<p>I write, draw, and paint in my free time. I haven't won any awards or published anything; it's purely for my own enjoyment... but then, I enjoy it very, very much, so that must say something about me, right? </p>
<p>It's not an official extracurricular though. How would I go about including it on the Common App? Would I just list "Art" and then say "I write, draw, and paint in my free time" in the details line? </p>
<p>And <em>would</em> I want to include something like this? Perhaps it's too trivial to include. And it doesn't fit into the political focus of my other extracurrics.</p>
<p>It couldn’t hurt. I put down the I taught myself drums and guitar, just relate to a quality that you posses.</p>
<p>Ah. How would I relate it to a quality I possess? There’s not exactly a lot of space to explain. Can it just be implicit? (ie they can just infer that I appreciate beauty)</p>
<p>Only if your hobbies will add to the value of your application.</p>
<p>Mundane activities that don’t bring out a unique side of you will not help. </p>
<p>I’ve been surfing every summer and I’ve won some local competitions. While I’ve never learned through a school or organization like that, I’ve taught many students the basics. So not only have I won awards for this hobby, I’ve also brought my interests to other people by teaching them.</p>
<p>I think something like that is better to include than something like “Reading - I like to read.” Depending on how unique your hobbies are, standing out may also be a consideration.</p>