UC Application Activities and Awards Examples

Hey guys, I'm trying to figure out how to best list my activities and awards on the UC application. Can anyone provide any examples or tips on how to properly format and describe them?

Certainly! On the UC application, you have space to list up to 20 extracurricular activities, work experiences, or awards. Here are some tips and examples to help you properly format and describe your activities/awards.

1. Use clear, concise language: Be straightforward in describing your activities and awards. Use clear wording to get your point across without making it overly complicated. Avoid jargon or acronyms that may not be universally understood.

Example:

Weak: Varsity FB team captain, helped team, organized plays

Strong: Varsity football team captain, led team workouts, developed strategies

2. Focus on your role and accomplishments: When describing what you did in each activity, emphasize your personal contributions, responsibilities, and achievements.

Example:

Weak: Member of school newspaper

Strong: School newspaper editor, managed a team of 8 writers and edited articles for content and style

3. Quantify your impact: Whenever possible, use concrete numbers to demonstrate the impact of your involvement.

Example:

Weak: Organized tutoring sessions for underprivileged kids

Strong: Coordinated weekly tutoring sessions for 30 underprivileged students, helping to raise their GPAs by an average of 1 point

4. Prioritize the order of activities/awards: List your most significant and recent activities/awards first. This helps prioritize your involvement and ensures the admissions committee sees your most important contributions.

Example:

1. President of Robotics Club

2. State champion in Math Olympiad

3. Founder of a community garden

5. Show progression and commitment: If you've been involved in an activity for multiple years, don't hesitate to showcase your growth and dedication to the activity.

Example:

Weak: Piano lessons for 5 years

Strong: 5 years of classical piano lessons, progressed from beginner to advanced level, performed at 10 recitals

6. Include relevant details for awards: When describing awards or honors, include the title, scope (school, state, national), and date received, as well as a brief explanation if the award is not self-explanatory.

Example:

Weak: Gold Medal in painting

Strong: Gold Medal at State Art Competition (2022) for an original painting that showcased abstract landscape techniques

Remember, the goal is to showcase your involvement and experiences in a clear, concise, and impactful manner. By doing so, you'll help the admissions officers understand the depth of your commitments and your accomplishments within each activity or award. Good luck with your UC application!