How to Make Your Extracurriculars Admissions-Proof
Top colleges receive thousands of applications from students with near-perfect GPAs and test scores. So what sets successful applicants apart? The impact and depth of their experiences.
Your extracurricular activities are not just add-ons — they’re essential. They give admissions officers a window into who you are, what matters to you, and how you’ll contribute to their community. Done well, this section of your application can become one of your biggest strengths.
What Counts as an Extracurricular? (More Than You Think)
Many students think only clubs or sports matter, but admissions officers value any meaningful commitment. If it shows time, effort, passion, or leadership, it can count.
At Home & Family Responsibilities
Caring for siblings or relatives regularly
Helping with family business (cashiering, bookkeeping, marketing)
Translation for family/community
Household management (budgeting, cooking, repairs)
Work & Entrepreneurship
Part-time jobs (retail, food service, babysitting, lifeguarding)
Freelance work (graphic design, tutoring, photography, coding)
Running a small business (Etsy shop, lawn care, reselling sneakers, baking business)
Independent Projects & Passions
Blogs, YouTube channels, or podcasts
Creating art, music, or digital design portfolios
Building apps, websites, or gaming mods
Independent research or experiments
Community & Service
Volunteering at food banks, shelters, or libraries
Religious involvement (choir, youth group, community events)
Organizing fundraisers or drives (clothing, toys, books)
Informal neighborhood work (pet sitting, tutoring neighbors, yard work)
Online & Digital Involvement
Running social media accounts for a club, team, or business
Participating in eSports, hackathons, or online competitions
MOOCs or certifications (Coursera, Google, etc.)
Online activism or awareness campaigns
School-Adjacent but Overlooked
Stage crew, lighting, or sound design for plays
Scorekeeping, managing, or filming for sports teams
Peer mentoring or tutoring
Tech support for school events
Special Skills & Hobbies
Martial arts, dance, gymnastics
Music lessons (school or private)
Chess, coding, or robotics outside of school
Public speaking, debate practice, Toastmasters
Why Extracurriculars Matter in Admissions
Admissions officers want more than academic excellence. They’re looking for:
Initiative — Have you started or improved something?
Leadership — Did you create, organize, or guide others?
Impact — What measurable difference did you make?
Passion — Are you pursuing what truly excites you?
Quality Over Quantity
Don’t worry about filling all of the activity slots. Colleges would rather see:
A few long-term commitments where you made real impact
Clear growth in leadership roles (Performer → Section Leader → Drum Major)
Activities that connect with your academic and career interests
Tip: Skip one-off or short-term activities, like something you did for just a week in 9th grade.
Writing Impactful Activity Descriptions
You only get 150 characters per activity for Common App and 180 for ApplyTexas — so every word counts.
Prioritize Impact
Put your most impressive activities first (leadership roles, awards, or results-driven projects).
Write Like a Resume
Use strong action verbs: led, organized, launched, curated. Instead of: helped with tutoring
Try: Tutored 15 students weekly; improved average grades by 20%.
Quantify Everything
Numbers pop. Hours per week, people served, money raised, or membership growth all make your work more concrete.
How to Do the Common App Activities Section Right
Choose the right activity type.
Example: For Marching Band, don’t just choose “Music” — select “Band/Orchestra” for accuracy.
Pro tip: Make sure you scroll through the entire list of ~30 activity categories. Choosing the right category makes your activity stand out more clearly.Be clear in your position title.
List all roles: Performer → Section Leader → Drum Major.Clarify the organization name.
Example: Instead of “HOSA,” write Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).Skip short-term fluff.
Example: Highlight a 3-year service project instead of a single-day event.Maximize the 150/80 characters.
Example: Organized 4 blood drives; recruited 120 donors; provided supplies for 300+ patients.Use the correct verb tense.
Present tense for current roles, past tense for completed ones.Don’t undersell yourself.
This is your highlight reel. Be confident and specific.
Before & After Examples
Before: Member of Debate Club.
After: Competed in 12 tournaments; advanced to state quarterfinals; mentored 5 new debaters.Before: Volunteer at animal shelter.
After: Trained and walked 30+ rescue dogs weekly; created adoption flyers that placed 15 animals in homes.Before: Helped organize food drives.
After: Organized 4 community food drives; recruited 120 donors; reduced waste by 25% with new system.
Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Descriptions
Even if you’ve never used ChatGPT before, you can use it like a writing coach.
How to start:
Go to chat.openai.com or download the free ChatGPT app.
Paste prompt:
Common App: “Improve my activity descriptions for college applications to highlight leadership, initiative, and measurable results. My intended major is ______________________, so list activities related to that field first. Use strong action verbs and include numbers or outcomes when possible. Write concise, resume-style summaries that show clear impact and growth. Format each entry in Common App style: Activity Type | Position/Leadership Description (50 characters) | Organization Name (100 characters).”
ApplyTexas: “Refine my activity descriptions for ApplyTexas to emphasize leadership, initiative, and measurable impact. My intended major is ______________________, so list activities related to that field first. Use strong action verbs and include numbers or outcomes when possible. Write concise, resume-style summaries that show clear impact and growth. Format each entry in ApplyTexas style and keep each under 80 characters.”
Then paste what you did.
Example
Prompt: I was a Student Council member for all 4 years of high school, serving as secretary during junior and senior year. I track all funds raised, membership dues, and report at our monthly meeting. I also participated in community service for 5 hours a month during November and December, specifically during Thanksgiving and Christmas. My committee consists of 10 members, and the student council has a total of 100 members. During the school year, we are in charge of planning homecoming week, prom, campus angel tree project, senior sunrise, and supporting the senior committee with the end-of-the-year senior week.
Output
Option 1 (balanced tone):
Led 10-member committee as Student Council Secretary; managed $3K+ funds, tracked dues, and organized major school & service events.
Option 2 (data-driven):
Student Council Secretary; tracked funds for 100-member team, coordinated Homecoming, Prom, and 10+ community events annually.
Option 3 (service emphasis):
Organized campus events and 10+ service projects as Student Council Secretary, managing finances and leading 10-member team.
Option 4 (leadership growth):
Served 4 years on Student Council, Secretary 2 years; led 10 peers, managed finances, and planned key schoolwide events.
Final Thoughts
Your Common App activities section is more than a list — it’s your chance to show who you are beyond grades and test scores. Every description is an opportunity to highlight leadership, growth, and impact.
Remember:
- Be specific
- Be authentic
- Show results
- Select the right category for each activity
If you approach this section with intention, you’ll stand out as more than just another applicant — you’ll stand out as a future contributor to the college community.
Your activities tell your story. Make sure it’s one worth remembering.