How to Write a Killer Common App Activities List (With Tips, Examples & Mistakes to Avoid!)
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When Rohan came to us at Galvanize Global Education, he had already written three drafts of his Common App essay. His grades were solid. His recommendations were strong. But one section of his application still felt flat — the Common App Activities List.
At first glance, he thought it was just a place to copy-paste a résumé. But it’s not. That list is a powerful part of your application, one that can highlight impact, passion, and leadership in a format that admissions officers actually read quickly and carefully.
Rohan had done a lot in high school. He just didn’t know how to fit it all into 150 characters per activity. That’s where we came in.
Why the Common App Activities List Matters
You only get 10 slots on the Common App to list what you’ve done outside the classroom. Each has a 150-character limit. That’s not much space, but it’s a huge opportunity.
Admissions officers want to know how you spend your time. The Activities List shows what drives you, what you care about, and how you might contribute to your campus. Grades and essays tell one part of your story. Your activities tell the rest.
When we reviewed Rohan’s list, we saw what a lot of students do: vague descriptions like “helped organize event” or “member of science club.” These phrases don’t show initiative or impact. We needed to rework the language and structure so his real contributions stood out.
Start With Strong Verbs
One of the quickest ways to improve your Common App Activities List is to replace weak verbs. “Participated” doesn’t say much. “Led,” “launched,” “mentored,” and “organized” do.
Here’s one activity from Rohan’s first draft:
> Science Club – Participated in weekly meetings and science fair
Here’s how we rewrote it:
> Vice President, Science Club – Led weekly STEM demos; mentored 8 peers for state fair (2nd place)
Now it shows leadership, initiative, and results — all in one line.
Quantify Wherever Possible
Rohan ran a tutoring program in his neighborhood. At first, he wrote:
> Tutored local kids in math
We asked: How many? How often? Any results?
We updated it to:
> Founder, Community Math Circle – Tutored 12 students weekly; 80% improved by a full grade
Numbers make your work real. They help admissions teams understand the scale and impact of what you did.
Don’t Worry About Titles — Focus on Initiative
Not every student has a title like “president” or “captain.” Rohan didn’t either, for many of his activities. But he still took initiative.
For instance, he didn’t just write poetry — he self-published a collection. That matters.
> Poet & Self-Publisher – Wrote and published 30-poem anthology; sold 150+ copies online
That’s leadership. That’s creativity. You don’t need a formal role to show drive.
At Galvanize Global Education, we work with students to uncover stories like these — ones that seem small but actually show real growth and initiative.
Use the Right Structure
Each entry in your Activities List should follow this format:
Role/Position, Organization – What you did + Impact
Avoid full sentences. Drop filler words. Save space for the important stuff. Here’s another example we helped Rohan refine:
Before:
> Volunteered at an animal shelter and helped with cleaning and dog walking
After:
> Volunteer, Paws Rescue – Walked dogs; led adoption events; helped rehome 15+ pets
The second version is cleaner, tighter, and more impactful.
Mix It Up
Rohan had academic achievements, but he also loved art and music. We encouraged him to include his online sketch store — something he hadn’t considered before.
> Founder, Art by Rohan – Created digital portraits; sold 50+ pieces via Instagram shop
It showed creativity, business sense, and self-motivation. Don’t leave out non-academic experiences that show who you are.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating similar activities (e.g., listing 3 math clubs)
- Using passive language or vague verbs
- Wasting space with obvious phrases (“helped with,” “responsible for”)
- Leaving out context, results, or scale
Admissions officers read fast. Don’t make them work to understand what you did.
Final Tips
- Put your strongest activities first.
- Ask yourself: What did I actually do? What changed because I did it?
- Read your entries aloud. Does each one feel specific and impressive?
We worked through each of Rohan’s 10 activities this way. By the end, his list sounded like him — focused, thoughtful, and full of personality. More importantly, it showed what kind of student and community member he would be.
Need Help With Yours?
At Galvanize Global Education, we specialize in helping students turn generic lists into sharp, strategic highlights. We dig into what you’ve done, help you reframe it, and make sure every activity counts.
If you’re working on your Common App Activities List and want it to reflect the best version of you, we’re here for that.
Reach out today and let’s make your application shine.
