How to Write About Extracurricular Activities in Your College Application

Summary

In this video, Tom Campbell, a former admissions officer, advises against focusing on common extracurricular activities like sports or music as the main theme of a college personal statement. He suggests using the activities list, additional information section, and supplemental essays to highlight these activities instead. Tom provides strategies for standing out, such as focusing on unique contributions and values, and offers tips for writing about common activities in a creative way. The video also mentions resources for further guidance on college essays.

Takeaways

• 📝 Writing about common extracurricular activities in personal statements can be less impactful because many students do the same, making it hard to stand out.
• 🔑 Utilize other application sections more effectively to discuss extracurriculars, as personal statements should focus on unique topics.
• 📋 The activities list is a crucial section to showcase a variety of extracurricular engagements, including both long-term commitments and short-term experiences.
• 💡 For activities that need clarification, provide descriptions that explain what the activity entails, ensuring admissions officers understand its significance.
• 🏅 Establish your unique role or contribution in an activity through the activities list descriptions to demonstrate your individual impact.
• ✍️ Use the additional information section to elaborate on significant extracurriculars that couldn't be fully described in the activities list.
• 📈 Highlight the broader skills, qualities, and values gained from key extracurricular activities in the additional information section to showcase your growth.
• 📘 Supplemental essays offer an opportunity to delve deeper into a specific extracurricular activity, providing context and showcasing initiative and impact.
• 🎨 If choosing to write about a common extracurricular in a personal statement, focus on less common values associated with the activity to provide a fresh perspective.
• 🔗 College Essay Guys offers resources like values exercises and personal statement guides to help students brainstorm and refine their application narratives.

Q & A

Why might writing about a common extracurricular activity in a college application personal statement not be recommended?

Writing about a common extracurricular activity might not be recommended because many students write about such activities, making it hard to stand out. Additionally, there are other spaces in the application to discuss extracurriculars, so repeating this information in the personal statement can feel redundant. Lastly, focusing on a common activity might limit the opportunity to brainstorm more creative and original personal statement topics.

What are the three other spaces in a college application that are better for discussing extracurricular activities?

The three other spaces in a college application that are better for discussing extracurricular activities include: 1) the activities list, which serves as a brag sheet to list all extracurricular activities; 2) the additional information section, where students can provide extra context or details about their activities; and 3) supplemental essays, which are college-specific and allow students to elaborate on significant activities in more depth.

What is the purpose of the activities list in a college application?

The activities list in a college application is a section where students can list any ways they've spent their time outside of class, beyond basic human functions. This includes clubs, sports, volunteer work, and other experiences, providing a comprehensive view of a student's involvement outside the classroom.

How should students approach writing descriptions for their activities list?

Students should first make a list of all activities they want to include and then categorize them into activities they want to explain or establish. Activities that need explanation are those that are not immediately clear from the title, while activities that need to be established are common ones where the student had a unique contribution or role.

What is the additional information section in a college application and how can it be used for discussing extracurricular activities?

The additional information section is a space on certain college applications where students can provide extra information that they believe is important for colleges to know. It can be used to elaborate on significant extracurricular activities, especially when the brief descriptions in the activities list do not sufficiently capture the student's involvement or impact.

Why is it beneficial to use supplemental essays to discuss extracurricular activities?

Supplemental essays are beneficial for discussing extracurricular activities because they provide an opportunity to discuss an activity in depth, showcasing the student's initiative and impact. They allow students to go beyond the surface of what they did and delve into the 'why' behind their involvement, providing a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.

What is the BB's exercise mentioned in the script and how does it help with writing supplemental essays?

The BB's exercise, which stands for 'Best Extracurricular Activity Brainstorm,' is a tool that helps students reflect on various aspects of their extracurricular activities, including what they did, problems they solved, lessons they learned, values and skills they developed, and the impact they had. This exercise provides material for creating a well-rounded supplemental essay that goes beyond describing the activity to discussing its significance and the student's personal growth.

How can students stand out if they still want to write about a common extracurricular activity in their personal statement?

Students can stand out by using the values exercise to identify less common connections or values associated with their activity, focusing on those in their essay. They should avoid cliché values and instead brainstorm unique perspectives that招生官 might not immediately associate with the activity. This approach allows them to present a fresh and distinctive narrative.

What is the advice for incorporating extracurricular activities into the personal statement without making it the main focus?

The advice is to artfully weave in small humble brags about the extracurricular activities into the personal statement without spending too much time detailing them. This approach allows students to mention their involvement without overshadowing the main focus of their essay.

What resources does College Essay Guy offer for students seeking help with their college applications?

College Essay Guy offers online courses, a free guide to the personal statement, and both free and paid opportunities for one-on-one essay and application support. These resources provide students with guidance, thought partnerships, and personalized feedback to enhance their college applications.