I'm a junior starting to work on my Common App, and I have been involved in quite a few sports throughout high school. I'm really curious about how to describe my sports-related activities in the activities section. Could someone give me some good examples of how to do this effectively? Thanks in advance!
Certainly! Describing your sports-related activities effectively in the Common App is crucial, as clear descriptions will paint a picture of your dedication, achievements, and leadership in those activities. Here are some examples to guide you:
1. Varsity Soccer:
- Time commitment: 20 hours/week, 20 weeks/year, 4 years
- Description: Led team to regional championship 2x, All-State selection x1, team captain x1, coached at summer youth soccer camps, organized team-bonding activities
2. Varsity Cross Country:
- Time commitment: 20 hours/week, 12 weeks/year, 3 years
- Description: Consistent top-5 finisher in meets, 3x regional qualifier, planned and led preseason training practices, co-hosted team fundraisers with coaches
3. Junior Varsity Track and Field:
- Time commitment: 15 hours/week, 10 weeks/year, 2 years
- Events: 800m, 4x400m relay, and high jump
- Description: Competed in 800m, 4x400 relay, and high jump. Improved personal records by the end of each year. Participated in mentorship, "buddy" program as a sophomore.
When describing your sports-related activities, make sure to highlight key personal accomplishments, any leadership roles you held, and your contributions to the team's overall success. You'll also want to mention any off-field volunteer work or community involvement, to demonstrate that your passion for the sport goes beyond just playing.
Remember, you don't have much space, so be concise while still being clear. For example, saying 1x instead of "once," like above, is a good trick to save a couple of characters. You'll also want to provide quantifiable metrics or milestones wherever possible, so that admissions officers get a concrete understanding of the extent and value of your involvement.
Finally, if you want more examples of strong activity list descriptions, for involvements other than sports, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/the-common-app-analyzed-4-successful-activity-entries-explained
Good luck with your applications!
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