How to Use the Activities List Worksheet

Module 4.6: How to Use the Activities List Worksheet

The application form gives you very limited space (often just 150-200 characters) to describe your life's work. You need to draft, edit, and polish these descriptions before you copy-paste them into the portal.

Use the Activities List Worksheet (downloadable template) to draft your content.

Step 1: The Brain Dump

List everything you have done in the last 3 years.

• Clubs

• Sports

• Hobbies

• Family responsibilities (babysitting siblings counts!)

• Summer camps

• Online courses

Step 2: Select and Prioritize

Most portals limit you to roughly 5-7 activities. You must pick the most impactful ones.

• Criteria: Length of commitment, leadership role, and impact.

• Order: List the most impressive one first. Do not list them chronologically. List them by order of importance to you.

Step 3: The "Action Verb" Polish

Rewrite every description using strong verbs. Eliminate passive voice.

• Passive: "Was responsible for taking notes."

• Active: "Recorded official minutes for weekly board meetings."

• Passive: "Helped with the bake sale."

• Active: "Managed cash box and sales for charity bake sale raising $200."

Step 4: Quantify Everything

Admissions officers love numbers. They provide context.

• How many members in the club?

• How much money raised?

• How many hours per week?

• How many people attended the event?

Step 5: The "Role" Title

Don't lie, but be accurate.

• If you don't have an official title like "President," describe your role functionally.

• Example: "Founding Member," "Lead Debater," "Event Coordinator," "Varsity Starter."

Filling Out the Worksheet Columns

• Activity Name: Be formal. (Not "Band," but "Symphonic Jazz Ensemble").

• Grade Levels: Check 6, 7, 8, etc.

• Timing: Hours per week / Weeks per year. Be honest. If you say 40 hours a week, they will know you are lying.

• Description: The 150-character pitch.

Final Review

Read your list as a whole. Does it tell the narrative you chose in Module 4.1?

• If your narrative is "The Scientist," do you have science activities at the top?

• If your narrative is "The Community Builder," is Student Council listed first?