How To Fill Out The Common App ACTIVITIES SECTION (with EXAMPLES!)

Here's a quick video on general pointers for the common app activities section and the examples from my common app. I'll show you exactly how to fill out the common app activities section while detailing mistakes that you shouldn't make.
Great Activities Resource: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/...
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Welcome to my channel - College Tips From the Almost Astrophysicist! I'm Priya and I'm here to help you get into college. I'm a University of Chicago grad with an Astrophysics degree that currently works as a Data Scientist and I want to break down the college application process and tackle all of the misconceptions about college for you! Let me know in the comments section down below if you have any video requests, or just want to say hi! :)
LinkedIn: / priya-l-520311145
Instagram: / plingutla

Пікірлер: 57

  • @CodeCrochet
    @CodeCrochet Жыл бұрын

    This is extremely helpful! Thank you so much!!!❤

  • @ritachistyakova2717
    @ritachistyakova27172 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much! Youre video is super-helpful! Im sure about my application thanks to you! Im so grateful! xoxo

  • @pritikamodhukuru7998
    @pritikamodhukuru79983 жыл бұрын

    Was just looking for a video on this and you posted, tysm

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Of course, glad I got the timing right and could help you! :)

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist
    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist3 жыл бұрын

    GOOD LUCK!! You can do it! Don't hesitate to ask me any questions or drop a comment for a video request! :)

  • @pritikamodhukuru7998

    @pritikamodhukuru7998

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was wondering if you could make a video about your career path and becoming a data scientist!

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    @pritika Yes I would love to make a video on becoming a data scientist! Adding it to my list. :) Thank you for your suggestion!

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    @kanika - oh of course!! I’m big on organizing and taking notes. I’m adding the suggestion to my list, that sounds like it’ll be a fun one to film as well. :)

  • @spifuntastic621
    @spifuntastic6213 жыл бұрын

    Great!! Thanks a lot for this video! :D

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Of Course Akki!!! I’m glad that it may help you!

  • @wouldyoulikesometea7203
    @wouldyoulikesometea72033 жыл бұрын

    Thank you sm for this video!! It's super helpful for all of us early applicants doing the activities section last minute lol. I have a question about an activity I'm considering putting on my common app... This year I am a TA/Lab Tech for my AP chem instructor, but I'm not sure if I should include this in the activity section since it is technically something I do during one of my hours in the school day (as an independent study). Should I include this activity? Or is it something that will be apparent in my transcript, making it redundant?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm actually not sure if that would be in your transcript because transcripts only report grades, right? I personally think that you should definitely include being a TA/Lab Tech as an activity - you must do a lot every week for it. :)

  • @wouldyoulikesometea7203

    @wouldyoulikesometea7203

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist oh okay!! thank you sm, I think I will include it!

  • @dylanivanov4096
    @dylanivanov40963 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video! Should we add quantifiable descriptions such as the amount of students in the club in the description of our activities? Would a leadership position for a club look better if it was noted that the club has a large number of participants?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great question! Yes certainly, if you have the space, I think just mentioned it in a passive way (i.e. Led meetings for 30+ club members) is a great way to approach your activities section!

  • @madhavilingutla4031
    @madhavilingutla40313 жыл бұрын

    Nice!!

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!!!

  • @maia9563
    @maia95632 жыл бұрын

    hi! im an international sophomore student, and was wondering if i should include the fact that i learn physics on my own? bc i spend quite a lot of time on it every week, and im actually aspiring to be an astrophysicist like u

  • @mdriyadhossensajjad
    @mdriyadhossensajjad Жыл бұрын

    I'm a Founder of GASC Science Club. Should I put the full meaning of GASC on activities organization?

  • @AROartzzy
    @AROartzzy Жыл бұрын

    I am struggling with figuring out the number of hours and weeks. Do have any tips for that?

  • @tawasoleltahir1197
    @tawasoleltahir11973 жыл бұрын

    Can you review my college essay?

  • @thissidekhushi7413
    @thissidekhushi74139 ай бұрын

    I got an award in 11th grade on regional level in NCSC. I participated in NCSC in 9,11,12 grade and I invested a lot of time in this activity can I put it in activities section as well as honor section of common app?

  • @rouslal-tahhan6291
    @rouslal-tahhan62912 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all the useful information! Do you that it is a good idea to list my activities during my gap year?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think you can do that! I'd recommend having at least 80% of the activities on there from high-school though since a gap year is only 25% of the length of your entire high-school career :) So you'd want to emphasize high school, but adding 1-2 activities from your gap year would be great!!

  • @rouslal-tahhan6291

    @rouslal-tahhan6291

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist omg, thank you so much for your quick reply!!

  • @anoushkabhattacharya9761
    @anoushkabhattacharya97612 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I'm an international student in junior year applying for computer engineering and was very confused since I've either a) spent 13hrs/week with 50 weeks/yr for all four of high school in one activity b) spent 7hrs/week on an activity for two weeks which wasn't that significant from an admissions officers point of view. Do you have any tips on how to filter out my extra curriculars? Is there a way I can also include my additional ECs in form of a attachment in the additional information section? Do I have to include my web development portfolio as an attachment? Do I attach my 3D and 2D Graphic Design models if I'm not applying for Designing? Should I link my Spotify song in the Common App ? Should I link my dance performances and national diploma awards in there? What if I've organized baker sales but don't have any certification proof of it? What about Freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr? I'm sorry I'm really a mess.

  • @talia2157
    @talia21573 жыл бұрын

    For the common app activities section, it says that we can include hobbies that we do🤔 but how would I describe a hobby like sewing? Would it be of too little importance or too boring to include? :(

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    YES you should! That is so unique -- talk about the things you've created and all of the techniques you've learned. I'm sure the whole process of learning techniques and creating/fixing material took you so long to perfect. :)

  • @DRPRINCESSNY
    @DRPRINCESSNY3 ай бұрын

    How do I list my Brown precollege experience on my commom app

  • @oliviasanjari9362
    @oliviasanjari93623 жыл бұрын

    In the common app specifically, they ask for an Organization Name. But what if it is an independent activity? For example, I have been a private STEM tutor for the past four years, but not under any specific organization. Do I leave this section blank?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yup I'd recommend just saying "Private STEM Tutor" in the title and not adding an organization!

  • @tayibachowdhury8273
    @tayibachowdhury82733 жыл бұрын

    How do I calculate the number of hours I spent in an activity?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's just an estimate! For example, if you know you have a weekly club meeting for an hour + you work on material for the club during the week for another hour or two, you'd just estimate a 3 hour a week commitment. :)

  • @krishnarao4840
    @krishnarao48403 жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tata!

  • @_depaulakim
    @_depaulakim3 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I have a question. In my case I'm not applying straight from high school, and in this gap between was where I did all my great activities, in that part on the common app where it's said "during school, or something" What should I put in? Because it was not in my school time. Tysm!

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi! You can add in gap year activities (there should be a box to check for timeline for after graduation) and try to have a few of those but mainly high school activities. You'd explain your gap year in the extra common app prompt (there's a box you check if you took a gap year and it lets you write a 250 word essay about your year - that's where you can add in what you learned/activities/etc!) Hope this helps!

  • @_depaulakim

    @_depaulakim

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist Thank you!!!! It helped me sooooo much! I'm gonna do this for sure. Thanks for replying! 💕

  • @azizanazarova9511
    @azizanazarova95113 жыл бұрын

    Could you please explain how to add participation in MUN Conferences in the activities section?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey! I'd recommend just getting specific in the bullet points (what country you researched/represented, analytical skills you gained, problem-solving with others in a team environment, etc.) and honors you might have been awarded if relevant.

  • @azizanazarova9511

    @azizanazarova9511

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist Thanks a lot!

  • @justanotherfangirl8927
    @justanotherfangirl89273 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I do not have many activities for my activity section so I’m trying to think of new ones to add😭 do you think I can put GYLC (a global student conference- kinda like a cultural exchange program) as an activity?

  • @justanotherfangirl8927

    @justanotherfangirl8927

    3 жыл бұрын

    It was a ten-day conference in the summer so it’s not really something that I’ve done more than once or still do

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Aw don't worry - I had to improvise too. We all did! That's certainly something you can add in (rank it lower than your more consistent activities) and just label it for one year. Let's say it was a day-long conference - that would be 80 hours for the whole conference. :)

  • @justanotherfangirl8927

    @justanotherfangirl8927

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist okay great thank you so much!

  • @aayushacharya935
    @aayushacharya9352 жыл бұрын

    Can I add more than one organisation for a single activity?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    2 жыл бұрын

    I believe best practice is keeping one activity limited to one organization - you don't want to confuse the admissions officer!

  • @meredithdoan4846
    @meredithdoan48463 жыл бұрын

    For some of my activities, like NHS, I had regular meetings but my volunteer hours were kind of all over this place. Would it be best if I put my time spent in the meetings in the time commitment section and then just said the number of volunteer hours in the description box?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    That makes sense! I think you should put in your regular meeting and weekly hours in the commitment section.

  • @4gomegalife764
    @4gomegalife7642 жыл бұрын

    Madam Can u edit my common app eassay..?

  • @keenankulpanapat886
    @keenankulpanapat8863 жыл бұрын

    I joined NHS this year as a senior just for fun, should I list on my activities still?

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Only if you have the space for it within the 10 activities that you can add in! If space is an issue and there are other activities that you participated more in depth in, add those. :)

  • @keenankulpanapat886

    @keenankulpanapat886

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheAlmostAstrophysicist I actually 5 activities listed already so I think I can definitely add NHS. But I’m scared colleges will look down on me- for the record I’m not doing to impress colleges (NHS is really common and they see it all the time) but simply for fun! Do u think they will? And how would I even list the number of weeks and hours I participated in NHS? Would I just estimate?

  • @revasingh9463
    @revasingh94632 жыл бұрын

    Hey, could you edit my common app essay or give me edits?

  • @okie9385
    @okie93853 жыл бұрын

    So we write ”tutors” instead of ”I tutored”

  • @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    @TheAlmostAstrophysicist

    3 жыл бұрын

    Depends on if you’re still doing it or not! Tutors is present tense, tutored is past tense. :)

  • @ericlin5457
    @ericlin54573 жыл бұрын

    Can u read my essay