Common App Activities Section--How much to put?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

I’ve been a very active person throughout my 4 years of High School, and I want to show that off on my college applications.

Of course, I’m only including the activities I’ve dedicated a strong amount of time to, not just listing any club I’ve been to a meeting to or participated in for a month. I’ve started the common app, where they give 10 activity slots.

I’ve heard two sides of extracurriculars: “The more the better as it shows you are a well rounded person and involved” and “Having just a few is better because it shows you are dedicated and passionate about those things the most”.

So far I’ve filled up 4-- DECA, tennis, volunteering, and work. I have a few more I want to add, but I’ve also heard you only want to put in your top 5 activities. I wouldn’t fill up all 10, but I’m worried that I’m talking about too much, so my work and activities don’t look genuine. Is having 7 activities too much?

2

I’d say evaluate them on a one-on-one basis. If you think it’s very important, put it in. I have 8 activities and looks good, actually.

3

I think you should put all the activities that are meaningful to you and those that you put a lot of your time into.

If you have 5 activities in which your consider important and put a lot of time into it the do that. If you have 10 then put 10. However I think you shouldn’t put any activities just because you did it or you had to. Put activities you love doing and want to spend more time in it especially in college maybe as well.