Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 09:25     Subject: sample common app activities list

Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 09:21     Subject: sample common app activities list

How important is the activities list?
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 09:16     Subject: Re:sample common app activities list

My kid is considering offering tips and reviews of this for a flat fee.

-In unhooked to an ivy

-college counselors (not used for kid) said had never thought to do this ** used by kid’s friends and when my kid suggested it to others they asked their college counselors
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 08:52     Subject: sample common app activities list

I remember people suggesting to not waste time explaining obvious club descriptions. Quantify as much as possible. Give details on impact.

For example, there is no need to explain what the Debate Club is. In the title section of the activity, maybe list: Debate Club- position held. In the body section: lead a team of x amount of students to regionals twice. Was in charge of ____.
* I am not familiar with Debate Club!

My kid played soccer. She wrote something similar to this:

Varsity soccer - 4 years - Captain (2 years)

Four year starter. Welcomed and mentored younger team members. Managed and designed new team spirit wear orders. Second team district honors.

Something like that.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 08:42     Subject: sample common app activities list

For help organizing it you can get a free tool here: https://linktr.ee/essentialcollegeconsulting

I love college essay guy for examples and verbs: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-examples-common-application
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 08:42     Subject: sample common app activities list

Where can we find a fully filled out list of examples.

I would also love to see a full common app filled out? Is there a place online or a webinar? I can sign up for to see something from the college counseling firm?
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 06:55     Subject: sample common app activities list

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:AN's approach is soooo cheesy. No teen writes like that. Awful.

I would think it's a really odd AO that gets bogged down in the little description. They have a few minutes per application! They're just trying to look at the activities, not "read a story."


You don’t have to create a story. But standing out can make a difference. The AN free example is cheesy I agree. But having used AN twice the way of thinking and maximizing the space is great.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 21:46     Subject: sample common app activities list

Anonymous wrote:AN's approach is soooo cheesy. No teen writes like that. Awful.

I would think it's a really odd AO that gets bogged down in the little description. They have a few minutes per application! They're just trying to look at the activities, not "read a story."
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 21:42     Subject: sample common app activities list

AN's approach is soooo cheesy. No teen writes like that. Awful.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 20:43     Subject: sample common app activities list

While many on here are AN haters we found her approach to be great. This is a kind of silly example but shows that you can add a little pizazz to the list rather than just resume style. https://www.saraharberson.com/blog/mistakes-common-app-activities-list
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 20:27     Subject: sample common app activities list

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you mean you want to see the section you fill out?

You can create a "parent" account on the common app, which lets you do everything except submit. It's worth doing it early, IMO, to get a sense of what kind of information you should be collecting.


I want to see it filled out by someone even with different interests? What is it supposed to look like? More like a résumé?


The common app doesn't give you any control over the formatting. You list the title and the organization and then have 150 characters to describe what you did.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 19:46     Subject: sample common app activities list

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean you want to see the section you fill out?

You can create a "parent" account on the common app, which lets you do everything except submit. It's worth doing it early, IMO, to get a sense of what kind of information you should be collecting.


I want to see it filled out by someone even with different interests? What is it supposed to look like? More like a résumé?
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 19:34     Subject: Re:sample common app activities list

A kid can view the app just like it appears to the school
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 19:27     Subject: sample common app activities list

Do you mean you want to see the section you fill out?

You can create a "parent" account on the common app, which lets you do everything except submit. It's worth doing it early, IMO, to get a sense of what kind of information you should be collecting.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 19:24     Subject: sample common app activities list

Is there an online pdf that shows a common app with the activities section? Like how does it look?