When students think about the college application process, they often focus on grades, test scores, and essays. However, one of the most important sections of the Common Application is frequently overlooked: the Activities and Honors sections. These sections provide colleges with a snapshot of a student's identity outside the classroom. They help admissions officers understand how students spend their time, what they value, and how they contribute to their schools and communities.
The good news? Most students have far more to include than they realize.
🎙️Listen to these conversations on Building an A+ Extracurricular Resume and Best & Worst Extracurriculars For High Schoolers on the Tests and the Rest podcast.
Why Activities and Honors Matter
Admissions officers are building a community, not just admitting students with strong academic records. The Activities and Honors sections help answer important questions:
- What are this student's interests?
- How do they spend their time outside of school?
- Have they demonstrated leadership?
- What impact have they made on their school or community?
- What talents, skills, or passions will they bring to campus?
At many colleges, these sections are reviewed before essays and often receive just as much attention as recommendation letters.
How Many Activities Can I List on the Common App?
The Common App allows students to list up to 10 activities.
Many students initially think they don't have enough activities to fill all ten spots. In reality, they often have more experiences than they realize.
Common Activity Categories Include:
- Athletics
- Clubs and Organizations
- Community Service
- Employment
- Family Responsibilities
- Academic Programs
- Research
- Performing Arts
- Visual Arts
- Religious Activities
- Student Government
- Journalism and Publications
- Internships
- Entrepreneurship
- Hobbies and Special Interests
Activities do not need to be school-sponsored to be included.
For example, students may list:
- Part-time jobs
- Babysitting
- Caring for younger siblings
- Family business responsibilities
- Independent coding projects
- Music lessons
- Church involvement
- Online businesses
- Content creation
- Volunteer work
How Long Can Activity Descriptions Be?
For each activity, students can provide:
- Position/Leadership Title
- Organization Name
- Participation Grade Levels
- Timing of Participation
- Hours per Week
- Weeks per Year
- A description of up to 150 characters
That may not sound like much, but every word matters.
Strong descriptions emphasize:
- Leadership
- Impact
- Accomplishments
- Initiative
- Results
Instead of simply writing:
"Member of Key Club."
A stronger description might be:
"Organized school-wide donation drives; coordinated volunteers and helped raise funds for local charities."
How Many Honors Can I List?
The Common App allows students to list up to 5 honors or awards. These honors can be:
Academic Honors
- National Merit Recognition
- AP Scholar Awards
- Honor Roll
- Academic Letters
- Subject-Specific Awards
School-Based Awards
- Department Awards
- Leadership Awards
- Service Awards
Regional, State, and National Recognition
- Science Fair Awards
- Writing Competitions
- Music Competitions
- Debate Awards
- Athletic Recognition
Community-Based Recognition
- Volunteer Awards
- Religious Awards
- Civic Awards
Students should prioritize honors that are:
- Most prestigious
- Most relevant to their interests
- Most recent
- Most selective
Do I Need a Resume?
While the Common App does not require a resume for most colleges, creating one is highly recommended.
A resume helps students:
- Organize activities and honors
- Track leadership positions
- Record hours and accomplishments
- Identify gaps in their application
- Prepare for scholarship applications
- Assist teachers and counselors in writing recommendations
In fact, creating a resume before starting the Common App often makes the entire application process much easier.
How Long Do Admissions Officers Spend Reviewing Activities and Honors?
The answer surprises many families. At selective colleges, application readers often spend only a few minutes on an initial review. That means the Activities and Honors sections must communicate important information quickly and efficiently.
Admissions officers are looking for:
- Depth over breadth
- Commitment over participation
- Leadership over membership
- Impact over attendance
A student who spent four years deeply involved in a few meaningful activities often stands out more than a student who participated casually in many different organizations.
What Can Students Still Do Before Applications Open?
The summer before senior year is an excellent opportunity to strengthen an Activities and Honors list. Consider:
Pursuing Leadership Opportunities
- Club officer positions
- Team captain roles
- Camp counselor positions
- Peer mentoring
Volunteering
- Community organizations
- Religious organizations
- Local nonprofits
Working a Summer Job
Employment demonstrates responsibility, time management, and maturity.
Completing Independent Projects
- Research projects
- Writing projects
- Coding projects
- Entrepreneurial ventures
Entering Competitions
- Academic competitions
- Essay contests
- STEM competitions
- Art competitions
Attending Academic Programs
- College summer programs
- Leadership institutes
- Specialized workshops
Even a few months of meaningful involvement can add significant value to an application.
Final Thoughts
The Activities and Honors sections are much more than lists of accomplishments—they tell the story of who a student is when they're not sitting in a classroom.
Students should begin gathering information now, including leadership roles, awards, volunteer experiences, work history, summer activities, and family responsibilities. By taking time to thoughtfully curate these sections, students can create a compelling picture of their interests, achievements, and potential contributions to a college campus.
At Seeley Test Pros/LEAP, we encourage students to start this process early. A well-crafted Activities and Honors list not only strengthens college applications but also helps students better understand and communicate their own unique story.
If your student needs help curating their Common App and you would like expert guidance, we invite you to schedule a free discovery call with our college advising team. Learn more here.
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