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An important point here to notice. When it comes to research activities, it becomes more difficult to show impact than other activities due to the nature of these activities. Compared to volunteering, for example, you can show your impact more easily due to the quantitative nature. Mention the number of ppl you help, amount of money raised.. Etc. But research is more harder as there's no numbers to say. So in ur opinion when it comes to these activities, how should it be approached? & should u still try and use numbers?
@AlexVon-vw1kb not the creator, but assuming that you published the research, you still have plenty of ways to show significance like the number of citations the paper has received, peer reviews, awards given, stats from reserch and sample sizes used in the reserch paper, anyone notable that has collaborated with you to create the reserch are all ways to put the importance of your reserch in a tangible form.
really appreciate your efforts putting out this video! i have a question I've been working out for 1 year and a half and transformed my body from 58 kg to 78kg should i include that in the activity section or is it useless to put?
I don't have honors/achievements as such but i did take part in competitions so, i was wondering that should I put them in the honors/achievements section or general activities section?
Hey, you should include it in your activities section if it was a long term thing. If it was a one off event, where you won something, include it in the honors/achievements.
idk why but i was so frustrated with this activity section before this video, Thanks you helped out a ton. But to be frank, I just don't get why even getting a higher education has to be soo complicated.
Should we include activities that were only from freshman year? Or is this a nuanced question/depends since the activity could be good if it's related to your major or if you made some sort of impact no matter if it's related to your intended major?
Depends… if it’s only freshman year, didn’t have any huge impact, and doesn’t relate to your major, it’s probably a good idea to skip over it. Don’t make them think you’re a quitter.
@@PrepworksEducation Ah I see, that's true, thanks for letting me know. BTW your videos are very helpful!! Also, what do you think about listing extracurriculars that are just regular hobbies that haven't made an impact besides just being a personal enjoyment (like creative writing/reading books)?
Glad the videos have helped! Regarding your question, listing hobbies can definitely be done on the activities list! Not only do they make you seem more human, but they also showcase your interests and personality. However, if you have other activities with measurable impact, those are probably better to list as you can convey your hobbies/interests alongside your story in essays!
You have direct impact on variables like tables cleared - but you can also mention other statistics that you may not have led, but instead, supported (customer satisfaction, helping manage % increase in customer traffic.. etc).. be creative!
Anything you do outside of school can be an extracurricular - so that includes tutoring. Not all your activities have to be outside of school. Clubs are a great way to start and also gain leadership roles!
Yes! We offer a membership plan that covers that at a fraction of the cost that other college consulting companies charge. Contact johnlug@mit.edu if you are interested or simply press the “Join” button on our profile.
If I had an “upward mobility” in my leadership position in the same organization throughout my high school years, for example being the historian my junior and being President my senior year, do I put them in two separate section? Cuz the roles are vastly different and I wanna show colleges how much I’ve accomplished in each role
Hey! This is a common issue for many students. List your highest/current role in the position title. Then, use the additional info section to list previous roles you’ve had.
Hello, I volunteered at one company, was a front-end developer, and worked on one project, what quantities can I put in it? But tbh it was small project with a small team(3 people) and can I write that there were 3 people in my team?
Hey! Typically if you list competitions in your extracurriculars, you would put the awards in the description of those activities. There is no hard set rule though - I would absolutely include the academic competition on your activities list.
Hello Sir, how I could have a chance so you could revise my activity list. The point is that I'm afraid that I get rejected just because of the activity list( knowing I'm the first ever silver medalist in the international physics olympiad in Syria) I will be grateful if you help
A research project has tons of numbers! If this was purely a project with unclear impact like $ raised, people benefiting from it.. etc, there are still tons of other factors you can write about. Here’s 2 ideas: 1. The amount of data collected (x amount of data points analyzed, comparisons to industry benchmarks) 2. Reach/influence of project (did you present it? win anything for it? gather feedback? etc!)
Absolutely! You can include the # of people you worked with/who worked under you if you managed a team. You can also mention the overall impact of the org.
If my stats and activities are sort of good (not so fancy, just a little bit better than average), then what's the chance of getting good amount of financial aid with low score in SAT?
It’ll depend on the college you are applying to. Typically, more selective colleges rarely give merit aid - but most will meet full demonstrated need. So, financial aid will be based off your family’s income, assets, investments.. etc.
Please if can someone answer bcs I need to submit application in a few days. For example to have introduction where I did the activity, with who, how etc..
Hey, you will not have room on the Common App Activities section for that. You are limited to 150 characters. If you wanted to elaborate on a very impactful extracurricular that you couldn’t possibility for in that, use your supplemental essays!
@@PrepworksEducationThanks, I managed to handle to 150 words. I am international student and I don't really know how it functions 😂. I wrote that before I saw your video. Do you think it is OK to do it like that?
Hello, I have followed all your advice and was wondering if you'd be able to comment on my activities list? As a low-income student I don't have the resoources to pay for admissions consultants or companies, so it will be totally apreciated. Please, thank you
hello thank u for the information. Im an international student. I have very good gpa its about 95% but unfortunately I couldn't take SAT exam . do u think that I can get into Ivy league (stanford and harvard specifically) or in any university in general by only my grades , good personal statement and extracurriculars??? pls be honest bcs applying is very pricey. do u have any tips for me in general?
Hello, the SAT should be the least of your worries. It will not make or break your application, as many colleges have test optional policies. The chances for international students are lower. However, if you have good grades, ecs etc you will qualify as a competitive applicant to many top colleges. You can have very good stats and an amazing essay and still be rejected. You can have not great stats and a “mediocre” essay and still be accepted. There is a lot of luck involved.
Hey! If it’s something that you did on your own with 0 association with any organization/your school etc, you can put something like “Freelance” or even “N/A” 👍
Captain of School Basketball Team - Lead and motivated the team, strategized on the court, and promoted teamwork and discipline. Member of Red Cross - Assisted in organizing community outreach, supported disaster relief efforts, and promoted health and safety awareness. Player on External Basketball Club Team - Competed in regional leagues, trained intensively, and honed advanced basketball skills. School Ambassador for 2 Years - Represented the school at events, facilitated communication between students and administration, and promoted school spirit. rate this
Granted it’s something impactful and big, you can elaborate more in one of your supplemental essays. Use the activity description to list a one line overarching service/theme, then pack #s. Your qualitative insight can be something regarding daily tasks, or maybe development, outreach etc.
hello sir, I had the AI Animation company, the character are made by AI system which is made by us. We had the net profit of ₹1,25,000 and I also got appreciation from Delhi's Education Minister. So can you please share how should potray this on activity list. It would be helpful, if you do it by stated example. Please and thank You
Hey, I've a doubt. Please help me. I'm an International student. Actually, My high school marks are not that much good (around 80 or 85%), but I've good sat 1500+. And My EC are also good include international delegate @harvard and Has start up etc etc. What's my chances for an ivy and could you please suggest me some tip
Hey, I won’t be doing a chancing or anything. As for tips, your stats are fine. Just be on the lookout for financial aid as an international student (if you need it), and also focus on your essays.
![[FULL COURSE] here's what IVY LEAGUE admissions *ACTUALLY* look for](/img/1.gif)
🎓 Join our FREE weekly newsletter: spikenews.substack.com/subscribe
👉 Learn secrets to scoring 1500+ on the SAT
👉 Access a curated list of opportunities, scholarships, and summer programs
👉 Get college admissions advice (extracurriculars, essays, etc.)
👉 Discover tips on studying, productivity, and student life-plus much more!
An important point here to notice. When it comes to research activities, it becomes more difficult to show impact than other activities due to the nature of these activities. Compared to volunteering, for example, you can show your impact more easily due to the quantitative nature. Mention the number of ppl you help, amount of money raised.. Etc. But research is more harder as there's no numbers to say.
So in ur opinion when it comes to these activities, how should it be approached? & should u still try and use numbers?
@AlexVon-vw1kb not the creator, but assuming that you published the research, you still have plenty of ways to show significance like the number of citations the paper has received, peer reviews, awards given, stats from reserch and sample sizes used in the reserch paper, anyone notable that has collaborated with you to create the reserch are all ways to put the importance of your reserch in a tangible form.
really appreciate your efforts putting out this video! i have a question I've been working out for 1 year and a half and transformed my body from 58 kg to 78kg should i include that in the activity section or is it useless to put?
I think if you spend a lot of time weekly working out, you should put in your activity list
Should we also add goals we reached while volunteered for example developed listening and teaching skills through mentoring younger students?
Yes, that would be considered impact!
@@PrepworksEducation ok thank you so much
I don't have honors/achievements as such but i did take part in competitions so, i was wondering that should I put them in the honors/achievements section or general activities section?
Hey, you should include it in your activities section if it was a long term thing. If it was a one off event, where you won something, include it in the honors/achievements.
Do you have a video for transfer application portal for common app?
idk why but i was so frustrated with this activity section before this video, Thanks you helped out a ton. But to be frank, I just don't get why even getting a higher education has to be soo complicated.
Glad it helped. I agree the process is super complicated… which it shouldn’t be.
Should we include activities that were only from freshman year? Or is this a nuanced question/depends since the activity could be good if it's related to your major or if you made some sort of impact no matter if it's related to your intended major?
Depends… if it’s only freshman year, didn’t have any huge impact, and doesn’t relate to your major, it’s probably a good idea to skip over it. Don’t make them think you’re a quitter.
@@PrepworksEducation Ah I see, that's true, thanks for letting me know. BTW your videos are very helpful!! Also, what do you think about listing extracurriculars that are just regular hobbies that haven't made an impact besides just being a personal enjoyment (like creative writing/reading books)?
Glad the videos have helped! Regarding your question, listing hobbies can definitely be done on the activities list! Not only do they make you seem more human, but they also showcase your interests and personality. However, if you have other activities with measurable impact, those are probably better to list as you can convey your hobbies/interests alongside your story in essays!
how do you write one for a hobby you do for fun? no impact just something that fills time in ur day. for ex thrifting or painting
What should you say is your EC doesn't have quantitative values? for example working as a busser at a restaurant?
You have direct impact on variables like tables cleared - but you can also mention other statistics that you may not have led, but instead, supported (customer satisfaction, helping manage % increase in customer traffic.. etc).. be creative!
what if I haven't done many activities outside school? like i have done one club, nothing else
does tutoring friends or siblings count?
Anything you do outside of school can be an extracurricular - so that includes tutoring.
Not all your activities have to be outside of school. Clubs are a great way to start and also gain leadership roles!
Are there any resources where I can submit my extra curricular list to you, and have it reviewed?
Yes! We offer a membership plan that covers that at a fraction of the cost that other college consulting companies charge. Contact johnlug@mit.edu if you are interested or simply press the “Join” button on our profile.
If I had an “upward mobility” in my leadership position in the same organization throughout my high school years, for example being the historian my junior and being President my senior year, do I put them in two separate section? Cuz the roles are vastly different and I wanna show colleges how much I’ve accomplished in each role
Hey! This is a common issue for many students. List your highest/current role in the position title. Then, use the additional info section to list previous roles you’ve had.
@PrepworksEducation where can i find the additional info , cuz i wanna add a portfolio and a pdf file but i don t see it anywhere
Hello, I volunteered at one company, was a front-end developer, and worked on one project, what quantities can I put in it?
But tbh it was small project with a small team(3 people) and can I write that there were 3 people in my team?
is it okay to write about academic competitions on a specific area if i already mentioned them in the Honors section?
Hey! Typically if you list competitions in your extracurriculars, you would put the awards in the description of those activities. There is no hard set rule though - I would absolutely include the academic competition on your activities list.
Hello Sir, how I could have a chance so you could revise my activity list.
The point is that I'm afraid that I get rejected just because of the activity list( knowing I'm the first ever silver medalist in the international physics olympiad in Syria)
I will be grateful if you help
How do I convey "impact" quantitatively if I'm trying to write about a personal research project?
give numbers
A research project has tons of numbers!
If this was purely a project with unclear impact like $ raised, people benefiting from it.. etc, there are still tons of other factors you can write about. Here’s 2 ideas:
1. The amount of data collected (x amount of data points analyzed, comparisons to industry benchmarks)
2. Reach/influence of project (did you present it? win anything for it? gather feedback? etc!)
@@PrepworksEducation if i worked on a project or an organization, should i be specific like what type of project or organization was it?
Absolutely! You can include the # of people you worked with/who worked under you if you managed a team. You can also mention the overall impact of the org.
hi, can i write about my research papers and online courses (for which i got certificates) in honors section?
Yes! You can list certificates or other recognitions in the honors section. 👍
Can we use chatgpt to edit our written description to make it standard.
That would depend on the individual colleges' AI policies!
If my stats and activities are sort of good (not so fancy, just a little bit better than average), then what's the chance of getting good amount of financial aid with low score in SAT?
It’ll depend on the college you are applying to. Typically, more selective colleges rarely give merit aid - but most will meet full demonstrated need. So, financial aid will be based off your family’s income, assets, investments.. etc.
When I describe activity can I do it with more description?
Please if can someone answer bcs I need to submit application in a few days.
For example to have introduction where I did the activity, with who, how etc..
Hey, you will not have room on the Common App Activities section for that. You are limited to 150 characters. If you wanted to elaborate on a very impactful extracurricular that you couldn’t possibility for in that, use your supplemental essays!
@@PrepworksEducationThanks, I managed to handle to 150 words. I am international student and I don't really know how it functions 😂. I wrote that before I saw your video. Do you think it is OK to do it like that?
I mean it’ll work.. if you are able to fit all of your accomplishments + impacts then it will be fine!
what if my ec does not involve quantifiable numbers like a research summer program?
Focus on what you accomplished during the program (without numbers ofc) and results (substitute for impact) of your research.
bro why is prepworks such a clutch
😘
Hello, I have followed all your advice and was wondering if you'd be able to comment on my activities list? As a low-income student I don't have the resoources to pay for admissions consultants or companies, so it will be totally apreciated. Please, thank you
hello thank u for the information. Im an international student. I have very good gpa its about 95% but unfortunately I couldn't take SAT exam . do u think that I can get into Ivy league (stanford and harvard specifically) or in any university in general by only my grades , good personal statement and extracurriculars??? pls be honest bcs applying is very pricey. do u have any tips for me in general?
Hello, the SAT should be the least of your worries. It will not make or break your application, as many colleges have test optional policies.
The chances for international students are lower. However, if you have good grades, ecs etc you will qualify as a competitive applicant to many top colleges.
You can have very good stats and an amazing essay and still be rejected. You can have not great stats and a “mediocre” essay and still be accepted. There is a lot of luck involved.
@@PrepworksEducation thank u for ur great response . thn im going to apply and see if it works out !
No problem! Best of luck!!
Is mentored and tutoring is the same? I mean why you use mentored here?
“Mentored” is a stronger action verb (stronger connotation of leadership/long-term guidance) compared to “tutored” :-)
@PrepworksEducation thank you, I'm an ESL student
Hey i had a question if i did activities but not under a organization what could I do.
For example what if someone does something with reading and they read over 150 books over the course of their High-school year
Hey! If it’s something that you did on your own with 0 association with any organization/your school etc, you can put something like “Freelance” or even “N/A” 👍
Captain of School Basketball Team - Lead and motivated the team, strategized on the court, and promoted teamwork and discipline.
Member of Red Cross - Assisted in organizing community outreach, supported disaster relief efforts, and promoted health and safety awareness.
Player on External Basketball Club Team - Competed in regional leagues, trained intensively, and honed advanced basketball skills.
School Ambassador for 2 Years - Represented the school at events, facilitated communication between students and administration, and promoted school spirit. rate this
I had a start up.
How can i portray this in good way in EC section, pls help
Granted it’s something impactful and big, you can elaborate more in one of your supplemental essays.
Use the activity description to list a one line overarching service/theme, then pack #s. Your qualitative insight can be something regarding daily tasks, or maybe development, outreach etc.
hello sir, I had the AI Animation company, the character are made by AI system which is made by us. We had the net profit of ₹1,25,000 and I also got appreciation from Delhi's Education Minister.
So can you please share how should potray this on activity list. It would be helpful, if you do it by stated example.
Please and thank You
Hey, I've a doubt. Please help me.
I'm an International student. Actually, My high school marks are not that much good (around 80 or 85%), but I've good sat 1500+. And My EC are also good include international delegate @harvard and Has start up etc etc.
What's my chances for an ivy and could you please suggest me some tip
Hey, I won’t be doing a chancing or anything. As for tips, your stats are fine. Just be on the lookout for financial aid as an international student (if you need it), and also focus on your essays.
nah fr
🤓
should we just use GPT?
No! AI won’t know what you did… only YOU do. The best course of action if you’re nervous is to ask an English teacher to help you out.