{"id":5582,"date":"2026-09-18T00:48:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T00:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordvice.com\/blog\/?p=5582"},"modified":"2026-09-18T00:48:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T00:48:43","slug":"common-app-activities-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordvice.com\/blog\/common-app-activities-list\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write the Common App Activities List: Tips and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Category:<\/strong> Admissions
Estimated read time:<\/strong> 7\u20138 min<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Common App activities list<\/strong> should clearly explain your actual involvement, rather than embellishing each commitment with grand titles. Focus on the facts, whether you’re caring for relatives, working weekends, or engaging in a hobby. Revise until your responsibilities are easy to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Common App Activities List?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Common App activities section allows first-year applicants to outline interests and responsibilities beyond class, including jobs, clubs, hobbies, and community engagement. (Common Application<\/a>) In its announcement for the 2026\u20132027 season, Common App introduced the name \u201cActivities and Experiences.\u201d (Common Application<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider this list a factual overview, not a collection of miniature essays. Each entry should detail the experience and explain your involvement. Your personal essay allows for reflection on a story or idea. Refer to Wordvice\u2019s Common App essay prompts guide for that task<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During brainstorming, consider responsibilities at home and organized activities. Common App explicitly includes family responsibilities among eligible experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026\u20132027 Update: Activities and Experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In its 2026\u20132027 season announcement, Common App revealed that the Activities section of My Common Application will be renamed Activities and Experiences<\/strong>, featuring updated fields to capture a broader range of commitments beyond high school. In this guide, we refer to this section as the \u201cCommon App activities list.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common App Activities Fields and Character Limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Common App\u2019s 2025 activities guide, available in its first-year toolkit, specifies these limits. These apply to first-year activity entries only, excluding transfer forms or college-specific supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Field<\/th>Maximum<\/th><\/tr>
Position\/Leadership description<\/td>50 characters<\/td><\/tr>
Organization name<\/td>100 characters<\/td><\/tr>
Activity description<\/td>150 characters<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before submitting, check the field labels, required information, and character limits in your application. You can enter a maximum of 10 activities. Hours per week and weeks per year are reported separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The limit is 150 characters, not 150 words<\/strong>. Our example counts spaces and punctuation. You do not need to use every character. Save description space by omitting information already supplied in other fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose and Order Your Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For your Common App activities list order<\/strong>, begin with what matters most to you. Consider sustained involvement, responsibility, time commitment, and the importance of your contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A demanding job or caregiving role may deserve a higher position than a club with occasional participation. Avoid automatic rules such as placing all research first or all household responsibilities last. Rank your actual experiences, not their category labels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Write a Clear 150-Character Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gather the facts before shortening anything: tasks, frequency, audience, outputs, and your responsibility level. Choose the clearest action, provide relevant context, and explain your contribution. Furthermore, remove repeated information and check the character count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number is useful only when it is accurate and informative. Without one, describe a routine, deliverable, or responsibility. \u201cMaintain the club\u2019s equipment loan log\u201d is more specific than \u201chelp the club.\u201d Use short clauses when helpful; you do not need to force every detail into one sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common App Activity Description Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These 15 fictional Common App activity examples<\/strong> illustrate editing choices, not the submissions of successful applicants. Each revision preserves the original facts. Counts include spaces and punctuation in the revised description only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Family responsibilities: sibling care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Sibling caregiver
Organization:<\/strong> Family responsibilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> On weekdays, I pick up my sister from school and practice reading with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (72 characters):<\/strong> Pick up my sister from school and practice reading with her on weekdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The revision maintains the routine and responsibilities without additional introductory wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Family responsibilities: supporting a grandparent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Family caregiver
Organization:<\/strong> Family responsibilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> I help my grandfather by placing his grocery orders online and coordinating transportation for his physical therapy appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (93 characters):<\/strong> Order groceries online for my grandfather and arrange rides to his physical therapy sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Clearly defined tasks outline the assistance offered without suggesting the need for professional medical intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Family responsibilities: language support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Family translator
Organization:<\/strong> Family responsibilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> I translate school notices into Korean for my parents and help them in composing emails to teachers in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (107 characters):<\/strong> Translate school notices into Korean for my parents and help them in writing emails to teachers in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The wording preserves the integrity of both languages while clearly differentiating between translation and writing support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Paid work: bakery assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Bakery assistant
Organization:<\/strong> Maple Street Bakery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> At Maple Street Bakery, I pack customer orders, label allergens, and clean the counter at closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (72 characters):<\/strong> Pack customer orders, label allergens, and clean the counter at closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Removing the repeated business name creates space for focusing on actual job duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Paid work: bicycle shop assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Shop assistant
Organization:<\/strong> Riverside Bicycle Shop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> My job involves documenting repair requests, organizing spare parts, and calling customers when their bicycles are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (97 characters):<\/strong> Record repair requests, organize spare parts, and notify customers when their bicycles are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Direct verbs clarify the job without suggesting the student performs repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Volunteering: seed library<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Volunteer
Organization:<\/strong> Community Seed Library<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> Every spring, I sort donated seeds and prepare 200 labeled packets for visitors at our community seed library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (67 characters):<\/strong> Sort donated seeds and label 200 packets every spring for visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The revision retains a meaningful output and timeframe while removing redundant information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Volunteering: technology help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Technology volunteer
Organization:<\/strong> Oak Lane Community Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> As a technology volunteer, I assist during Saturday drop-in sessions by showing older residents on adjusting phone settings and making video calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (105 characters):<\/strong> Guide older residents in changing phone settings and making video calls during Saturday drop-in sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The action takes precedence, ensuring that the audience and session format remain clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Clubs: active participation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Member
Organization:<\/strong> Westbrook High School Board Game Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> As a member of the board game club, I explain rules, set up games, and welcome new members during weekly meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (81 characters):<\/strong> Explain rules, set up activities, and welcome new members during weekly meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Concrete participation replaces a repeated title without creating a leadership role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Clubs: coordination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Club coordinator
Organization:<\/strong> Haneul High School Astronomy Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> As club coordinator, I book classrooms, track equipment loans, and send reminders for monthly observing nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (91 characters):<\/strong> Reserve classrooms, track equipment loans, and send reminders for monthly observing nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The description emphasizes the elements of coordination instead of repeating the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Research: supervised laboratory work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Student research assistant
Organization:<\/strong> University Plant Science Lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> In my role as a student research assistant, I was responsible for labeling leaf samples and incorporating measurements into the lab spreadsheet under a graduate student’s supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (108 characters):<\/strong> Labeled leaf samples and added measurements into the lab spreadsheet under a graduate student’s supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Maintaining supervision details avoids overstating research independence or claiming discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Research: team history project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Student researcher
Organization:<\/strong> School Neighborhood History Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> Our team created a neighborhood history exhibit. My role involved transcribing six recorded interviews and checking dates in newspaper archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (116 characters):<\/strong> Transcribed six recorded interviews and checked newspaper archive dates for our team’s neighborhood history exhibit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The revision separates the student’s research tasks from the collaborative exhibit created by the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Independent project: transit website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Website developer
Organization:<\/strong> Independent Transit Website<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> My independent project is a website meant for showing local bus timetables; I also fix broken links when the transit agency changes its pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (96 characters):<\/strong> Built a local bus timetable website; fix broken links when the transit agency updates its pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Past and present tenses distinguish the completed build from ongoing maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Sports: cross-country running<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Team member
Organization:<\/strong> Eastfield High School Cross Country<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> Throughout the season, my activities on the cross-country team include participation in training sessions, keeping a running log, and helping first-year runners learn warmup routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (125 characters):<\/strong> Train with the team, keep a running log, and assist first-year runners in acquiring warmup routines as the season progresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Routine participation and peer support provide substance beyond accolades or rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Arts: guitar practice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Guitarist
Organization:<\/strong> Independent Music Practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> I am very dedicated to practicing fingerstyle guitar skills after school, and I record pieces so I can listen for timing mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (93 characters):<\/strong> Practice fingerstyle guitar skills after school; record pieces to review any timing mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> The practice method communicates a sense of engagement more clearly than simply claiming commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Hobbies: sewing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Role:<\/strong> Sewing hobbyist
Organization:<\/strong> Personal Sewing Projects<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before:<\/strong> My weekend hobby is sewing, which involves mending relatives’ clothing and adapting sewing patterns to make reusable bags from leftover fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After (111 characters):<\/strong> On weekends, I mend relatives’ clothing and adapt sewing patterns to create reusable bags from leftover fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it works:<\/strong> Specific uses and materials explain the hobby without inventing environmental impact figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Mistakes and International Student Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Avoid repeating titles, using unfamiliar acronyms, or compressing descriptions into strings such as \u201corg mtgs & coord vols.\u201d Eliminate redundancy while maintaining clarity. Keep numbers accurate and distinguish your contributions from your team\u2019s results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For international applicants, focus on responsibility rather than prestige. In Example 9, \u201cclub coordinator\u201d may describe a Korean \ucd1d\ubb34 (chongmu<\/em>) who books rooms and tracks equipment. \u201cClub president\u201d would change the role. Add a short English explanation of an unfamiliar organization when appropriate, ensuring that the name reflects its true nature without exaggeration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Checklist and FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do I need 10 activities?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No. Ten is the maximum, not mandatory. Omit unnecessary words. (Common Application<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should I write without a formal title?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describe what you actually do. Where the form requests a role description, use an accurate label such as \u201cfamily caregiver\u201d or \u201cmember,\u201d avoiding invented titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How should I estimate my time?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common App allows a reasonable estimate when exact records are unavailable. (Common Application<\/a>) Use calendars or shift records and average your active weeks rather than reporting your busiest week as the norm. For example, 60 hours across 20 active weeks averages 3 hours per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is Additional Information useful?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common App allows additional context about an activity. (Common Application<\/a>) Reserve it for necessary explanations, such as why caregiving interrupted another commitment. Do not turn it into a second activities list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before submitting, check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n