How to Fill Out the Activities Section on College Applications (Without Stressing Out)

One of the most common questions students ask during college application season is: “What should I include in the activities section?” Whether you’re applying through the Common App, UC Application, or Coalition/Scoir, the activities list is your chance to show colleges what you do outside the classroom—and yes, it matters.

Check out the latest episode of the White Coat Club to see the complete breakdown of what you need to know.

How Many Activities Can You Include?

It depends on the platform you’re using:

• Common App: Up to 10 activities
  
  → Descriptions limited to 150 characters

• Coalition or Scoir: Up to 8 activities
  
  → Descriptions can be up to 253 characters

• UC Application: Up to 20 entries
  
  → Includes both activities and awards, so plan accordingly
  
  → You get up to 350 characters per description

What Counts as an Activity?

Almost anything you’ve done during high school that demonstrates commitment, skill, leadership, or passion can count. Here are some examples:

• School clubs and extracurriculars

• Volunteering or community service

• Job shadowing or internships

• Research projects

• Personal or passion projects

• Paid work or part-time jobs

• Summer programs

• Hobbies (yes, even video editing or building robots)

• Major family responsibilities (e.g., caregiving, helping run a family business)

 Can I Include Middle School Activities?

No. Regardless of how impressive something was, only include activities from grades 9–12. Colleges are looking for more recent involvement.

What Order Should I List Them In?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Ideally, list them in an order that balances:

• Importance to you

• Time commitment

• Relevance to your intended major or overall application theme

Make it make sense for your story.

What If I Don’t Have Many Activities?

Don’t panic. Think outside the traditional “club president” box. Non-traditional experiences like:

• Babysitting

• Tutoring siblings or others

• Coaching

• Freelancing

• Helping out at a family business

…can all demonstrate leadership, responsibility, and initiative.

What If I Have Too Many?

It’s common to have more activities than space allows. Here’s how to handle it:

• Combine similar activities (e.g., multiple hospital shadowing experiences)

• Focus on the ones that align with your essays or future goals

• Prioritize depth over breadth

Remember: quality > quantity.

 Can I Combine Activities?

Yes—if they’re similar in nature. For example:

• Playing for both your school and club soccer teams

• Volunteering at multiple hospitals

• Participating in several Model UN conferences

Just make sure the combined description still makes sense.

Can I Use Acronyms?

Only if they’re widely recognized. For example:

✅ HOSA

✅ NHS

✅ DECA

But avoid using niche acronyms your reader won’t understand. Always assume the reader isn’t familiar unless it’s a national organization.

How Do I Describe My Activities?

Use strong, active verbs. You want to convey action, leadership, and results.

• Instead of: “Helped organize events”
  
  Say: “Led logistics and outreach for school-wide fundraising events”

• Instead of: “Worked on a project”
  
  Say: “Developed and launched a mobile app for local nonprofit”

Keep it specific, measurable when possible, and results-oriented.

Can I Lie or Exaggerate?

Absolutely not. Lying on applications can result in rescinded offers. Be honest with your hours and commitments. Admissions officers can usually tell when something doesn’t add up—like doing 80 hours of activities per week on top of school and sleep.

Final Thoughts

The activities section is your chance to bring your story to life beyond grades and test scores. Think strategically, stay honest, and focus on what reflects your growth and interests. Whether you have 3 activities or 30, it’s about showing who you are and what you care about.