High school students often struggle to make their college applications stand out. The Activities List is a key part of the Common App, but many students don't know how to make it shine. The College Essay Guy's epic list of activity list verbs can help fix this problem.
Using strong, specific verbs can transform a dull Activities List into a powerful showcase of a student's talents and experiences. The College Essay Guy's list offers hundreds of action-packed verbs to replace weak ones like "participated in" or "helped with." This simple change can make a big difference in how admissions officers see an applicant.
The epic verb list is easy to use. Students can pick verbs that best describe their roles and achievements in each activity. This helps paint a clear picture of their skills and impact. Active verbs bring experiences to life, making them more memorable to those reading applications.
Key Takeaways
- Strong verbs in the Activities List can make college applications more compelling
- The College Essay Guy's verb list offers many options to describe experiences
- Using specific verbs helps showcase students' unique skills and achievements
Understanding the Activities List
The activities list is a key part of college applications. It shows who you are beyond grades and test scores. A strong list uses clear, active language to highlight your skills and impact.
Components of a Strong Activities List
A good activities list has three main parts. First, it uses strong action verbs to describe what you did. Words like "led," "created," or "organized" pack more punch than "participated." Second, it shows your level of responsibility. Did you start a club? Train new members? Third, it measures your impact with numbers and facts.
For example: "Led weekly tutoring sessions for 15 students, improving their math grades by an average of 10%." This tells colleges exactly what you did and how it mattered. Keep in mind the character count limits. The Common App gives you 150 characters per activity description.
Strategies for Describing Extracurricular Activities
To make your activities stand out, focus on your unique role and achievements. Don't just list club names. Instead, explain what you did and learned. Use the Values Exercise to link your activities to your core values. This helps show why they matter to you.
Include any awards or honors you earned. These prove your skill and dedication. If you had a leadership role, describe it clearly. Did you manage a budget? Plan events? Train others? Be specific about your duties and accomplishments.
Lastly, show growth over time. If you moved up from member to president of a club, say so. This proves your commitment and leadership skills.
Maximizing the Impact of Your Activities
The College Essay Guy's epic list of activity list verbs can help students showcase their achievements. By using strong action words, applicants can highlight their leadership, community service, and non-academic pursuits.
Demonstrating Leadership and Responsibility
Students can use powerful verbs to show their leadership skills. Words like "spearheaded," "coordinated," and "managed" convey authority. For example:
- "Spearheaded fundraising campaign, raising $5,000 for local animal shelter"
- "Coordinated weekly meetings for 30-member National Honor Society chapter"
- "Managed social media accounts, increasing followers by 50%"
These verbs paint a clear picture of the student's role and impact. It's important to quantify results when possible. This gives admissions officers concrete evidence of the applicant's abilities.
Highlighting Community Service and Volunteer Efforts
Community service is a key part of many applications. Strong verbs can make these experiences stand out. Consider these examples:
- "Organized monthly beach cleanups, removing 500+ pounds of trash"
- "Tutored underprivileged youth in math, improving test scores by 30%"
- "Volunteered at local hospital, assisting with patient care for 200+ hours"
These descriptions show initiative and dedication. They also highlight the tangible impact of the student's efforts. This can make a strong impression on admissions officers.
Detailing Non-Academic Pursuits
Non-academic activities are crucial for a well-rounded application. Students should use vivid verbs to describe their passions. For instance:
- "Developed mobile app to help peers manage study time"
- "Composed and performed original violin concerto at state music festival"
- "Engineered award-winning robot for national robotics competition"
These descriptions showcase creativity and skill. They give admissions officers insight into the student's interests and abilities. It's important to highlight achievements and growth in these areas.
Crafting the Personal Statement
The personal statement is a key part of college applications. It lets students share their story and show who they are beyond grades and test scores.
Incorporating the Activities List into Your Essay
Students can use their activities list to add depth to their personal statement. Pick one or two key activities that show growth or impact. Describe what you did and what you learned. For example, if you led a fundraiser for a local charity, explain how it taught you leadership skills.
Use strong verbs to describe your actions. Instead of "participated in," say "organized," "led," or "created." This makes your essay more dynamic and interesting to read.
Link your activities to your goals. Show how they shaped your interests or career plans. This helps tie your past experiences to your future aspirations.
Reflecting on Educational and Career Goals
The personal statement should connect your past experiences to your future plans. Think about what you want to study in college and why. Explain how your high school classes or activities sparked your interest in this field.
Be specific about your goals. Instead of saying "I want to help people," explain exactly how you plan to do that. Maybe you want to become a nurse or start a non-profit.
Show how college fits into your plans. Explain why you need a degree to reach your goals. This helps admissions officers see why you're a good fit for their school.
Remember to keep your tone confident but not boastful. Use clear, simple language to explain your thoughts and plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
The College Essay Guy's list of activity verbs can greatly improve college applications. Students can use these verbs to make their experiences stand out and create a strong impression on admissions officers.
How can incorporating action verbs from the College Essay Guy's list enhance the descriptions of activities in college applications?
Using strong action verbs can make activity descriptions more dynamic and engaging. These verbs help highlight specific accomplishments and show the student's impact. For example, "spearheaded" or "initiated" convey leadership better than "participated in."
What strategies can students use to select the most impactful verbs for their Common App activities list?
Students should choose verbs that accurately reflect their role and contributions. They can brainstorm key actions they took in each activity. Matching these actions to verbs from the list ensures precise and powerful descriptions.
In what ways does the specific ordering of activities on the Common App influence the strength of a student's application?
The order of activities can affect how admissions officers perceive a student's priorities and growth. Placing the most significant or long-term commitments first can create a strong initial impression. Activities that show leadership or unique skills should also be near the top.
How many extracurricular activities should students aim to include on their Common App for a well-rounded application?
Quality matters more than quantity. Students should aim to include 5-10 meaningful activities. These should represent a mix of interests, leadership roles, and long-term commitments. Focusing on depth rather than breadth can create a more compelling profile.
To what extent should students integrate extracurricular activities into their college essays for a cohesive application narrative?
Students should mention key activities in their essays if they relate to the essay topic or illustrate important personal qualities. This integration helps create a cohesive narrative across the application. Essays can provide context and depth that the activities list alone cannot convey.
What are the best practices for crafting compelling descriptions in the activities section of college applications?
Descriptions should be concise yet informative. Students should use strong action verbs and specific details to convey their impact. Quantifying achievements (e.g., "raised $5,000") can make descriptions more powerful. Avoiding jargon and focusing on personal growth and contributions is key.