What Admissions Officers Really Look for in the Activities Section of the Common Application

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The Activities section of the Common Application is where students list how they spend their time outside the classroom. Applicants can include up to 10 activities, and each one has just 150 characters to describe their role, accomplishments or impact. Students are also asked to estimate how many hours they spend on each activity and during which grades they participated.

Because it seems straightforward, many students rush through this section, but that is a missed opportunity.

The Activities section is much more than a list of clubs, sports and volunteer work. When completed thoughtfully, it gives admissions officers a glimpse into what matters to you, how you spend your time, what you have learned and the impact you have had on your school, family or community. It also helps colleges infer how you might contribute to campus life. 

At The College Spy, we encourage students to spend more of their limited character count highlighting their impact and what they learned than describing routine responsibilities. For many common activities, admissions officers already have a good sense of what participation involves. If you list "Varsity Field Hockey," for example, they already know you attended practices and games. Repeating those expected responsibilities uses valuable space that could tell them something new.

Instead, focus on what made your experience unique. Did you mentor younger players? Welcome new teammates? Organize off-season workouts? Stay after games to help clean up or carry equipment? These details reveal qualities such as leadership, initiative, kindness and teamwork. They help admissions officers understand the kind of person you are, not just the activities you participated in.

Of course, there are times when explaining what you actually did is important, especially if the activity is uncommon or your role isn't obvious from the title. In those cases, briefly describing your responsibilities provides helpful context. But whenever possible, use the limited space to show your contributions, growth and impact rather than simply listing expected duties.

At a recent conference for college admissions consultants, I attended a panel discussion featuring admissions representatives from Gettysburg College, Towson University and the University of Vermont. While they did not agree on every detail, they shared a remarkable amount of common ground about what makes an Activities section stand out.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways.

Your Activities Should Help Admissions Officers Get to Know You

One admissions representative described the Activities section as an "authentic representation of what the student likes to do."

That may sound simple, but it shifts the focus away from trying to impress colleges and indicates how much admissions officers want to get to know the real you.

As an admissions officer is reading your application, they are are asking questions like:

• Will this student enjoy our campus community?

• Can we picture them finding their place here?

• Does our college offer opportunities that match their interests?

• What experiences and perspectives will they bring to campus?

Rather than checking boxes, colleges are trying to imagine you as a member of their community.

Colleges Want to See More Than Participation

Admissions officers certainly notice involvement, but they are equally interested in what you actually accomplished.

As you describe each activity, think about questions such as:

• Did you hold a leadership position?

• Did you improve the organization in some way?

• Did you create something new?

• Did you mentor younger students?

• What impact did you have?

Even if you never held an official leadership title, you may have made meaningful contributions that deserve to be highlighted. 

Time Management Matters

One point the admissions representatives emphasized was that they pay attention to the hours students report for each activity. The Activities section gives them insight into how applicants balance academics, extracurriculars, work and other responsibilities.

Be realistic when estimating your time commitment. If your hours seem impossible to fit into a week, admissions officers will notice. An honest, accurate picture of your high school experience is far more compelling than one that appears exaggerated.

Polish the Activities Section Just Like Your Essay

Admissions officers encouraged students to give this section the same attention they give their personal essay. Every word counts. They gave the following tips:

• Use concise phrases instead of complete sentences.

• Avoid unnecessary words.

• Skip acronyms unless they are universally recognized.

• Use consistent punctuation.

Should You Submit a Resume?

The panel generally agreed that admissions officers do not mind receiving a resume, but in many cases it is unnecessary.

If your Activities section already provides a complete picture of your involvement, a separate resume may not add much value to your application.

Should You Use the Additional Information Section?

Because each activity description is limited to 150 characters, some students wonder whether they should use the Additional Information section of the application to expand on their extracurricular activities.

This was one area where the admissions representatives did not completely agree.

Some appreciated additional context when it helped explain an unusual activity, a significant accomplishment or a commitment that could not be adequately described within the character limit. Others preferred students to keep the application concise and let the Activities section speak for itself.

Our advice is to use the Additional Information section sparingly. It should not become an extension of your Activities section or a place to squeeze in every detail that doesn't fit. Instead, reserve it for information that genuinely helps admissions officers better understand your application.

Remember that admissions counselors typically spend only 8 to 12 minutes reading an application. Before adding more information, ask yourself: Will this help an admissions officer better understand me, or is it simply more detail? If it doesn't add meaningful context, it's probably best to leave it out.

Does the Order of Activities Matter?

Another topic that generated mixed opinions was the order of activities. Some admissions officers said students should list their most important activities first. Others indicated it made little difference. One representative even noted that at their institution, applications are imported into a different system that may not preserve the student's original order.

Our recommendation is still to follow the directions and place your most significant activities near the top. While order may not matter everywhere, it can help organize your application and emphasize what is most important to you.

Common Questions

Should National Honor Society be listed as an activity or an honor?

If you actively participate in the National Honor Society through service projects or leadership, it makes sense to include it in the Activities section. If your involvement is limited to membership, list it in the Honors section.

How should I report the hours for an overnight activty such as a summer camp or pre-college program? 

It is acceptable to report overnight hours. Admissions officers will understand that it was an overnight program.

Can I combine similar activities?

Admissions officers expressed different opinions about clustering related activities into one entry. Some like the approach, while others prefer separate listings. There is no universally accepted answer, so think carefully about which approach best represents your involvement.

What if I stop an activity during senior year?

If you discontinue a significant activity before senior year ends, consider briefly explaining why if the reason provides helpful context. Perhaps you achieved your goal, your responsibilities changed or scheduling conflicts made continued participation impossible. This information belongs in the Additional Information section.

The Bottom Line

The Activities section is not simply a place to list everything you have done. It is an opportunity to show admissions officers how you spend your time, what motivates you and how you contribute to the communities around you. A thoughtful, well-written Activities section helps colleges picture you on their campus—not just as a student who earned good grades, but as someone who will become an engaged member of their community.

How The College Spy Can Help

Reach out to us at michelle@thecollegespy.com if your student needs assistance choosing activities, is reluctant to get involved or would benefit from professional guidance in completing this section of the application. We are happy to help!