Book a session for the Common App Activities List

The Activities List on the Common App is where I recommend Juniors start working once the school year ends. Developing the list of ten activities helps the rest of the application take shape. It reveals themes that you can carry through the essays. Some people refer to this as your "narrative," or your "story."

Sign up now for a one-on-one workshop for this portion of the Common App. Contact me through the link here.

Now for some advice about filling out this part of the application. It takes time to think through what you want to include, the order of the items, and how you describe each activity. So be prepared for multiple drafts and revisions. Here's what you're asked to fill out:

• Activity type: There are a lot of options here. This includes obvious choices like sports teams, music and work. But there are other options too, like "Religious" and "Family Responsibilities." There's also a catch-all "Other Club/Activity," so there's a way to fit in almost anything that you spend a significant amount of time doing.

• Position/Leadership description: You're limited to 50 characters. If you have a title, be sure to show that here.

• Organization name: Limited to 100 characters.

• Activity description: This is perhaps the most important part. It's where you show what you accomplished. You're limited to 150 characters.

• Participation grade levels: In other words, how many years have you been involved with this activity. If you can show consistency over several years, that's great. But this isn't necessarily required.

• Timing of participation: Was this something you did during school, during vacations, or year round?

• Hours spent per week: This is self-explanatory. Just give your best approximation.

• Weeks spent per year: Same as above.

• Do you intend to participate in a similar activity in college: This is a yes or no answer. If you are able to say that you want to continue in college, this is a helpful way to show the schools what you will be doing once you're on campus.