Jun '25 (edited) • 🎓 Strategy Posts
🔍 How to Make Your Activities List Shine – Examples Edition
Let’s look at how to refine your Common App Activities section for maximum impact.
🧑💼 Position (50 characters max)
Be specific, prioritize leadership, and use parentheses for growth over time.
❌ Member of Magazine Club
✅ Editor-in-Chief (G12); Junior Editor (G10-G11)
❌ Intern
✅ Lead Research Intern (G12); Research Assist. (G11)
❌ Tutoring Volunteer
✅ STEM Tutor, Local Library Program (Ages 10-13)
🏛 Organization Name (100 characters max)
Use full names for known entities; for internal activities, clarify context.
❌ College Lab
✅ Molecular Neurobiology Lab, University of Minnesota
❌ Tutoring Program
✅ Stuyvesant Student-Run Peer Tutoring Program
❌ Health Magazine
✅ Teen Health Today – National Teen Wellness Publication (15K+ Monthly Readers)
✍️ Descriptions (150 characters max)
Use action verbs, quantify results, and emphasize leadership, impact, and initiative. Don't repeat your position in the description.
❌ I have a blog where I post articles.
✅ Founded bilingual science blog; managed team of 12; published 30+ posts; 5K+ monthly readers from 20+ countries.
❌ I built robots with friends and competed.
✅ Led 10-student robotics team to regional finals; oversaw coding, outreach; secured $2K in sponsorships.
❌ I was a science and math tutor helping middle school students with homework.
✅ Tutored 15+ students weekly in algebra/biology; created worksheets; improved average test scores by 20%.
❌ I produced short films and raised money for charity.
✅ Wrote and directed 3 short films screened at local theater; raised $1,200 for charity through ticket sales.
❌ I helped juniors understand their financial aid options.
✅ Compiled database of 100+ scholarships; organized 3 workshops attended by 80+ juniors.
❌ I did translations for a magazine.
✅ Translated over 25 articles from Mandarin to English for non-profit health journal; trained two new volunteers.
❌ I worked in a university lab doing some biology research.
✅ Researched gene mutations affecting memory; co-authored preprint; presented at regional neuroscience fair; audience of 800+ academics
📌 Action Steps
- List everything you've done—don’t worry about formatting yet
- Identify your top-impact activities
- Quantify results and clarify your role.
- Revise with action verbs and strategy.
- Only after that: put them in order of strength.
Drop any questions below 🤍
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🔍 How to Make Your Activities List Shine – Examples Edition
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