Helping Your Student Build a Strong College Activities List

As your student embarks on the college application journey, one crucial component to focus on is the college activities list. This section of the application offers admissions counselors a window into your student’s interests, commitments, and character outside of academics. If your teen needs help to craft a standout list, our team of expert college advisors can help! Learn more here.

🎙️Listen to Expert Discussions on the Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast:

• Crafting a College Resume
• Building an A+ Extracurricular Resume
• Demonstrating Leadership in College Applications

Here are key strategies to help your child craft a meaningful and authentic activities list:

🎯 Key Strategies for an Impactful Activities List

1. Emphasize Depth Over Breadth: Encourage your student to highlight 6–10 activities that reflect sustained commitment and growth. Admissions counselors value depth of involvement over a long list of superficial engagements.
2. Recognize Diverse Forms of Involvement: Activities aren’t limited to school clubs. Part-time jobs, family responsibilities, community service, and personal projects all demonstrate valuable skills and dedication.
3. Craft Clear and Quantifiable Descriptions: Each activity description should be concise and impactful. Use strong action verbs and, where possible, quantify achievements (e.g., “Organized a fundraiser that raised $2,000 for local shelter”).
4. Prioritize Activities Strategically: List activities in order of significance, placing the most impactful or relevant ones at the top. This ensures admissions counselors see the most compelling aspects of your student’s involvement first.
5. Align Activities with Future Goals: If your student has a clear academic or career interest, showcasing related activities can reinforce their commitment and passion in that area.

🔍 How You Can Support Your Student

• Facilitate Reflection: Discuss with your child the activities they’ve found most meaningful and how these experiences have shaped their aspirations.
• Assist with Documentation: Help them keep track of roles, dates, and accomplishments to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Encourage Authenticity: Remind your student to be genuine in their descriptions, focusing on personal growth and contributions rather than embellishing for effect.

💬 Final Thought

The activities list is more than a resume; it’s a narrative of your student’s journey, values, and potential. By thoughtfully curating this list, they can present a compelling story that resonates with admissions officers.