10 Spots, 150 Characters: How to Maximize the Common App Activities Section

Colleges don’t just want to know what you do in class—they care about what you do with your time beyond it. That’s where the Common App Activities section comes in. This is your chance to show your passions, commitments, and how you spend your time when you're not studying.

What is the Activities Section?

The Common App lets you list up to 10 activities, including clubs, sports, jobs, volunteering, family responsibilities, creative pursuits—basically anything meaningful that takes your time and energy. For each activity, you'll fill out a few key fields:

• Activity Type

• Position/Leadership Description and Organization Name (limited to 50 characters)

• Activity Description (limited to 150 characters)

• Grade levels participated

• Timing of participation (school year, summer, etc.)

• Hours per week and weeks per year

• Intend to continue in college?

  
  

Tips for Filling It Out

1. Be Specific and Concise Space is tight, so every word counts. Instead of saying “Helped with community events,” say “Organized 3 neighborhood clean-up days; led team of 10 volunteers.” Use active verbs and numbers to show impact.

2. Lead With Your Role The position title should reflect your level of involvement. Even if you didn’t hold an official title, clarify what you did. For example, “Founder & Editor, school podcast” is stronger than “Podcast team member.”

3. Group Similar Activities If you’ve done several related activities (e.g., multiple community service projects), consider grouping them under a single entry to save space and show a cohesive story.

4. Use the Description to Show Impact Admissions officers want to see commitment, growth, and leadership. Rather than just listing tasks, explain what your involvement meant. What did you accomplish? What changed because of you?

5. Include Unpaid and Nontraditional Activities Family responsibilities, part-time work, caregiving, or self-taught hobbies like coding or writing can all count. It belongs on the list if it matters to you and takes up time.

6. Don’t Leave It for the Last Minute Crafting this section well takes time. Write drafts, get feedback, and revise. The more effort you put in, the more your activities will reflect the complete picture of who you are.

   
   

The Activities section is more than a list—it’s a story of how you’ve spent your time and what you care about. Use it to your advantage, and let your experiences speak for themselves. For more help completing the activities list, connect with Resume All Day for college essay coaching services.