math, Science, Writing, etc.)
Activity: Captain, Science Olympiad Team
Description: Led team to state championship; won individual medals in Anatomy & Physiology and Chem Lab; coached underclassmen.

2. Research
Activity: Research Intern, University Biomedical Lab
Description: Conducted independent project on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; co-authored preprint; presented at regional science fair.

3. Leadership/Student Government
Activity: Student Body President
Description: Elected by 1,000+ peers; initiated wellness week and revamped student feedback system; led meetings with admin.

4. Community Service/Activism
Activity: Founder, STEM for All Nonprofit
Description: Created organization providing free STEM kits/workshops to underserved elementary schools; 500+ students reached.

5. Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
Activity: Violinist, Youth Symphony Orchestra
Description: Principal violinist; performed in Carnegie Hall; organized fundraiser concert raising $10K for arts education.

6. Athletics
Activity: Varsity Tennis (Team Captain)
Description: 4-year letterman; led team to regional finals; mentored younger players; MVP junior and senior year.

7. Summer Enrichment
Activity: Scholar, MIT RSI (Research Science Institute)
Description: Selected among 80 students globally; conducted physics research; wrote thesis on quantum simulations.

8. Entrepreneurial/Independent Initiative
Activity: Developer, Mental Health App for Teens
Description: Designed and launched app with 3,000+ downloads; includes journaling and peer support resources.

9. Media/Publication
Activity: Editor-in-Chief, School Newspaper
Description: Oversaw 20-person team; increased readership 2x; published investigative pieces on district budget cuts.

10. Work Experience / Internships
Activity: Intern, Local District Congressman’s Office
Description: Drafted constituent responses, conducted policy research on climate legislation, led youth outreach.

🧠 Key Qualities Seen in T20-Level Activities:
Depth > Breadth: Sustained involvement and progression to leadership or impact is more impressive than just doing many things.

Initiative: Founding something, launching a project, or doing independent research shows initiative and passion.

Selective Programs: Participation in competitive programs (e.g., RSI, TASP, Girls Who Code SIP) stands out.

National/International Recognition: Awards or achievements at high levels signal excellence.

Real-World Impact: Whether through service, apps, research, or organizing events—impact beyond school walls matters.

Can someone post what a complete activity list for a kid admitted to a private T20 school looks like?

Someone earlier suggested 3 activities (pt job, one sport, and one club) was sufficient. I don't think that's enough but wonder if others can post what worked for their kid recently?

This post has a list in it from Command Education for an environmental science and art double major - and it is much longer than 3 minor activities (I've copied it below): https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/1234225.page#29553791

Is this kind of list typical for competitive private T20 schools?

https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/common-app-activities-list/

Below, you’ll find an Example Common Application Activities List!
This fictional student demonstrates a strong hook in environmental science and art. Her hook is conveyed through an impressive mix of in-school extracurriculars, out-of-school activities, summer activities, and hobbies. Not only has she pursued multiple activities in both environmental science and art, but she has also found and studied creative intersections between these fields, through painting murals at local gardens, featuring and selling her nature photography on her personal social media, and studying environmental art at a summer program. By reading her Activities List, admissions officers would be able to envision her continuing to explore these intersections as an undergraduate, as well as contributing to sustainability initiatives and artistic projects and clubs on campus.

Through this highly descriptive and well-crafted Activities List, admissions officers can glean this prospective student’s important priorities and some of her salient characteristics. This student is creatively-minded, self-driven, capable of leading groups and teams, and interested in community-building. It is clear that as a student in NYC, she has taken advantage of the extensive resources at her disposal–universities, museums, nonprofits, and even her own apartment complex–in order to contribute to her community and explore her passions from multiple angles. Lastly, the fact that this student is an accomplished student-athlete speaks to her ability to manage her time effectively and develop an impressive and diverse variety of skills.

Admissions officers always look to see whether a student’s selections for their intended majors align with their hook and Activities List, and in this case, this Activities List would best complement an intended double-major in Environmental Science and Studio Art. Because this student also has an entrepreneurial streak, she could optionally indicate a secondary interest in business if a school offers dual degrees, majors, or minors in business administration for undergraduates. It is helpful to be aware that consistency across every part of the application, from coursework and letters of recommendation to the Activities List, intended majors, and essays, is necessary for building a cohesive narrative.

Activities
Environmental
10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Founder, The Cactus Swap Project NYC
Build community with over 1,000 cactus-lovers in NYC. Share info about plant sales, swaps, and propagation. Hosted planting workshops at 8 schools.
Environmental
10, 11, 12
School
8 hr/wk, 25 wk/yr
Continue

President, Average HS Green Club
Organized inaugural Green Week with themed activities and prizes. Convinced school admin to implement meatless Mondays. Host weekly meetings, trips.
Research
11
Break
35 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Research Intern, Local University
Collected data on health and resilience of trees in NYC saltwater marshes after flooding events. Recommended species and locations for replanting.
Athletics: JV or Varsity
9, 10, 11, 12
School
16 hr/wk, 18 wk/yr
Continue

Co-Captain and Setter, Average HS Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Individually nominated for AVCA All-American Awards and won Average HS’s Spirit Award. Team placed 1st in division and advanced to state semifinals.
Community Service (Volunteer)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 26 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer and Muralist, Beautiful Gardens Nonprofit
Create public art installations including murals and sculptures in community gardens. Designed rooftop herb garden installation for restaurant.
Community Service (Volunteer)
10
Break
6 hr/wk, 8 wk/yr
Continue

Volunteer, Major Urban Art Museum
Greet and direct visitors at information desk and coat check. Work shifts at gift shop and assist customers with check out and locating merchandise.
Art
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 52 wk/yr
Continue

Painter and Photographer, @StudentName on Instagram and Etsy
Create art (paintings, portrait photography, nature photography) and exhibit on personal Instagram. Sell prints and stickers with $500+ in profits.
Art
10
Break
35 hr/wk, 3 wk/yr
Continue

Participant, State University’s Summer Environmental Art Institute
Studied intersections of art and environmental activism. Created multimedia portfolio of 5 works under guidance of professional artist First Last.
Work (Paid)
9, 10, 11, 12
Year
4 hr/wk, 45 wk/yr
Continue

Owner, Dog-Walking Business
Run dog-walking service with my siblings for neighbors in apartment complex.
Student Govt./Politics
11, 12
Year
1 hr/wk, 36 wk/yr
Continue

Class Representative, Average HS Student Government
Elected by peers as 1 of 4 class reps. Create and print posters to promote events, design and order class spiritwear, manage social media.