Common College Application Activities -- what should I list?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around what activities students should list on their college applications, specifically within the context of the Common Application. Participants explore various types of activities, including academic, volunteer, employment, athletic, and artistic pursuits, and how these can reflect a student's character and experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that taking online physics classes since 9th grade could be listed as an activity, indicating initiative.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of balancing different types of activities, such as academics, athletics, and community service, when selecting what to include on applications.
  • A reference is made to a Stanford admission director's comments on the diverse qualities and experiences that applicants should showcase, including creativity, problem-solving, and community engagement.
  • Participants discuss the value of maintaining a record of activities throughout high school to aid in the application process.
  • A comprehensive list of potential activities is provided, covering various categories such as academic competitions, volunteer work, employment, sports, church activities, and music, which may inspire students to reflect on their own experiences.
  • One participant humorously expresses surprise at the extensive list of activities, questioning how a student could manage schoolwork alongside such a busy schedule.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of showcasing a breadth of activities on college applications, but there are varying opinions on which specific activities are most impactful and how to balance them effectively. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal approach to listing activities.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the subjective nature of what constitutes an impressive activity and the potential dependence on individual definitions of success and engagement. There is also an acknowledgment of the varying levels of academic credentials among students, which may influence their choices in listing activities.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing college applications, educators advising students on application strategies, and individuals interested in understanding the college admissions process may find this discussion beneficial.

Biscuit
Messages
60
Reaction score
1
I am applying to OSU and when filling out the common app there are 10 slots for activities. I have taken online physics classes since the 9th grade. Would this be something I could put down as an activity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When we work with students on the common application (and others) we have them make a long list of every possible activity, then we help them trim it down to the most impressive things, trying to balance academic prowess, athletics, leadership, volunteering, etc.

A student who has a very high ACT score, GPA, and academic honors and awards would probably list fewer academic activities than a student with academic credentials that are merely good.
 
Associate dean and director of admission at Stanford made this comment about the student of the students who applied in 2016:
“Throughout our evaluation process, we met amazing young people from around the world,” she added. “They showed highly developed ability for problem-solving and self-expression. Some brought exceptional creativity and talent, others demonstrated entrepreneurship and the vast majority of applicants were deeply engaged in service to others. We were moved by personal stories of courage, resilience and character. It was extremely difficult to choose so few from among so many impressive candidates.”
Almost 44,000 applied for a little under 2100 spots. Fifty years ago, the University was far less selective. My grades were good, my SAT scores almost perfect, and my references superlative, but I was in the lower part of the group considered for acceptance. I was told later that I was selected because my activities showed I had a rich life beyond academics. This still holds true at Stanford and Harvard and probably holds true at other colleges. Your activities should reflect that there is breadth to the person you are. Taking online physics classes shows initiative and I would put that down. At the same time, I would include activities that reflect community service (colleges like that). Surfing--the ocean kind-- caught the committee's attention in my case. In case, Activities gives them a chance to see things that might set you apart from equally academically qualified applicants.
 
We usually encourage students we mentor to start keeping written records of their activities, so they don't have to try and remember everything a few days before their applications are due. Here is a compilation from a number of our students that might give you some ideas and/or jog your memory. We work with students we mentor starting in the 9th grade (or when the mentoring relationship begins) to help ensure they have a lot of activities to choose from, first to enrich their lives and high school experiences. Second, to help at scholarship time.

Academic Activities
Broadcom MASTERS Finals (9th grade), Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington DC
ISEF Finals (11th grade)
ISEF Finals (12th grade)
ISEF-affiliated state science fair (9th-11th grades)
ISEF-affiliated regional science fair (9th-12th grades)
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (9th-11th grades)
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finals (11th grade)
Scrabble, Hasbro on-line (9th grade, High Score 593, 127 Bingos)
Scrabble, Internet Scrabble Club (9th grade, 67-31 Won-Loss, 853 ISC rating)
Scrabble, Internet Scrabble Club (10th grade, 61-30, 1173 ISC rating)
Scrabble, Internet Scrabble Club (11th grade, 67-47, 1206 ISC rating)
Scrabble (local in-person Scrabble Clubs (9th-11th grades)
Quiz Bowl, Captain (10th grade, 16-4 Won-Loss)
Knowledge Master Open, Captain (9th grade, First place in state)

Service/Volunteer Activities
Volunteer Quiz Bowl Reader (10th - 11th grade)
Voluntary creel survey worker for creel surveys conducted on Louisiana estuaries for LSU-approved research projects. Over 1200 specimens weighed and measured. (9th-12th grades)
Volunteer role in crime reconstruction for Innocence Project (10th grade)
Facility Development Volunteer for Areté Training Group (non-profit organization, Louisiana, 10th-11th grades)
Volunteer fish tagging for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (10th-11th grades)
Food preparation for Hunters for the Hungry (10th grade)
Invited peer reviewer for Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture (10th grade)
Elmer's Island Clean-up Volunteer (10th grade)
Cameron Parish Fishing Area Clean-up Volunteer (11th grade)

Employment Activities
Research Assistant, BTG Research (9th-12th grades)
Assistant Fencing Instructor, local fencing center (10th-12th grades)

Athletic/Sporting Activities
Tennis (10th-12th grade)
Ultimate Frisbee (9th - 12th grade)
Ice Skating (10th grade)
Laser Tag (9th -10th grade)
Mini-golf (9th – 12th grade)
2014 Salty Cajun Fishing Tournament (10th grade)
Kayaking and Kayak Fishing (9th - 11th grade)
2015 Ride the Bull Kayak Fishing Tournament (10th grade)
Fencing, Epee (10th - 12th grade)
Boating Safety Certification, US Coast Guard (10th grade)
Project Appleseed (9th grade)
Savage Shooters Rifle Matches (10th – 11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification F-Class Rifle (9th -12th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification Rimfire Rifle (9th -11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification High Power Rifle Sporting (11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification Pistol (10th -11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification Defensive Pistol I (11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification Defensive Pistol II (11th grade)
NRA Marksmanship Qualification Air Pistol (10th grade)
F-Class Precision Rifle (9h grade, 11th – 12th grade)
Air Pistol (9th - 10th grade)
Air Rifle (9th - 10th grade)
NRA Women on Target Rifle Matches (11th - 12th grade)
Benchrest Rifle (10th grade)
Apprentice Instructor, NRA Basic Pistol (10th grade)

Church Activities
Church Youth Group Summer Trip (9th - 12th grade)
Christian Life Fellowship Youth Trip (9th - 10th grade)

Music Activities
Bassoon (9th - 10th grade)
Clarinet (10th grade)
Vocal Music Group (9th grade)
Viola (11th - 12th grade)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dishsoap
Dr. Courtney said:
from a number of our students
Whew, I was glad to see this when I went back and re-read your introductory paragraph. I was thinking, "how in heck did this kid have any time for schoolwork?" :wideeyed:
 

Similar threads

Will a D in AP Physics C First Semester Impact My College Acceptances?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Admissions How to improve graduate school applications after college?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Studying Should I drop my dreams? (Daydreamer with underachieving abilities)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Admissions Latebloomer with many past mistakes applying to graduate school
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Admissions Should I submit an 840 PGRE in my applications to top US PhD programs?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Schools Which College Should I Choose for a Career in Fusion System Design?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Schools Is a top physics grad school possible with a lower tier undergrad?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Admissions Should I enroll in college as a freshman or transfer as a junior?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Admissions Comments on my physics PhD applicant profile
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K