Common App Activities & Experiences Toolkit

Your activities & experiences section is one of the most important parts of the Common App.

Admissions officers don't just want to know what you did. They want to understand your impact, leadership, initiative, and contributions. This toolkit will help you transform a simple list of activities into compelling descriptions that strengthen your application.

Inside this step-by-step worksheet packet, you'll learn how to:

• Brainstorm every activity you've participated in throughout high school
• Decide which activities deserve a spot in your Top 10
• Understand the different Common App activity categories
• Prioritize your activities in the strongest order
• Write powerful 150-character activity descriptions that highlight impact, not just participation
• Use action verbs and measurable results to stand out
• Avoid the most common mistakes students make

Perfect for students applying through the Common App, this worksheet walks you through the exact process used by college admissions consultants to create stronger activity lists.

Whether you're involved in sports, clubs, jobs, volunteering, research, music, entrepreneurship, or family responsibilities, this toolkit will help you present your experiences with confidence.

Stop guessing what to write. Start showcasing the value you've created.

Hi, I'm Elena Wollborg, founder of The Next 4. After 25 years as a high school marketing educator and DECA advisor, I launched The Next 4 College Coaching to help students navigate the college application process with confidence. Through the Class of 2026 application cycle, I helped students gain admissions to top schools and programs in the country, including the University of Michigan, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies School of Business, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Michigan State Broad College of Business, University of Colorado-Boulder Leeds School of Business, and many other outstanding colleges. Please reach out to us at thenext4collegecoaching.com or 248-736-7775.