Crafting Impactful Descriptions for Activities on the Common Application

When applying to colleges through the Common Application, an important step is providing detailed descriptions of your extracurricular activities. This essay not only showcases your involvement and achievements but also highlights the skills and personal growth you gained. Here are some tips and techniques to help you craft impactful descriptions that stand out to the admissions committee.

Focus on Concise and Impactful Details

When describing your activities, focus on providing brief but meaningful details about your role, responsibilities, and the impact you made. Be concise and impactful in your descriptions.

Summarize Your Involvements

Summarize your role and responsibilities within each activity in 1-2 sentences. Highlight your unique contributions, leadership positions, or the ways you made an impact:

Example: As a president of the robotics club, I organized and led two community robotics workshops that engaged over 50 students in hands-on learning. With my team, I also secured a grant to build a robot that won first place in the national competition.

Quantify Your Involvement

Where possible, quantify your involvement in terms of hours dedicated, projects completed, or people impacted. This gives concrete evidence of your commitment and impact:

Example: I spent 10 hours per week volunteering at the local animal shelter, assisting with adoption drives, and organizing medical check-ups for over 200 homeless animals.

Develop and Showcase Skills

Explain the skills you developed and how they are relevant to your academic or career interests. This helps demonstrate personal growth and prepares you for future endeavors:

Example: Through my involvement in the debate team, I honed my critical thinking and public speaking skills, which will be valuable in any academic or professional setting.

Highlight Notable Achievements and Recognition

Discuss any awards or recognition you received related to the activity. This showcases your talents and commitment:

Example: I was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award for my contributions to the robotics club and local community.

Discuss Influence on Interests and Goals

Explain how the activity influenced your interests, goals, or future plans. This provides insight into your motivations and passions:

Example: My passion for robotics was sparked by my experience leading the robotics club, and I now plan to major in engineering at college to pursue my goal of designing innovative robotic solutions.

Use Action-Oriented Language

Use vivid and action-oriented language to bring your experiences to life. Avoid vague or overly general phrasing. Here’s an example:

Impassive Approach: I played an important role in planning and executing a community workshop.

Impactful Approach: I orchestrated a comprehensive community workshop that engaged 50 participants, transforming theoretical concepts into hands-on learning experiences.

Go Beyond Just Describing the Activity

Don’t just focus on describing the activity. Discuss what you learned or achieved through it. This makes your activities more relevant to the degree you are applying for and provides insights into your character:

Example: Through my internship at the local law firm, I developed strong research and analytical skills, and I became more aware of the legal challenges facing the community. I plan to pursue a law degree to advocate for social justice and improve access to legal services for marginalized communities.

Be Honest, Sincere, and Genuine

Be honest and sincere in your descriptions. Share your genuine experiences and reflections:

Example: Despite facing challenges due to the financial constraints, I remained committed to mentoring underprivileged students in math. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and the positive impact of community support.

Reflect on What You Achieved and Plans for the Future

Explain why you did this activity and what you learned from it. Discuss your future plans and how you intend to continue or expand these activities at college:

Example: I joined the community garden because I was passionate about connecting people with nature and promoting sustainable living. I learned valuable skills in horticulture and project management. At college, I intend to lead a campus sustainability club to further my efforts in environmental advocacy.

Limit Yourself to 7-9 Activities

Aim for a mix of different activities to showcase a well-rounded personality. My counselor suggested this approach, and it worked well for me:

Example: I applied for 7 activities, including a leadership position in a robotics club, a community service project, a summer internship, a math competition, a theater production, a debate team, and a science fair project. This diverse range of experiences highlighted my strengths and passions.

With these tips, you can create impactful descriptions for your Common Application that not only highlight your achievements but also provide valuable insights into your personal growth and future aspirations.