How to Handle Common App Activities Section - Full Sentences Needed?

Kind of stressing about the activities section on the Common App. Do I need to write full sentences here or are bullet points okay? I want to make the best impression but also don't want to waffle on.

The Common App activities section is quite concise, with a limit of 150 characters per activity description, so full sentences are not necessary as long as you're still being clear about the impact each activity made on you. Think about using strong action verbs to start each point, and citing quantifiable achievements when possible.

For example, instead of writing 'I was the captain of the basketball team,' you could say 'Led team as captain to first regional championship in 5 years,' which is more specific and thus will impress admissions officers more. Remember that admissions officers are reviewing many applications, so the more directly you can convey your accomplishments and responsibilities, the better.

If your role or the significance of any activity isn't self-explanatory, you can always provide a brief additional explanation in the additional information section of the application, if needed. That being said, you are right that you don't want to go on and on, as admissions officers only have so much time to spend on your application. Keep in mind that the goal is to show your level of commitment, leadership, and the impact of your involvement, rather than listing every single thing you did. I hope this helps, and feel free to reach out again if you have any further questions regarding how to describe specific activities!