DO's and DONT's
-Don't waste characters in the Activities section describing the activity.
-Do articulate your involvement, leadership, and contributions.
-Don't underreport the time you spent on your commitments.
-Do include preparation, competitions, practices, rehearsals, travel, independent research.
-Don't believe you were not a leader if you were not President or Captain.
-Do understand every student plays a role. Section Leader in Band. Veteran Member of Key Club. Lead Cashier. Co-Founder of Investment Club. Social Media Manager of Choir. Head of Junior Cotillion Decorating Committee. Mentor of Incoming Freshmen on the team.
-Don't be afraid to quantify your impact.
-Do describe your measurable impact on a club or organization. This can be big or small.
-Don't feel pressured to fill in each spot-quality over quantity of activities. Depth, consistency and committment is key.
-Don't list the most important activities last.
-Do order your most significant activities FIRST.
HONORS/AWARDS-What counts?
-National Merit
-AP Scholar
-Honor Roll
-Academic Competition
-FCCLA Competiton Awards
-Debate/Model UN awards
-Music/art awards-Athletic Honors-MVP, Most Improved, All Division, etc.
-Publication awards
-School department awards
-Seal of Biliteracy
-NHS leadership distinctions
-Employee of the Month
-Volunteer Awards
FINALLY-BEFORE HITTING SUBMIT-Hit 'preview' which turns your Common App into a pdf-it is easier to catch and correct mistakes. Check for spelling, capitalization, word choice, ect. and have an older sibling, parent, or trusted adult help edit if necessary.