How Colleges Look at Activities

Today we’re talking about your activities. In the Common Application, and many other applications, there’s space for you to list up to 10 activities. And what is it colleges are looking for exactly? Well, they’re looking for your passion and your interests to see what you really care about and to see that you are being productive with your time. You know, balancing things like your schoolwork, and recreation like video games and hanging out with your friends, with also doing something meaningful, whether it’s enriching artistically, or towards your major, or helping your community in some way that just matters.

And, very importantly, they’re looking to kind of see a through line between what you’re doing now and what you will do on their college campus. What kind of member of their student body will you be? Will you get involved in organizations? And if you do, you’re more likely to make friends and you’re more likely to stay at that college.

Also, they like to see that you’re involved in leadership, which means that when the leaders for these organizations graduate, maybe you’ll take over and keep these activities going for other students behind you. But in general, colleges like to see a commitment to these activities. So at least 2, but 3 or more years preferred, of a particular activity. Which isn’t to say you should stick with an activity if you feel you’ve outgrown it, but it is to say you can’t just load up on activities senior year and say, see, I do stuff. So get going on things. See what else you can explore within the things you love so you have a well-rounded activities section when it’s time to apply to college.

And if you have questions, call us at (732) 556-8220. We are here to help.