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How should I list out my extracurriculars on the Common App to make sure they accurately reflect the time and commitment put into them?

Hello again everyone! I wanted to ask another question about ordering extracurriculars in the Activities section of the Common App! I'm scared that I might put them in the wrong order, and that it might not accurately reflect the time commitment/importance of each one! Any help would be much appreciated!

college fall25 college-admissions common-app
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Yoav’s Answer

It is completely understandable to feel anxious about how your commitment is represented on the Common App, as those activities are a huge part of your story, but you have full control over how you present them to best showcase your dedication. The most effective strategy for listing your extracurriculars is to prioritize them by what is most meaningful and impactful to you, rather than strictly by the number of hours or years involved; typically, this means putting the activities where you held significant leadership roles, earned major achievements, or demonstrated the deepest passion at the very top of your list, as these are the ones that will immediately capture an admissions officer's attention . For each activity, use the description boxes to focus on concrete accomplishments and responsibilities—for instance, instead of just saying "Debate Club member," write "Led team to state finals, coached novice members, and researched 10+ policy topics," which makes your time commitment and leadership instantly clear. By thoughtfully ordering your list from most significant to least significant and using strong action verbs to describe your roles, you will create a powerful and accurate reflection of the time and commitment you invested. Be confident in the experiences you've had; they are impressive and worthwhile, and I wish you the very best of luck with your application.
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