I was wondering if I could list “creative writing” as an activity on the activities section of the Common App. I have a passion for creative writing, write poetry daily, read poetry in my spare time, and attend spoken word events. I’m not sure if this is considered a valid “activity” to put on the Common App. I was thinking that since it is a passion of mine and relates to academics I could manage to tie it in. Also, I have a letter of recommendation from my creative writing teacher who will most likely touch on my writing skills and has told me that I have talent as a writer. My main concern is that if I list this on the Common App it will be seen as just a “filler” or “invalid” altogether. (I’m not attempting to add it as filler, this is a genuine hobby of mine and I’m just not sure if it would be perceived as such.)
It would help if your creative writing pieces were exhibited in some public platform: blog, magazine, newspaper, etc.
I have submitted writing in contests before? Does that count for something?
Only if you got some kind of recognition from it.
So any extracurricular pursued out of your own interest should not be included unless you’ve received recognition or awards for it?
Video gaming and surfing College Confidential are also “pursued out of your own interest”. Do you think colleges should acknowledge them as significant ECs without some recognized constructive outcome from it?
I figured that creative writing is somewhat different in the sense that it pertains to academics and the arts. But I understand your point about recognition. Is a recommendation from a teacher about my writing skills not enough? Also, Vanderbilt’s website states about extracurriculars included on their application “What really matters to us is that you love what you’re doing. Passion is hard to fake. If you’re just choosing activities to fill a resume, it shows. Stop worrying about what each admissions counselor personally likes; what do you love to do? You don’t have to be an all-star in the activity either. Being a happy participant is fine with us.” Do they mean what they say or do they only want recognized activities?
I would include it. My daughter is also a creative writer. She did not record her writing as an “activity” but did include being involved in a writing group and submitting her writing to contests (some awards, some not). However, I think it seems reasonable to include given how much effort and time this activity can take. Finally, she attempted to write her essay as a personal “creative story.” She tried to show who she is by how she writes and not just answering the essay prompt. It seemed risky but authentic. We will know later if it worked. Good luck to you!
It would be good if your teacher/GC recommenders mention it too, to give the activity more gravitas as an EC.
My other recommenders may have touched on my writing, but I am not sure. If I do decide to include it, what’s the worst that could happen? Could adding it devalue my entire application?
There’s nothing to lose by including it. If creative writing is a passion, then mention as much in your essay, but that essay better be darn good!
First and foremost, and I can pretty much guarantee this, that there are local poetry “journals” and “magazines” that are starving for content. Try local community colleges that have writing newsletters or contests. You might only get $5, but hey, you get a publishing credit that you can list. A quick Google will find something in your area that would be willing to publish you. If they do not limit the number of submissions, send a SASE with five poems instead of just one. I would avoid going to five hundred because then the gig is up. 
Second (and of course less glamorous) is the self-publishing route. Yes, you pay for it, but you get the credit. There are a number of very famous successful authors who self-published, and no one is going to expect Hemingway from a HS senior. I would make it a point in your essay to say how you mowed lawns all summer so you could pay for the publishing fees, because it adds character instead of having mom and dad pick up the tab, but I digress.
Third, make it a point in your essays (since this is supposed to be where you shine as a creative writer) that you have been published. Tell your story about how you were inspired to write a short story about XYZ after seeing ABC for the first time. It sounds formulaic, but if you can hold your own as a creative writer, you can make it work.
Fourth and finally, if you are going to make your case to an admissions counselor that you should be let in on the merits of your writing, please be sure you are not just a horrible writer with grandiose dreams. They exist and you don’t want to be one of them. Have some writing chops. Ask your friends, your teachers, your parents, homeless people, baristas that stand still long enough to read your stuff and never be afraid of feedback.
Best of luck.
My only problem is that my application is due tomorrow since I’m applying ED. I don’t have the chance to get anything published.
If you choose to list creative writing as an activity then include the titles of your finished poems and categories. If you have unpolished poems that are undergoing significant revision, you can list them by the working title and label as WIP (work-in-progress). (Maybe one WIP on your list, but make the threshold high.) Having a body of work (yes, even unpublished) shows you are attempting to learn the craft, and, in my opinion, would not be considered filler.
To offer a contrasting opinion: including a long list of titles that mean nothing to the adcom might indeed seem like filler…