Anonymous
04/17/2026 16:11
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."
Exactly. I edited my kids' lists to make sure they were clearly written and also to help them use action words to describe accomplishments. I could also reminder them of some things to add that they overlooked. That's it, nothing cutesy.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 15:16
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
I’m always amazed at kids who start these businesses when all they have done is get into an Ivy. They could have been admitted due to awards or LORs or an institutional priority for major. It’s great for the kid, but I have never seen them get anyone else into an Ivy.
I think the point of this one is how to write the ecs. Not the promise of an ivy.
But just because they were admitted doesn't mean they know how to write up ecs. They might have been admitted despite what they did.
Then don’t do it. I think the more important part was that others in the business think the ideas were good.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 14:53
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
I’m always amazed at kids who start these businesses when all they have done is get into an Ivy. They could have been admitted due to awards or LORs or an institutional priority for major. It’s great for the kid, but I have never seen them get anyone else into an Ivy.
I think the point of this one is how to write the ecs. Not the promise of an ivy.
But just because they were admitted doesn't mean they know how to write up ecs. They might have been admitted despite what they did.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 14:48
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
I’m always amazed at kids who start these businesses when all they have done is get into an Ivy. They could have been admitted due to awards or LORs or an institutional priority for major. It’s great for the kid, but I have never seen them get anyone else into an Ivy.
I think the point of this one is how to write the ecs. Not the promise of an ivy.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 14:17
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote: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
I’m always amazed at kids who start these businesses when all they have done is get into an Ivy. They could have been admitted due to awards or LORs or an institutional priority for major. It’s great for the kid, but I have never seen them get anyone else into an Ivy.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 14:13
Subject: sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote: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
Be wry careful doing this now. AOs are tired of it.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 10:58
Subject: sample common app activities list
Anonymous
04/16/2026 19:27
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
How much?
Flat fee $150. It would include showing what kid did and what to include for your own app.
I would pay that.
If you create an email that you can post here and the ask be removed, we can reach out.
Anonymous
04/16/2026 18:01
Subject: sample common app activities list
Most of the professional common app activities reviews from the large national firms are around $1000 - they usually spend for five hours on it
Anonymous
04/16/2026 18:00
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
How much?
Flat fee $150. It would include showing what kid did and what to include for your own app.
I would pay that.
Anonymous
04/16/2026 17:31
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
How much?
Flat fee $150. It would include showing what kid did and what to include for your own app.
I wonder if people would pay for this?
We will see! I know the information is very good, and I don’t think it is a lot of money all things considered.
Anonymous
04/16/2026 17:08
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
How much?
Flat fee $150. It would include showing what kid did and what to include for your own app.
I wonder if people would pay for this?
Anonymous
04/16/2026 09:56
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
How much?
Flat fee $150. It would include showing what kid did and what to include for your own app.
Anonymous
04/16/2026 09:52
Subject: sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote:OP here: Is this a good model?
https://5steps.academy/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GL_-15-Successful-Activities-Lists-eBook.pdf
Yes. Combine w college essay guy and AN suggestions and you have a winner. The verbs are important to show action.
Anonymous
04/16/2026 09:27
Subject: Re:sample common app activities list
Anonymous wrote: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
How much?