Leadership and impact aren’t limited to titles like “President” or “Captain.” Sometimes, the most meaningful contributions come from quieter roles that still demonstrate initiative, dedication, and influence. Admissions officers want to see how you make a difference, no matter what your official title is. Let’s explore how Jasmine, a high school senior passionate about social justice, can showcase her leadership and impact.

Even with a strong list of activities, small mistakes can weaken the impact. Admissions officers look for authenticity, clarity, and variety in your descriptions. Let’s walk through a few common mistakes students make and how to fix them, using Mary, a hypothetical high school senior with a passion for STEM as an example. Mary has done it all—from robotics club vice president to math club to volunteering at an animal shelter—but her descriptions need a bit of polishing.

If only your activities list could tell its own story! Think of it like a movie trailer for your high school journey—each line a new scene, building up to the big picture. For Alex, a high school senior passionate about environmental science, it’s important to arrange those scenes to make an impact. With diverse activities like volunteering at an animal shelter, playing on the basketball team, leading a recycling club, and working part-time at a local café, Alex has a lot to showcase, but no clear idea of how these all relate to environmental science. Let’s look at how to prioritize his activities for maximum impact.

Writing descriptions for your activities list might feel like explaining your whole high school career in tweet-length blurbs. But the truth is admissions officers are skimming quickly, so your job is to give them a snapshot of your impact, not a full biography. Let’s dive into a few key tips on how to keep it concise, clear, and impactful!

In college applications, every word counts—and the right verbs can make all the difference. Admissions officers are skimming quickly, so choosing verbs that are clear and powerful helps them understand the value you bring to each activity. Think of these words as tiny powerhouses that showcase what you did, how you did it, and the impact you made.

In this guide, we’ll walk through a list of power verbs to make your college activities list stand out. Whether you’re describing leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, or creativity, we’ve got you covered!

In this guide, we’ll take you through every major step to ensure your activities list stands out whether it’s for the Common Application, Coalition Application, UC Application, ApplyTexas, or others.