🔍 How to Make Your Activities List Shine – Examples Edition

Ivy Wizard

Jun 13 (edited) • 🎓 Strategy Posts

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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