Examples of extracurricular involvements and pursuits, suitable for listing within the Common Application’s Activities section, illustrate the diverse range of experiences students can present. These examples might encompass participation in student government, volunteer work at local organizations, engagement in athletic teams, involvement in debate clubs, contributions to school publications, musical endeavors, or independent research projects. The Activities section provides a structured format for detailing the nature of the involvement, the duration of participation, and the student’s specific contributions.
The careful selection and description of activities are important aspects of the college application process. They offer admissions committees a more complete understanding of an applicant’s character, interests, and commitment outside of academic performance. Historically, colleges have used extracurricular engagement as a predictor of a student’s potential contributions to the campus community and future success. Highlighting meaningful involvement can demonstrate valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, time management, and perseverance.