TIP: Keep it short and crisp. Use lists and not complete sentences. Only talk about the things that really matter and raise the importance of the activity/accomplishment. 
Instead of: I raised money to donate to a school in Ghana, Africa by selling t-shirts and bracelets. 

Try: Arranged advertising events, organized fundraisers, and gave presentations at school meetings.

 

TIP: State role and organization in the top box, so you don’t waste characters in the lower 160 character box.

Instead of: (Top Box) School newspaper; (Lower Box) I am the editor for the school newspaper (do not repeat words)
Try: (Top Box) Editor of International Column, School Newspaper; (Lower Box) Responsible for brainstorming, revising, and supervising articles by other writers for my column.

 

TIP: Include any responsibility you had to demonstrate leadership skills.
Instead of: I swim on the swim team
Try: USA swimming regional qualifier, traveled nationally, planning fundraiser events, assisting in recruiting process.

 

TIP: Use active verbs to explain what you actually did (list your tasks).
Instead of: Worked at a clinic doing different things.
Try: Organized patient diagnosis notes, sterilized tools for surgeries, assisted with x-ray analysis.

 

TIP: Aim for variety in your list, making sure your verbs are not redundant.
Instead of: Instructing, helping, teaching children tennis (make sure these are different and descriptive)

Try: Instructing in proper technique, while imparting lessons in sportsmanship, health and integrity.

 

TIP: Emphasize tangible, measurable impact: Whom did your activity help? How many people? How much money did you raise?

Instead of: Raised money for children in Africa.

Try: Raised $3,000 to provide three uniforms and scholarships for students attending the Joseph Waweru Home School.

 

TIP: What if there isn’t much to say, or it was a one-time event? Explain the significance of the activity: who did the event matter to and why?

Instead of: Tutored students.

Try: Provided support to fourth graders with particularly difficult math concepts. Helped them increase their test scores.

 

TIP: Avoid Extreme Language.

Instead of: to help all those in need (or) to end poverty in the world.
Try: to help those in need (or) to aid in the fight against global poverty

 

Below is an example of how NOT to fill out an application in the Activities Section.

The applicant left three areas blank (e.g., Extracurricular Activities, Volunteer Work and Community Service and Employment). Within Honors and Awards the applicant did not give any thoughtful description of their awards and the significance of receiving them. In the categories when you can list hours and weeks of activities make sure to list ALL the hours/weeks you do the activity and/or sport.