MAKE MOST OF YOUR ACTIVITIES ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONs
All college applications require students to list activities they performed in high school. Sometimes, the electronic application provides specific space for the list, while other colleges allow students to upload a short résumé. Regardless, the way an activities list is presented can make a big difference in how admissions offices understand and grade the applicant.
Although there are no perfect rules, sound principles can be employed in completing the activities list. Consider these guidelines:
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Time of participation. As a general rule, place activities of senior and junior years at the top of the list, followed by those done in sophomore and freshman years.
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Depth of achievement. Colleges want to see performance, not just participation. Consider placing activities that show achievement or leadership at the top of the list. Initiative shown by founding an organization is very compelling to admissions representatives. Being a “member” or “participant” is better left unsaid; leave out words that suggest that an applicant is indistinguishable from the herd.
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Region of performance. Colleges want to know whether a student “competes” in a larger arena or a smaller one. International and professional caliber performance is the highest, followed by regional, state, local and school-based activities. Consider placing activities performed on a larger stage above those from smaller venues.
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Time devoted. An activity requiring a significant amount of time should usually precede one that requires only insignificant effort. However, if the student will not continue to pursue a time-consuming activity such as sports, do not lead with that activity. Ceasing to perform something is not impressive.
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Group similar activities together. A longer list is not a better list. A reader’s evaluation occurs at the front of the list, not toward the bottom, so make the list stronger, not longer. Students may group similar activities, such as multiple honor societies, or research, or service, as one activity, making each listing appear more robust.
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Place activities in intelligent order. Don’t confuse admissions officials by making the activities list jump around from, for example, leadership to sports to community service to sports to service. Place the activities in a logical order so the reader can understand the applicant’s strengths. Also use the list to foreshadow the rest of the application. If an applicant will not continue to play a sport in college, but will pursue service after high school, lead the activities list with community service, not athletics.
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Don’t forget hobbies and informal activities. Not all activities are school-sponsored or well-organized. Anything that an applicant does that is unrelated to academics may be included. Sometimes the most unusual activities help distinguish an applicant from the pack.
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Remember the details. Most electronic college applications allow students to include “details” or explanations for each activity. Such explanations are limited to perhaps 40 words, but they can be powerful opportunities to show the depth and breadth of an applicant’s performance. For example, explain that a high rating is given by an international organization, or that sports performance occurred outside your state or country. The details needn’t be written in sentences, so put the most important words first.
With today’s technology, it is easy to make adjustments to the activities list. Using these concepts as guidelines can make a significant difference in the caliber of the activities list and of the college application as a whole.
Robert A.G. Levine, president of Selective College Consulting Inc., can be reached at (813) 391-3760, email BobLeVine@SelectiveCC.com or visit www.SelectiveCollegeConsulting.com