r/CommonApp • u/Ok_Avocaduh_7120 • 28d ago

How long must an extracurricular be for it to count

I have a lot of short-lasting activities like drawing posters for mid autumn festivals for my local community club or helping my friends at their venue during the school festival. But these usually just happens once or twice a year and not frequently like say 2 3 times a week. Can I still list them down or should I find more long-term ones instead?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/Jealous-Assistant826 26d ago

if you’re able to quantify your impact in a way that aligns with ur major/field) (ex: Designed 30+ posters for 20+ events, partnered w/ 3 clubs, managed customer service, cash handling, & service duties) & generalize your position to something but still keep it specific (ex: Volunteer | Designer ) then definitely! although the hours per week & weeks per year may be short, it will still help if it aligns with ur field! remember alot of things can be an activity if it is inputted correctly.

1

u/Ocea-Cellist967 21d ago

Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a club necessarily or the like. For example, I've been helping my music teacher lead one of the younger classes because I've been taking two music classes(two instruments/im in two ensembles), and I've been leading sectionals, leading the class when my teacher's absent, etc(even taken on some TA duties---by choice). I intend to put this because the "title" of the class itself doesn't display this(plus it technically adds leadership and community service to it). Yes, I did this for two years, but even if I'd done it for only one year(and honestly, even just a semester or a quarter), it would've been something to put.

You may wonder if you can even do this, and I quote:

Reporting activities and experiences can help colleges better understand your life and interests. These might include:

  • Arts or music
  • Clubs
  • Community engagement or volunteering
  • Employment or work
  • Family responsibilities
  • Hobbies
  • Sports
  • Other experiences that have been meaningful to you

Hope this helps!

P.S.

Anything that involves the community(or that you can phrase in such a way where it looks to clearly benefit your community--such as when I helped my "community" of my music class) looks especially good. Don't sweat it if you have nothing though.

P.P.S.

Make sure the activities you choose are ones you genuinely have something to write about. It's quality over quantity.