How to List Your Hobbies on Common App Activities List

The Common App Activities List is a key part of your college application. It highlights your hobbies and extracurricular activities, giving admissions officers insight into your passions, values, and commitment. Learning how to list your hobbies on Common App effectively can make your application stand out and improve your chances of acceptance.  

What is the Common App Activities List & Why is it Important for College Admissions?

Understanding the Role of the Common App in College Applications

The Common App is a platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges with a single application. One of its most important sections is the Activities List, where you can showcase your extracurricular involvement.

Why the Activities List Matters:

• It gives colleges a holistic view of who you are beyond academics.
• It highlights your ability to balance academics with other commitments.
• It demonstrates your passions, values, and contributions to your community.

Admissions officers use this section to evaluate what makes you unique and how you might contribute to their campus community.

How Admission Officers Evaluate the Activities Section

When reviewing the Activities List, admission officers look for:

1. Depth of involvement: Long-term commitment or leadership roles.

2. Impact: How your activities influenced others or created positive change.

3. Alignment: Activities that connect to your intended major or future goals.

Examples:

• Leading a community service project shows leadership and dedication.
• Competing in robotics competitions reflects problem-solving and teamwork.

Impact of Extracurricular Activities on College Applications

Extracurriculars provide critical context for your academic achievements:

• They showcase your skills: Time management, creativity, and perseverance.
• They highlight your uniqueness: Meaningful involvement sets you apart.
• They enhance your narrative: Strong extracurriculars can support your essay and overall application.

Key Tip: Colleges value well-rounded individuals. Highlight activities that demonstrate leadership, initiative, or personal growth.

How Can You List Your Hobby on the Common App Activities List?

Choosing the Right Common App Activity to Showcase

Selecting the right activity to list your hobbies on the common app is crucial for a strong application. Focus on hobbies or extracurriculars that:

• Reflect your genuine interests and long-term commitment.
• Showcase leadership, initiative, or significant achievements.
• Align with your academic or career goals.

Examples:

• If you’re passionate about environmental science, emphasize your work with a conservation group.
• If you’re an aspiring artist, showcase participation in art competitions or exhibitions.

Pro Tip: Choose activities that tell a cohesive story about your passions and goals. Authenticity resonates more than trying to impress.

Providing Details That Demonstrate Your Passion

When describing your hobby on the Common App Activities List, include specific and vivid details:

• Your role: What did you do?
• Accomplishments: Did you achieve any milestones or receive recognition?
• Impact: How did your work benefit others or contribute to your growth?

Example Descriptions:

• Weak: “Member of the school choir.”
• Strong: “Sang as a soprano in the school choir for three years, performed at four state competitions, and mentored new members.”

Use numbers and concrete examples to make your descriptions stand out. Admissions officers appreciate details that show your dedication and results.

Including Impressive Activities That Look Good on a College Application

To strengthen your Common App Activities List, prioritize activities that demonstrate:

• Leadership: Running a club, mentoring others, or managing projects.
• Impact: Volunteer work, fundraising events, or initiatives that address community issues.
• Unique skills: Hobbies like robotics, coding, or filmmaking can set you apart.

Pro Tip: Colleges value depth over breadth. Focus on a few activities with strong involvement rather than listing many minor ones.

What Types of Hobbies Make a Strong Impression on College Admissions?

Identifying Valuable Extracurriculars and Hobbies

Hobbies that leave a strong impression often have these qualities:

1. Dedication: Activities that show long-term commitment, like playing a musical instrument or participating in sports.

2. Skill Development: Hobbies that build valuable skills such as discipline, leadership, or creativity.

3. Community Impact: Volunteer work or initiatives that contribute to your community or address societal issues.

Examples of Valuable Hobbies:

• Artistic pursuits: Painting, writing, or playing an instrument.
• STEM-related activities: Robotics, coding, or science fairs.
• Leadership roles: Running a club or organizing events.
• Social impact projects: Starting a recycling program or leading a charity fundraiser.

Volunteer Work vs. Personal Hobbies: What Looks Better?

Both volunteer work and personal hobbies can enhance your application, but they serve different purposes:

Volunteer Work:

• Shows empathy and commitment to helping others.
• Demonstrates leadership, teamwork, and community engagement.

Examples: Volunteering at a food bank or tutoring underprivileged students.

Personal Hobbies:

• Reflects your individuality and passions.
• Highlights creativity, dedication, and skill development.

Examples: Building model airplanes, photography, or gardening.

Pro Tip: A balanced approach is ideal. Highlight both volunteer work and personal hobbies to showcase a well-rounded personality.

How Many Activities Should You Include When You List Your Hobbies Common App?

Finding the Right Balance

The Common App allows you to list up to 10 activities, but quality matters more than quantity. Admissions officers prefer to see meaningful, well-documented involvement over a long list of minor activities.

Tips for Deciding How Many to Include:

1. Focus on 5–7 activities that are most impactful or relevant to your goals.

2. Highlight depth of involvement, leadership roles, or notable achievements.

3. Avoid including activities with minimal commitment or relevance.

Pro Tip: Choose activities that align with your academic interests, career goals, or personal values.

Prioritizing the Right Activities

When deciding which activities to include:

• Rank them by significance: List the most important activities first.
• Consider relevance: Include activities that connect to your intended major or field of study.
• Showcase leadership: Highlight roles where you made an impact.

Example:

Instead of listing 10 minor clubs, focus on 5 activities like:

• Debate Club President (2 years).
• Volunteering at an animal shelter (50+ hours).
• Leading a community gardening project (3 years).

Pro Tip: If you don’t have 10 strong activities, it’s better to leave some slots empty than to list activities without meaningful involvement.

How Do You Write About Your Hobby in the Common App Essay?  

Connecting Your Hobby to Personal Growth and Development  

Writing about your hobby in the Common App essay is an opportunity to highlight how it has shaped your identity and helped you grow. Admissions officers are interested in:  

• How the hobby has influenced your character or mindset. 
• Skills or traits you’ve developed, such as perseverance, creativity, or leadership.
• Challenges you’ve faced and lessons you’ve learned through the hobby.

Example Topics:

• A passion for painting that taught you to see beauty in imperfection. 
• Overcoming stage fright through years of choir performances.
• Learning problem-solving skills through competitive robotics.

Pro Tip: Be specific. Use personal anecdotes to show how your hobby has impacted your life and goals.  

Crafting a Compelling Narrative Around Your Passion  

To make your essay engaging:  

1. Start with a vivid moment: Describe a meaningful experience related to your hobby.  

Example: “Standing on stage, my heart raced as I prepared to deliver my first solo performance.”  

2. Reflect on its impact: Explain how the hobby has shaped your perspective or skills.  

Example: “That moment taught me to embrace vulnerability and inspired my passion for public speaking.”  

3. Connect to your future: Tie your hobby to your academic goals or aspirations.  

Example: “My love for storytelling now drives my interest in journalism.” 

Pro Tip: Authenticity is key. Write about a hobby that genuinely excites you, and let your enthusiasm shine through.  

Tips for Integrating Your Hobby into Your College Application Story  

Aligning Your Hobby with Your Application Narrative  

To integrate your hobby seamlessly into your application:  

• Identify key themes: What values or traits does your hobby represent? Examples include creativity, leadership, or resilience. 
• Highlight connections: Link your hobby to your intended major or career aspirations.

Example: A passion for coding aligns with a computer science major.  

• Show impact: Emphasize how your hobby has influenced your personal growth or community contributions.  

Pro Tip: Use consistent messaging throughout your application. Reference your hobby in your essay, Activities List, and even recommendation letters if possible.  

How to Build a Cohesive Story

1. Choose a central theme: For example, if your hobby is photography, focus on how it has shaped your perspective and creativity.  

2. Weave it into multiple sections:

• Activities List: Describe projects or achievements related to the hobby. 
• Essay: Share a personal story about your passion for photography.
• Future Goals: Explain how this interest influences your academic or career plans.

3. Demonstrate growth: Highlight the challenges you’ve overcome and the lessons you’ve learned through your hobby. 

Example:

A student passionate about environmental conservation might:  

• List their role in a sustainability club in the Activities section. 
• Write an essay about organizing a community cleanup.
• Share plans to study environmental science in the future.

Pro Tip: A cohesive narrative helps admissions officers understand your passion and potential contributions to their college. 

How Can You Get Help from Your Counselor When You List Your Hobbies on Common App?  

Understanding the Role of Your Counselor in College Planning  

Your counselor plays an essential role in the college application process by helping you present your strengths effectively. They can:  

• Provide feedback: Suggest which hobbies or activities to highlight in your application. 
• Help with descriptions: Assist in crafting concise, impactful descriptions for your Activities List.
• Offer essay guidance: Review your essay and ensure it aligns with your narrative.

Pro Tip: Counselors understand what admissions officers look for. Use their expertise to refine your application and showcase your hobby in the best light.  

What to Ask Your Counselor About the Common App Activities List  

When meeting with your counselor, ask specific questions to strengthen your application:  

• “Which activities should I prioritize to align with my goals?” 
• “How can I describe my hobby to emphasize leadership or impact?”
• “Does my Activities List create a well-rounded picture of my interests and commitments?”

Pro Tip: Share your draft Activities List with your counselor and request feedback to ensure it highlights your strengths effectively.  

Collaborating with Your Counselor for a Strong Application  

Working closely with your counselor can elevate your application. Here’s how:  

1. Brainstorm together: Discuss hobbies or activities that best represent your character and ambitions.  

2. Refine your descriptions: Collaborate to create clear, engaging entries for the Activities List.  

3. Tie it all together: Ensure your essay, Activities List, and other application components form a cohesive narrative.  

Pro Tip: Schedule multiple meetings with your counselor to track progress and make revisions as needed. 

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When You List Your Hobbies on Common App?  

Overloading Your Application with Too Many Activities  

One common mistake is trying to fill all 10 slots in the Activities List with minor or unrelated activities. Admissions officers value quality over quantity and focus on meaningful involvement.  

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Prioritize depth: Highlight 5–7 activities with significant commitment or achievements. 
• Leave out superficial activities with minimal impact or relevance.
• Focus on roles where you demonstrated leadership or personal growth.

Example: Instead of listing several minor clubs, emphasize roles like: 

• “Debate Team Captain: Organized regional tournaments and mentored new members.” 
• “Community Garden Leader: Coordinated volunteers and grew 200+ pounds of produce for local shelters.”

Failing to Provide Specific Details About Your Hobby  

Vague descriptions weaken the impact of your Activities List. Admissions officers want to see what you accomplished, not just what you participated in.  

How to Fix It: 

• Include quantifiable achievements, such as awards, milestones, or measurable impact. 
• Use action-oriented language to describe your role and contributions.

Example:

Weak: “Member of the soccer team.”  

Strong: “Varsity soccer player for 3 years, scored 10+ goals per season, and organized team fundraising events.”  

Neglecting the Importance of Professional Presentation  

Poor formatting or grammatical errors can leave a negative impression. Admissions officers expect a polished and professional Activities List.  

How to Present Your Activities Effectively:

• Use concise and clear language. 
• Stick to a consistent format for descriptions.
• Proofread for errors to ensure your list is clean and professional.

Pro Tip: Treat your Activities List like a resume. Every detail should add value and reflect your strengths.