my activities resume for the Common App: what worked and what didn't

Personal brandactivitiesresumeCommon Appcollege application

When I first started working on my activities resume for the Common App, I felt like I was sharing my entire life story. I had a long list of everything I’d ever done, but it was just a mess that didn’t tell anyone anything meaningful.

To make it easier, I focused on four main sections: Leadership Roles, Volunteer Work, Clubs and Organizations, and Work Experience. This format helped me clearly showcase my experiences. I made sure to include numbers as well. For example, instead of just saying I volunteered, I wrote down how many hours I contributed and the exact projects I worked on.

Another tip is to link your activities to specific skills or interests. Instead of simply listing, I emphasized what I learned and how it shaped my goals. This made my resume not just a list but a narrative of my growth.

Lastly, I got feedback from friends and teachers, which was super helpful. They pointed out areas where I could highlight achievements even better. Trust me, that outside perspective is gold!

Hope these tips help anyone struggling with their activities resume for the Common App!

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