Skip to main content
2
3 years ago
Admissions Advice

What's the optimal number of activities for the UC application?
Answered

I'm filling out my application to the University of California system right now, and I was wondering how many activities I should add. They give me the theoretical possibility to fill up to 20 slots. I think I could fill all of them with semi-relevant experiences, but including 20 items seems a little excessive.

Does anybody want to share some advice how many activities successful applications typically include?

activities
UCBerkeley
UCLA
UCSD
UniversityOfCalifornia
2
3
🎉 First post
Let’s welcome @taxi to the community! Remember to be kind, helpful, and supportive in your responses.

Earn karma by helping others:

1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted.

2 answers

2
Accepted Answer
3 years ago

Hi @taxi,

I agree with @ThatSnoozyKid! Don't feel pressured to fill out all 20 slots or even hit a numerical target in general when filling out the activities section. Pick and choose the activities that say something about you as a candidate, whether they communicate your interests, values, future goals, and ability to commit to a goal for an extended period of time. If an activity doesn't communicate one of those, or if there are already others that do a similar/better job on your list, consider leaving it off your list.

Hope this helps!

2
0
3 years ago

Hi, @taxi. In any college admission, there is no particular number of extracurricular activities that makes your application better than others; it only matters that the activities you include--and how you describe them--reflect the type of person you want to come across as in your application. Typically, it would make sense to include the activities where you have leadership positions, accolades, and/or a significant time dedication.

0
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Community Guidelines

To keep this community safe and supportive:

  1. Be kind and respectful!
  2. Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
  3. Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!

How karma works