What can I put in my activities section of Common App?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

Hi All,

I am in the middle of applying to several colleges through the Common Application. When I go to the section about activities, I stumbled across an issue. One really great thing that I am doing right now is I am currently taking classes my EMT Certification. I think this is a great activity that I do and it would help me stand out on some applications. However, I get my official EMT certification in the middle of April (just after I would hear about most decisions), so I didn’t know if EMT is something I can put on my application for colleges. On one hand, I am going to have my certifcation by the time I enter college, so I wouldn’t be lying. On the other, I technically am not an EMT right now.
I guess my question is that am I allowed to put something on my common app activities section for something I am undoubtedly going to do, even if in the current moment I do not technically have it? (Obviously in my case I am referring to EMT but just as a whole I am wondering. Thanks!

2

Why not just put that your EMT certification is in progress?

3

Do you think that wouldn’t be as significant or as much of a stand out as just saying I have completed it? If not then I should just do that

4

I suggest:
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) training in progress (certification expected in April 2020)
It would not be truthful to describe your training as completed, until you have passed the certification process.

5

I would avoid saying you’ve completed your certification if, in reality, you haven’t. If a college finds out that you lied on your application, they could throw out your entire application. It’d be better to simply say that the certification is in progress.